Senior Mechanical Engineer: Optical Payload, Space

Anduril Industries

Quick summary

Work type
On-site
Location
Costa Mesa, CA
Salary
$166,000–$220,000 / yr
Posted
today

Market check

Salary context

Above market

How this pay compares to similar roles

Similar $164k
This role $193k
$125k most similar roles pay here $230k

This role pays more than 86% of similar roles. Most pay $135,000–$193,000 — the shaded band above. At the midpoint, this role pays about $193k versus about $164k for comparable roles.

Based on 240 similar postings.

Employer

About Anduril Industries

Anduril Industries is a defense technology company that builds advanced hardware and software systems for national security, including autonomous drones, surveillance systems, and the Lattice AI command platform.

Anduril Industries currently has 1882 open roles on FindRole.

Listed pay typically runs $146,000–$194,000 across 1696 roles with salary data.

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View all roles at Anduril Industries

At a glance

TL;DR · Senior Mechanical Engineer: Optical Payload, Space

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Join our dynamic team as a Senior Mechanical Engineer specializing in optical payloads for space applications. You will create opto-mechanical designs ranging from small cameras to large telescopes, acting as the Responsible Engineer by conducting analyses and managing subsystem interfaces. Your daily tasks include running finite element models, tolerance stack-ups, and thermal analyses to ensure sub-arcsecond payload pointing stability. Proficiency in CAD, GD&T standards, and exotic materials like composites and titanium is essential, alongside experience with NX/Teamcenter and Python for analytical modeling. This role demands strong fundamentals in optics, heat transfer, and materials science, along with the ability to mentor junior engineers and lead design reviews.

Skills

NX Teamcenter Python MATLAB C++ CAD GD&T Finite Element Analysis Thermal Analysis High-reliability Design Athermalization Vibration Testing Shock Resistance PCB Design Data Acquisition Post-processing

What you'll do

  • Create opto-mechanical designs for space payloads from small cameras to large telescopes.
  • Conduct analyses and manage subsystem interfaces as Responsible Engineer.
  • Run finite element models and hand calculations to predict stresses in components.
  • Evaluate structural and thermal effects on optical performance through STOP analyses.
  • Design alignment features enabling sub-arcsecond payload pointing over temperature ranges.

What we're looking for

  • 5+ years of mechanical design experience with a track record of success.
  • Experience with exotic opto-mechanical materials and tolerance stack-ups.
  • Proficiency in CAD for creating engineering drawings to industry standards.
  • Strong fundamentals in optics, heat transfer, statics, solid mechanics, and materials.
  • Hands-on fabrication skills and ability to conduct structural and thermal analyses.
  • Ability to obtain and hold U.S. Top Secret security clearance.
  • Experience with high-reliability design, athermalization, and vibration/shock resistance.

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