Mechanical Launch Integration Engineer, Space at Anduril · Costa Mesa

ABOUT THE TEAM

Anduril's Space team is dedicated to expanding our AI-powered capabilities into the final frontier, enhancing Space Domain Awareness, Space Control, and Command and Control for U.S. military and allied partners. We're developing fully integrated hardware and software systems, including Lattice for Space Missions and modular payloads, to address growing threats in space and ensure our Guardians maintain a decisive advantage in this contested warfighting domain.

ABOUT THE JOB

You'll own launch integration for spacecraft programs from kick-off through separation on orbit, serving as the primary technical interface to the launch vehicle provider.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Author and negotiate Launch Requirements Documents and Interface Control Documents (ICDs) that define the mechanical, electrical, and environmental interfaces between the spacecraft and launch vehicle
• Coordinate delivery of analysis and data products to and from the launch provider – mass properties, coupled loads analysis (CLA) inputs and results, structural and thermal FEMs, separation and clearance analyses, range safety documentation, MSDS, and test reports
• Define and verify spacecraft compatibility with launch environments (quasi-static, vibration, acoustic, shock, and thermal), reconciling launch provider levels against the spacecraft design and test program
• Own the verification and compliance matrix against launch provider requirements for spacecraft and payloads
• Plan and lead launch site operations – transport, fit-checks, propellant loading support, integrated testing, encapsulation, and day-of-launch activities
• Support integration and readiness reviews (e.g., MRR, LRR, FRR) and present launch readiness status internally and to customers
• Work with internal teams and government agencies to obtain the required licenses and approvals (FAA, FCC, NOAA, etc.) and comply with range safety and orbital debris mitigation regulations for launching spacecraft
• Triage issues, conduct root cause investigations, and drive lessons learned from each launch campaign into simpler, more standardized processes across programs
• Create excellent technical documentation – integration plans, interface control documents, procedures, test reports
• Travel to launch sites, ranges, and vendors as needed, including extended and international campaign support and off-nominal launch operations

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• BS or higher degree in engineering or a hard science, ideally in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering
• Experience conducting launch integration operations with an emphasis on simplicity, safety, and reliability
• Experience interfacing with launch vehicle providers and spacecraft development teams, including the products exchanged – ICDs, mass properties, coupled loads, environments, and separation systems
• Ability to quickly understand and navigate detailed requirements
• Highly motivated and capable of solving complex technical problems with little oversight
• Clear communication and organizational skills including documentation and training material
• Excellent attention to detail
• Willing to establish scope and requirements for ill-defined problems
• A desire to work on critical spacecraft systems in support of the U.S. government and her allies
• Be able to obtain and hold a U.S. Top Secret security clearance

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience writing code or automating functions to improve efficiency and delivery to customers and launch providers (Python, MATLAB, etc.)
• Experience supporting spacecraft environmental test campaigns (structural, thermal-vacuum, EMI/EMC)
• Experience designing and integrating mechanical and electrical ground support equipment for environmental test and launch integration campaigns
• Familiarity with launch vehicle user’s guides and with ride-share and dedicated launch provider interface and environmental requirements
• Direct experience running coupled loads, separation and clearance, or structural and thermal analyses
• Experience working as a stack integrator and coordinating interfaces across multiple spacecraft providers
• Familiarity with range safety, launch licensing, and orbital debris mitigation (e.g., FAA Part 450, ODMSP, NASA-STD-8719.14)