Manufacturing Engineer

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.

ABOUT THE TEAM

Anduril’s Manufacturing Engineering team is responsible for rapidly iterating, scaling, and sustaining cutting-edge defense hardware, including static sensor towers, autonomous ground systems, and high-performance flight vehicles. We bridge the gap between design engineering and physical hardware execution.

As a Manufacturing Engineer on 1st Shift (6:00 am to 3:00 pm), you will serve as the primary mechanical and assembly authority on the factory floor. You will have a dual mandate: partner deeply with R&D during early architecture to drive rigorous Design for Assembly and Manufacturing (DFA/DFM), and architect the physical assembly processes, precision tooling, and integration lines required to scale complex mechanical hardware from prototype to high-rate production.

This is a heavily mechanical, hands-on role. You will design assembly fixtures in 3D CAD, perform tolerance stack-up analyses, define structural joining and bonding procedures, integrate smart-tooling systems, and establish repeatable, error-proofed mechanical assembly lines.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Design for Assembly & Manufacturability (DFA/DFM):
  • Embed directly with Mechanical Design Engineering during early R&D phases to influence product architecture, driving aggressive part reduction, standard fastener consolidation, and modular sub-assembly design.
  • Conduct detailed 1D and 2D worst-case and statistical (RSS) tolerance stack-up analyses to ensure mechanical interfaces, datum structures, dynamic clearances, and pin/hole alignments assemble consistently without force-fitting.
  • Define hardware assembly strategies, joint clamping designs, thermal interface material (TIM) applications, structural bonding, and torque sequencing early in the CAD development cycle.
• Tooling, Jigs, & Assembly Fixture Design:
  • Own end-to-end mechanical design of production tooling—including precision assembly jigs, alignment nests, press-fit tooling, ergonomic lift/handling equipment, and mechanical verification fixtures using 3D CAD (NX or SolidWorks).
  • Apply finite element analysis (FEA) where necessary to validate fixture rigidity, deflection under clamping loads, and stress concentrations.
  • Produce fully detailed 2D fabrication drawings utilizing ASME Y14.5 Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T) for internal machine shops or external toolmakers.
• Mechanical Assembly Process Engineering:
  • Line Architecture & Flow: Design, sequence, and balance complex, multi-stage mechanical assembly lines. Define takt times, line layouts, and ergonomic workstations to transition hardware seamlessly from sub-assembly to final structural integration.
  • Joining & Fastening Technologies: Establish and qualify robust fastening processes, including torque-tension specifications, torque-angle control, bolt pre-load engineering, and press-fit/interference-fit operations (bearings, bushings, dowels).
  • Adhesives, Sealing, & Dispensing: Develop repeatable application methods for chemical assembly processes, including structural bonding (epoxies, urethanes), thread locking, environmental gasketing/RTV sealing, potting, and Thermal Interface Material (TIM) dispensing.
  • Precision Mechanical Alignment & Calibration: Develop standard processes, measurement techniques, and alignment procedures for precision kinematic mechanisms, optical/sensor payloads, gimbals, and dynamic structural joints.
  • Error-Proofing & Quality Integration: Lead Process Failure Mode and Effects Analyses (pFMEAs) for mechanical assembly workflows. Design physical error-proofing (Poka-Yoke) mechanisms, go/no-go verification gauges, and smart-tool integration (DC electric torque tools with digital data logging) to eliminate assembly errors.
  • Work Definition & Operator Enablement: Author visual, step-by-step Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and digital work instructions that clearly define mechanical assembly sequences, critical tool callouts, fastener specs, and quality inspection gates.
• NPI Ramp, Sustainment, & Root Cause Analysis:
  • Lead technical disposition and first-principles root-cause investigations (8D, 5-Whys, Fishbone) on mechanical assembly failures, binding mechanisms, structural interferences, and joint integrity issues.
  • Bridge the gap between engineering intent and production execution by converting Engineering Bills of Materials (eBOMs) into logical, modular Manufacturing Bills of Materials (mBOMs) within PLM (Teamcenter).
  • Author and implement Engineering Change Orders (ECOs/ECRs) for mechanical modifications, hardware deviations, and assembly drawing updates.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a closely related technical field.
• 3+ years of experience in manufacturing or mechanical design role with heavy exposure to mechanical assembly and hardware integration (aerospace, defense, automotive, dynamic robotics, or precision industrial hardware).
• Proficiency in 3D CAD modeling (Siemens NX strongly preferred; SolidWorks, CATIA, or Creo acceptable) with a strong portfolio of designed and deployed assembly tooling, nests, or fixtures.
• Advanced working knowledge of ASME Y14.5 GD&T—ability to design assembly datum reference frames, analyze tolerances, and inspect mating parts.
• Deep understanding of mechanical assembly techniques: threaded fastener engineering, interference/press fits, structural adhesives/bonding, torque-tension monitoring, precision shimming, and mechanical alignment techniques.
• Demonstrated experience conducting tolerance stack-up analyses and applying DFA/DFM principles to mechanical assemblies.
• Strong mechanical problem-solving ability grounded in first-principles physics (mechanics of materials, kinematics, statics).
• U.S. Person status is required as this position needs to access export-controlled data.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 5+ years of experience taking complex structural or electro-mechanical assemblies from initial prototyping through full-rate production (NPI lifecycle).
• Experience implementing smart assembly tooling and integrating digital torque/angle tracking into Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES).
• Hands-on machining and fabrication skills (mill, lathe, 3D printing, press brakes) for rapid prototype tooling and shop-floor iteration.
• Experience with mechanical process validation, including Measurement System Analysis (Gage R&R) and Statistical Process Control ( Cpk / Ppk ).
• Working familiarity with PLM systems (Siemens Teamcenter) and modern ERP/MES platforms.