Chief Engineer, Fury Design | Arsenal-1

Anduril Anduril · Defense · Ashville, OH · Air Dominance & Strike : Autonomous Airpower Engineering : Chief Engineering

Chief Engineer for Fury System Architecture & Design at Anduril, a defense technology company. This role focuses on defining and optimizing the system architecture, core functionalities, and performance of the Fury UAS from concept to validation. It involves leading multi-disciplinary design teams, driving critical design decisions, and collaborating with various engineering and autonomy teams. The position requires extensive experience in aerospace system architecture, deep technical design, and full lifecycle development of complex autonomous flight systems, with a strong emphasis on engineering tools and analysis. While AI/ML integration is a preferred qualification, the core of the role is in aerospace system engineering and design.

What you'd actually do

  1. Define the end-to-end technical vision, system architecture, and strategic design roadmap for Fury UAS, translating mission requirements into innovative engineering solutions.
  2. Lead the conceptualization, detailed design, multi-domain analysis (aerodynamics, structures, thermal, EMI/EMC), and rigorous optimization of all Fury subsystems (airframe, propulsion, avionics, flight controls, sensors, autonomy hardware) for unparalleled performance, reliability, and survivability.
  3. Lead and mentor multi-disciplinary design engineering teams (aerospace, mechanical, electrical, software, GNC, autonomy hardware) through the full product design lifecycle.
  4. Drive critical design decisions, trade studies, and technical risk assessments that define Fury's capabilities.
  5. Collaborate intimately with Systems Engineering, Software, Autonomy, and GNC teams for seamless integration and optimal overall system performance.

Skills

Required

  • Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical, Systems Engineering, or a related field.
  • 10+ years progressive leadership in aerospace system architecture, deep technical design, and full lifecycle development of complex autonomous flight systems, including leading multi-disciplinary design teams through conceptualization, detailed design, and rigorous validation.
  • Proven ability to define, decompose, and manage complex system requirements, architecting innovative solutions and guiding technical trade-offs.
  • Strong track record delivering groundbreaking, high-performing aerospace designs, balancing ambition with rigorous analysis and integrity.
  • Deep and broad understanding of aerospace system architecture, flight dynamics, propulsion, avionics, sensor integration, autonomy hardware/software, and complex flight control systems.
  • Expertise in Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and proficiency with advanced analytical/simulation tools (CFD, FEA, MATLAB/Simulink) for design optimization and performance prediction.
  • Excellent problem-solving skills with a data-driven, first-principles-based, and results-oriented mindset.
  • Effective communicator capable of driving alignment across highly technical, multi-disciplinary engineering teams and influencing senior technical and business stakeholders.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance.

Nice to have

  • Post-graduate degree (Master's or Ph.D.) in a relevant engineering discipline.
  • Experience architecting entirely new aerospace platforms or revolutionary system concepts from a blank slate.
  • Direct experience integrating AI/ML-driven decision-making, perception, and advanced autonomy into core flight system designs.
  • Expertise in advanced materials science and structural design for extreme aerospace environments.
  • Experience in a high-growth startup or advanced R&D defense environment, emphasizing agile design iteration and rapid proof-of-concept validation.
  • Professional certifications such as CSEP, INCOSE ESEP.
  • Track record managing design engineering across multiple concurrent, complex aerospace programs.
  • Familiarity with digital twin technologies for design validation, virtual commissioning, and predictive performance analytics during the design phase.
  • Prior experience leading 'design-to-cost' and 'design-to-performance' initiatives from concept through verification.

What the JD emphasized

  • 10+ years progressive leadership in aerospace system architecture, deep technical design, and full lifecycle development of complex autonomous flight systems, including leading multi-disciplinary design teams through conceptualization, detailed design, and rigorous validation.
  • Direct experience integrating AI/ML-driven decision-making, perception, and advanced autonomy into core flight system designs.