Integration and Test Engineer - Powerplant, Omen

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 is seeking an Integration & Test Engineer, Powerplant to join the Maneuver Dominance team at our Costa Mesa HQ. This role supports integration and test of the hybrid powertrain system for Omen, an advanced Group 3 VTOL tail-sitting aircraft. In this role you will execute powerplant test activities across bench, test cell, surrogate, and flight test environments. This is a hands-on, execution-focused individual contributor role: the right person splits time between engineering tasks (test plans, reports, fixture design, test software configuration) and hands-on work (build, instrumentation install, mechanical setup) rather than directing others to do it. Aviation powerplant background is preferred but not required -- strong candidates from automotive, motorsport, marine, or other complex internal combustion/turbine test backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

ABOUT THE JOB

Anduril is seeking an Integration & Test Engineer, specializing in Surrogate Testing 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 lead the planning, integration, and execution of flight test activities using surrogate platforms, including crewed test-beds with representative payload pods, full-size mock-ups, and powertrain rigs to characterize and demonstrate subsystem performance in representative environments before integration into air vehicles. All of this 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.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Draft, review, and execute right-sized test plans for powerplant component and system-level testing, covering engines, generators, engine controls (FADEC/ECU), fuel systems, exhaust, and transmission
• Conduct hands-on characterization and performance testing of internal combustion and/or turbine engines on bench rigs and test cells/dynamometers; support altitude and environmental chamber testing as programs mature
• Write clear, timely test reports capturing results, anomalies, and recommendations as inputs to design
• Design, build, and maintain test fixtures, jigs, and mounting/mechanical setups needed to safely integrate hardware into a test article
• Configure and operate test software and data acquisition systems (e.g., DAQ platforms, vendor FADEC/ECU calibration and tuning tools) to capture, reduce, and report test data
• Build basic test harnesses, install instrumentation install, and build mechanical systems
• Coordinate directly with engine, generator, and genset vendors/suppliers on test support, data reviews, fixturing, and issue resolution, representing Omen I&T as an organized and responsive point of contact
• Support integration and troubleshooting of engines, generators, engine controls, fuel systems, exhaust, and transmission components across bench and system test environments
• Follow and help maintain safety protocols for high voltage, rotating machinery, fuel, and hot-section hazards during integration and test
• Maintain configuration control for powerplant test hardware, fixtures, and data
• Support Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), ground test, and flight test of prototype and production representative systems
  
  

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Systems, or related engineering discipline, or equivalent hands-on experience in engine/powerplant test
• 3+ years of experience testing internal combustion engines (2-stroke and/or 4-stroke) and/or turbine engines -- genset (combined engine + generator) experience a strong plus
• Direct experience with engine characterization and performance testing: dynamometer operation, fuel system characterization, FADEC/ECU calibration, and fault diagnosis
• Demonstrated ability to draft test plans and write clear, actionable test reports
• Comfortable designing and building test fixtures, jigs, and mechanical setups, and doing hands-on bench/technician work in addition to engineering tasks
• Experience configuring and operating test software and data acquisition systems
• Test engineering fundamentals: DAQ setup and operation, sensor selection and installation, and fluency in at least one common communication protocol (CAN, Ethernet, or Serial)
• Extremely organized and an effective communicator, with experience coordinating directly with vendors/suppliers
• A sincere commitment to a positive, inclusive, and collaborative cultur

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Prior experience testing gensets (engine + generator as a combined system)
• Altitude or environmental chamber test experience
• Exposure to high voltage systems (e.g., genset electric machine/generator output)
• Aviation powerplant test experience (automotive, motorsport, marine, or other complex engine/turbine backgrounds are equally valued)
• Trade or mechanic qualifications

US Salary Range 167000 - 222000 USD