- Robot type
- Drone · Defense
- Location
- Costa MesaCaliforniaUSA
- Job type
- Hardware
- Posted
- Aug 25, 2026
- Salary
- $253,000–$336,000 a year
Full-time
Principal Propulsion Engineer, Air Vehicles (Air Breathing Engine Integration)
Job description
The Air Dominance & Strike Propulsion Integration team is responsible for designing and integrating advanced hardware for Group 5 air vehicles and across missile platforms . Air Dominance & Strike Propulsion Engineers own the full development lifecycle, from concept generation, to integration and flight test, ensuring high-performance, resilient, and scalable mechanical systems that meet the demands of complex, contested environments.
Anduril Industries is a defense technology company with a mission to transform U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology.
Job responsibilities
- Serve as a lead or key contributor in the selection, architecting, and integration of aircraft engines, engine components, and engine controls on unmanned air vehicles (UAVs).
- Design, fabricate, and test prototype components and control systems.
- Plan, instrument, and execute tests of aircraft propulsion systems.
- Coordinate with engine vendors, develop strategic partnerships, and manage development projects.
- Lead or support critical hardware demonstrations with customers as needed.
- Critical member of team supporting CAD design for inlet / exhaust shaping, surfaces and structures.
- Travel to test sites as needed.
Job requirements
- Bachelor's degree or higher in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Electrical Engineering.
- 15+ years of propulsion engineering experience on air vehicles (manned or unmanned).
- Professional experience with jet engines in the 250-20,000 lbf thrust class.
- Mastery of engine cycle decks and thermodynamic modeling; ability to influence engine OEM design decisions to match vehicle requirements.
- Served as the Chief Engineer or ultimate technical authority on a major propulsion program, defining technology roadmaps and architectural baselines.
- Experience identifying and selecting strategic propulsion suppliers, managing critical OEM relationships, and establishing qualified supply chains.
- Experience defining comprehensive propulsion test programs (including static / ground off wing testing, qualification, acceptance, flight-test readiness) and troubleshooting system level anomalies.
- Experience advising executive leadership on technical risks, representing the company to key customers / government agencies, and mentoring mid-to-senior level engineers.