UAV Flight Test Manager

Anduril Industries is a defense technology company with a mission to transform U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology. By bringing the expertise, technology, and business model of the 21st century’s most innovative companies to the defense industry, Anduril is changing how military systems are designed, built and sold. Anduril’s family of systems is powered by Lattice OS, an AI-powered operating system that turns thousands of data streams into a realtime, 3D command and control center. As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril is committed to bringing cutting-edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the military in months, not years.

This position will be filled by a highly motivated Manager with a passion for developmental flight test of UAS and revolutionary products contributing valued aviation and mechanical expertise in all fields of aircraft flight and ground maintenance. You will work heavily with the engineering leadership, program leadership, and a wide spectrum of cross-departments to help build a team focused on solving hard problems. The role will be responsible for managing a team of flight test operators supporting aircraft mechanical assessment, maintenance coordination, flight execution, and reporting on all facets of aircraft readiness to the test program. The expectation for this role will be approximately 20% management and 80% operational. This role will support the Anduril Integrated Systems Division to include the Intelligence Systems, Discovery, Air Defense, and Counter-Intrusion Business Lines.

The Test and Evaluation team at Anduril works across the entire spectrum of products and business lines, as well as all flight operations and test range management. Our team conducts full system level development testing, new production acceptance testing, sub-component qualification testing and much more. In short, if it involves test, we support it. If you are interested in working in an extremely innovative and fast paced environment, where your work directly makes an impact and difference in the products that are fielded this a fantastic opportunity.

What You’ll Do

• Manage test pilots, flight test operators, and other flight related personnel resources to support all Anduril Integrated System test and evaluation events requiring flight operations.
• Lead by example. You will be expected to provide strong leadership/mentorship for your team, while also continuing to support flight operations personally when needed.
• Ensure your team, including yourself, maintain all required training and certifications required to perform their jobs (includes both Anduril internal requirements and external requirements such as FAA)
• Ensure your team is conducting flight operations safely, legally, and in coordination with Anduril policy
• Advise internal and external leadership on your teams flight capabilities and other capabilities that exist throughout the Anduril test ecosystem.
• Travel on short notice to fulfill operational needs if and when those needs arise.
• Maintain a high degree of professionalism including punctuality and culpability.
• As required, perform duties as Pilot in Command or Safety Pilot during flight operations, and manage the responsibilities associated with that position.
• As required, prepare missions that meet engineering requirements.
• Coordinate or provide training/professional developmental to coworkers under the guidelines of Anduril as needed.
  
  

Required Qualifications

• 8+ years of hands-on professional experience working with UAV’s or equivalent military experience as a UAV operator, maintenance technician, or Crew Chief.
• Ability to travel up to 60% routinely and higher if needed
• Possess a SECRET or higher US Security clearance
• Possess, with the ability to maintain, a FAA part 107 certificate
• Aptitude for leadership and desire to be a people leader first, manager second.
• Demonstrated ability to train/lead peers and/or customers on the operation of a product.
• Understand and comply with FAA regulations and other relevant aviation authorities' guidelines.

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• Experience in planning and executing UAS missions.
• Knowledge of risk management and safety protocols in UAS operations.
• Hands-on professional experience working Group 1-3 Unmanned Aerial Systems, including rotary wing, fixed wing and VTOL aircraft.
• Demonstrated understanding of flight operations, aircraft systems, and sensors.
• Demonstrated ability to solve problems in unstructured situations at the interface of hardware, software, and operations in pursuit of mission success.
• Experience working with cross-functional engineering teams and external customers; demonstrated ability to collect differing opinions and reconcile them in order to achieve agreement on what ‘right’ looks like.
• Able to work extended hours on test sites or in support of testing as required.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, UAS operations or related discipline.
• Possess, with the ability to maintain, a FAA part 61 certificate
• Developmental test experience.
• Demonstrated ability to support to multiple programs simultaneously.
• Experience with Ardupilot and aircraft communication
• Experience with aircraft maintenance
• Experience in resource allocation.
• Proficient with computer use (standard browser, word processing applications).
  
  

US Salary Range

$129,000—$183,000 USD

Healthcare Benefits

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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:

• 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.

To view Anduril's candidate data privacy policy, please visit https://anduril.com/applicant-privacy-notice/.