Staff Flight Test Instrumentation & Data Engineer

Anduril

Anduril

Data Science
Costa Mesa, CA, USA
Posted on Nov 14, 2024

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.

The Test and Evaluation Team at Anduril performs validation of Group 5 UAS. We work in close coordination with specialist teams like, Guidance, Navigation, and Control, Flight Sciences, Mission Systems, and Aircraft Maintenance to solve some of the hardest problems facing our customers. We are looking for experienced flight test instrumentation engineers with innovative ideas on how to stream line our data processing and data managing workflow for a Group 5 UAS.

As a Flight Test Instrumentation Engineer specializing in data processing and managing at Anduril, you will dive into unique, complex challenges that come with the territory of high-stakes, advanced technology in the defense sector. Your expertise will drive innovation in semi-autonomous systems, shaping the future of defense and intelligence with solutions that are deployed at unparalleled speed. If you're eager to leverage your skills in designing and developing FTI systems and optimizing data processing and management workflows in an environment that encourages bold ideas and offers the resources to turn them into reality, Anduril provides the perfect platform to propel your career and make a tangible difference in a world entering a new era of strategic competition. Join us and be part of the transformation that's setting new standards for military capabilities and security.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

  • Collaborate cross-functionally with UAS discipline engineers, the Customer, Airworthiness subject matter experts, and program managers to inform safety of test, safety of flight, strategic decisions, and positively impact 'speed-to-ramp'.
  • Develop requirements, architecture, system design, test methods and operation for the flight test instrumentation, data acquisition system, data network, telemetry, data processing and data managing systems for a UAS.
  • Fabricate and install flight test instrumentation sensors, data paths and equipment into one of a kind experimental aircraft, often utilizing novel approaches. This includes the fabrication of wire harnesses and routing through aircraft structure, often working directly with other integrated product teams to support program goals.
  • Create a workflow for data processing and managing that encrypts, downloads, de-commutates, decrypts, reduces, stores, and transmits data internally and to the Customer at various classification levels.
  • Manage and configure the aircraft instrumentation system to provide real time data for mission monitoring as well as logged data for post-flight analysis.
  • Be the company Leader in writing data reduction, storage, and retrieval scripts, as well as mentoring other to do the same.
  • Maintain flight test data at the appropriate levels of classification, including Secret and above.
  • Implement and enforce a data-at-rest, network attached storage solution for flight test data, and help design other aspects of ground and airborne data services.
  • Write software algorithms that make flight test data available sooner than standard industry solutions
  • Develop, implement, and optimize creative approaches to UAS data infrastructure, including the creation and management of software tools, data catalogs, and robust data pipelines that facilitate efficient data extraction, transformation, and delivery of high-quality data products for internal use, Customer use, and stakeholder presentation.
  • Spearhead technical investigations to diagnose data storage and transfer issues and support technical forensic investigations.
  • Provide leadership in the handling of flight test data including solutions to improve system reliability and efficiency.
  • Design and implement analytics-driven customer-facing products that showcase system performance metrics, provide trend analysis, and enhance user understanding and experience with our semi-autonomous UAS.
  • Travel from Anduril HQ to establish FTI and RF telemetry solutions in the high desert of California, Nevada, Texas, and Oregon up to 50% of the time.

CORE QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Applied Math, Electrical, Mechanical, or Mechatronics Engineering, or a related field.
  • 5+ years notable experience with designing and developing flight test instrumentation systems and processing and storing data from embedded acquisition systems in manned or unmanned aircraft.
  • Exceptional data visualization skills, with proficiency in using analytical tools (e.g., MATLAB, LabVIEW, Simulink) to advise the translation of complex data into accessible visual formats for diverse audiences.
  • Demonstrated expertise in reducing data from high channel count (e.g. 100-400 measurands) mechanical measurement systems.
  • A strong commitment to applying data science to solve real-world problems, with the ability to translate technical findings into actionable recommendations that have a tangible impact.
  • Current US Person status (U.S. citizen or permanent resident) with the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) Secret Clearance or higher. Prior clearance or experience working in secure environments is highly desirable.
  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to engage effectively with multidisciplinary teams, including engineers, program managers, and non-technical stakeholders.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Master of Science or B.S. plus 10 years experience designing and developing flight test instrumentation systems and writing data reduction scripts for flight test data management on Group 5 UAS.
  • 5+ years experience setting up test data retrieval and playback with the Interactive Analysis and Display System (IADS).
  • Knowledge of best practices for architecting data storage and retrieval systems.
  • Leadership experience, with the ability to mentor less experienced discipline engineers and lead project teams in the execution of complex data storage and transfer initiatives.
  • Experience working with 'Data-at-rest' multi-domain, encrypted storage devices on aircraft.
US Salary Range
$142,000$185,000 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:

  • Platinum Healthcare Benefits: For U.S. roles, we offer top tier platinum coverage (medical, dental, vision) that are 100% covered by Anduril for you and 90% covered for your dependents.
    • For UK roles, Private Medical Insurance (PMI): Anduril will cover the full cost of the insurance premium for an employee and dependents.
    • For AUS roles, Private health plan through Bupa: Coverage is fully subsidized by Anduril.
  • Basic Life/AD&D and long-term disability insurance 100% covered by Anduril, plus the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your dependents.
  • Extremely generous company holiday calendar including a holiday hiatus in December, and highly competitive PTO plans.
  • 16 weeks of paid Caregiver & Wellness Leave to care for a family member, bond with your baby, or tend to your own medical condition.
  • Family Planning & Parenting Support: Fertility (eg, IVF, preservation), adoption, and gestational carrier coverage with additional benefits and resources to provide support from planning to parenting.
  • Mental Health Resources: We provide free mental health resources 24/7 including therapy, life coaching, and more. Additional work-life services, such as free legal and financial support, available to you as well.
  • A professional development stipend is available to all Andurilians.
  • Daily Meals and Provisions: For many of our offices this means breakfast, lunch and fully stocked micro-kitchens.
  • Company-funded commuter benefits available based on your region.
  • Relocation assistance (depending on role eligibility).
  • 401(k) retirement savings plan - both a traditional and Roth 401(k). (US roles only)

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.

Anduril is an equal-opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. The Anduril team is made up of incredibly talented and unique individuals, who together are disrupting industry norms by creating new paths towards the future of defense technology. All qualified applicants will be treated with respect and receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, uniform service, Veteran status, age, or any other protected characteristic per federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the CA Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. We actively encourage members of recognized minorities, women, Veterans, and those with disabilities to apply, and we work to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all applicants throughout the interview process. If you are someone passionate about working on problems that have a real-world impact, we'd love to hear from you!

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