Head of Manufacturing - Test Engineering

Company: Anduril Industries
Location: Costa Mesa
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

As the Head of Manufacturing Test Engineering, your role encompasses the strategic oversight and tactical management of production systems to support high-volume products at Arsenal. You are charged with ensuring rigorous testing protocols are in place, resulting in the consistent delivery of superior quality products to our customers. Furthermore, your leadership guarantees the fulfillment of manufacturing's test throughput requirements. This position demands an innovative approach to resolving complex testing challenges, advancing scalability, and enhancing our automation, throughput, user interfaces, and data analytics methodologies. WHAT YOU’LL DO Direct the manufacturing test engineering team, set objectives, guide initiatives, and assess team outcomes. Architect and oversee the manufacturing test strategy to ensure scalable operations across Anduril, transitioning from pre-production to full-scale output. Strategize and implement advancements in manufacturing testing, focusing on automation, uniformity, and operational streamlining. Evaluate test data, compile findings, and identify opportunities for product and process enhancements. Establish a robust test infrastructure capable of evaluating diverse hardware scales and complexities. Communicate strategic visions to key stakeholders, guiding the scaling of platforms from pre-production (LRIP) through to mass production (FRP). Collaborate with product development for design testability, ensuring seamless production integration. Lead the procurement and implementation of new test equipment, performing cost-benefit and ROI analyses as needed. Champion initiatives that enhance safety, reduce costs, improve quality, and increase productivity through testing. Develop test protocols within our digital tool stack and provide comprehensive training to technicians and engineers. Determine data collection needs and develop architecture for actionable reporting of data. Administer testing budgets and predict resource requirements for personnel, equipment, and materials. Implement comprehensive training and documentation to elevate team expertise and support knowledge transfer. Cultivate a culture focused on innovation, collaboration, and accountability in the engineering department. Act as the go-to technical authority for manufacturing test matters, advising on and troubleshooting complex issues. Design proactive maintenance and calibration protocols for manufacturing test equipment. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Electronics, Computer, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field. Minimum of 5 years of relevant industry experience leading manufacturing test engineering. Expertise in Linux, C#, Python, and NixOS. Solid experience with PCBA/electronic assembly testing and knowledge of testing standards. Proficiency in using electronic test equipment. Strong analytical skills for root cause analysis of non-conforming hardware. Familiar with Product Life Cycle (PLM) systems, Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), and Test Execution Systems (TES) Experience in managing projects that integrate electrical, mechanical, and software/firmware systems. Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS Advanced degree in a relevant engineering discipline. Demonstrated ability to lead the development of manufacturing test systems and teams. Proficiency in LabVIEW, MATLAB, and test automation. Knowledge of PCBA design, mechanical design, and ESS testing. Familiarity with various hardware communication protocols. Experience with HASS & ESS-related testing (Thermal, Vibration, etc.) Currently possesses and is able to maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance US Salary Range $190,000 - $285,000 USD The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Anduril's total compensation package. Additionally, Anduril offers top-tier benefits for full-time employees, including: Healthcare Benefits US Roles: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans at little to no cost to you. UK & AUS Roles: We cover full cost of medical insurance premiums for you and your dependents. IE Roles: We offer an annual contribution toward your private health insurance for you and your dependents. Additional Benefits Income Protection : Anduril covers life and disability insurance for all employees. Generous time off : Highly competitive PTO plans with a holiday hiatus in December. Caregiver & Wellness Leave is available to care for family members, bond with a new baby, or address your own medical needs. Family Planning & Parenting Support: Coverage for fertility treatments (e.g., IVF, preservation), adoption, and gestational carriers, along with resources to support you and your partner from planning to parenting. Mental Health Resources: Access free mental health resources 24/7, including therapy and life coaching. Additional work-life services, such as legal and financial support, are also available. Professional Development: Annual reimbursement for professional development Commuter Benefits: Company-funded commuter benefits based on your region. Relocation Assistance: Available depending on role eligibility. Retirement Savings Plan US Roles: Traditional 401(k), Roth, and after-tax (mega backdoor Roth) options. UK & IE Roles: Pension plan with employer match. AUS Roles: Superannuation plan. The recruiter assigned to this role can share more information about the specific compensation and benefit details associated with this role during the hiring process. Protecting Yourself from Recruitment Scams Anduril is committed to maintaining the integrity of our Talent acquisition process and the security of our candidates. We've observed a rise in sophisticated phishing and fraudulent schemes where individuals impersonate Anduril representatives, luring job seekers with false interviews or job offers. These scammers often attempt to extract payment or sensitive personal information. To ensure your safety and help you navigate your job search with confidence, please keep the following critical points in mind: No Financial Requests: Anduril will never solicit payment or demand personal financial details (such as banking information, credit card numbers, or social security numbers) at any stage of our hiring process. Our legitimate recruitment is entirely free for candidates. Please always verify communications: Direct from Anduril: If you receive an email from one of our recruiters, it will only come from an @anduril.com address. Via Agency Partner: If contacted by a recruiting agency for an Anduril role, their email will clearly identify their agency. If you suspect any suspicious activity, please verify the agency's authenticity by reaching out to contact@anduril.com . Exercise Caution with Unsolicited Outreach: If you receive any communication that appears suspicious, contains grammatical errors, or makes unusual requests, do not engage. Always confirm the sender's email domain is @anduril.com before providing any personal information or clicking on links. What to Do If You Suspect Fraud: Should you encounter any questionable or fraudulent outreach claiming to be from Anduril, please report it immediately to contact@anduril.com . Your proactive caution is invaluable in protecting your personal information and upholding the security and trustworthiness of our recruitment efforts. Data Privacy To view Anduril's candidate data privacy policy, please visit https://anduril.com/applicant-privacy-notice/ .

Keywords: Anduril Industries, Lake Elsinore , Head of Manufacturing - Test Engineering, Engineering , Costa Mesa, California