Principal Loads & Dynamics Engineer

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

Job Description:

ABOUT THE TEAM Anduril is seeking a Principal Loads and Dynamics Engineer to join the Omen team at our Costa Mesa HQ. Omen is Anduril’s hover-to-cruise autonomous air vehicle (AAV) that packs the endurance, payload, and mission flexibility of much larger airplanes into a novel runway-independent Group 3 platform. Omen can operate from ship decks, beaches, or remote island clearings, providing true runway independence and freedom of maneuver across defense and civilian domains. Omen is the first tail-sitter aircraft with a mass-production contract, with an order of 50 systems representing a decisive investment that anchors production and accelerates the development of future systems. You will work on new aircraft development in a lean, high-ownership culture where you directly shape the product and operate at a velocity to fly new designs within months, not years. ABOUT THE ROLE In this role, you will be responsible for the structural loads, dynamics, and aeroelasticity analysis of the Omen air vehicle. You will apply your knowledge and experience to ensure the structural integrity and dynamic stability of the airframe from concept through production, tackling the unique challenges posed by a tail-sitter platform operating across VTOL, transition, and forward flight modes. WHAT YOU'LL DO Develop structural loads analysis for air vehicles and systems to ensure structural integrity under various flight and ground conditions Generate and maintain integrated dynamics FEMs for use in loads derivation, aeroelastic flutter and other analyses Conduct aeroelastic and aeroservoelastic studies to predict and verify aircraft behavior Conduct flutter analysis to inform vehicle design and ensure flight safety Generate flight loads data in accordance with MIL and FAR specifications, such as FAR 23, 25, JSSG-2006, and other relevant standards Collaborate with design engineers to develop structural optimization strategies based on loads analysis results Prepare detailed technical reports and present findings to internal teams, management, and external customers Develop and perform dynamics testing, including vibration testing, modal testing, GVT, etc. Define instrumentation and perform data processing for flight loads data acquisition REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS High-ownership and a bias toward action – if you see a problem, you want to fix it BS or higher degree in engineering or applied physics with a focus in structures Deep understanding of statics, dynamics, solid mechanics, materials science, finite element analysis and dynamic testing 15 years of experience in a structures, loads or dynamics related role with high ownership and accountability for hardware outcomes Proficiency in the use of FEMAP/Nastran or similar Highly motivated, self-starting, and able to perform duties autonomously without supervision Very organized and willing to establish scope and requirements for ill-defined problems Passion for defending the United States and her allies Viewed as a top tier authority in their domain, with a track record of transformative contributions PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS A prior focus on aircraft flight loads, aeroelastic or flutter analysis, including transonic flight Ability to develop workflow automation tools Familiarity developing loads or structural compliance for JSSG-2006, FAR 23, 25, or similar Structural or dynamics testing experience (system identification, sine, random, shock, flight) – sensor selection, data acquisition, data post-processing US Salary Range $220,000 - $292,000 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, Coachella , Principal Loads & Dynamics Engineer, Engineering , Costa Mesa, California