Senior Mechanical Engineer, Components and Propulsion

Location: Costa Mesa, California, United States

Department: Templates: ENG

ABOUT THE JOB

At Anduril, our Mechanical Engineers, Components and Propulsion are at the forefront of defense technology, crafting high-impact, cutting-edge propulsion systems and high-performance mechanical components that redefine innovation. You'll dive into a diverse range of projects, partnering with brilliant minds across disciplines to engineer robust thermo-mechanical designs and efficient power delivery systems that empower our mission-critical operations. We're seeking talented Mechanical Engineers with specialized expertise in fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, turbomachinery, or advanced mechanical component design to contribute to projects that are shaping the future of defense.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Design & Analyze Propulsion Systems: Lead the conceptualization, design, and detailed engineering of novel propulsion systems (e.g., electric, turbofan, rocket, hybrid) including engines, motors, pumps, and associated fluidic or thermal management components, ensuring optimal performance and efficiency.
• Develop High-Performance Mechanical Components: Design and optimize critical mechanical components and subsystems, such as gearboxes, actuators, mechanisms, and structural elements, to meet stringent performance, reliability, and mass targets in extreme environments.
• Conduct Advanced Thermo-Fluid & Structural Analysis: Perform comprehensive simulations and analyses including Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Finite Element Analysis (FEA) for stress/thermal/vibration, and thermodynamic modeling to predict and validate system behavior.
• Prototype, Test & Validate: Drive the fabrication, assembly, and rigorous testing of propulsion prototypes and key components, developing test plans, executing experiments, collecting data, and performing root cause analysis to refine designs.
• Integrate & Optimize for Production: Collaborate closely with Systems, Electrical, Software, and Manufacturing teams to ensure seamless integration of propulsion and mechanical components into larger platforms, optimizing designs for manufacturability, maintainability, and scalability.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Educational Foundation & Experience: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering, coupled with 5+ years of direct, hands-on experience in propulsion system design, analysis, or the development of high-performance mechanical components.
• Propulsion System Expertise: Demonstrated experience with the design, analysis (e.g., thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, heat transfer, turbomachinery), and testing of propulsion systems (e.g., electric motors, internal combustion engines, jet engines, rocket engines).
• Advanced Simulation & Analysis Skills: Proficiency in relevant engineering analysis software, including CFD (e.g., ANSYS Fluent, OpenFOAM), FEA (e.g., ANSYS, Nastran), and multi-physics simulation tools.
• Mechanical Design & CAD Proficiency: Strong skills in detailed mechanical design using professional CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, CATIA, NX), with a solid understanding of GD&T, materials selection, and manufacturing processes relevant to high-performance components.
• Hands-on Testing & Data Analysis: Proven ability to plan, execute, and analyze results from propulsion or component-level testing, including familiarity with data acquisition systems, instrumentation, and experimental validation techniques.
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Top Secret security clearance.

This job post is inclusive of openings within various teams. Successful candidates will be matched to a specific team at a subsequent stage of the recruitment process.
The roles considered for this job post may require travel. The extent of travel will vary by role.