Tbwa Chiat/Day Inc is hiring: Head of Hardware, Space in Costa Mesa

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.

As the Head of Hardware for our Space team, you will own the coordination of all resources involving mechanical, structural, thermal, electrical, firmware, propulsion, RF, testing, etc. and the build out of the team for successful execution across programs and internal R&D efforts. You will be responsible for the technical alignment of the hardware development roadmap of products for execution on current programs and increasing the differentiation for Anduril Space aligned with future program captures. You must demonstrate the ability to assert best practices of space design while utilizing additional innovations in order to promote increased speed and flexibility. You shall exhibit technical depth in ground and space components and full systems while effectively communicating up and outside the business line organization.

The Head of Hardware should have a strong technical background in at least one or more disciplines: PCBA design, Firmware, RF, GNC, Structural/Thermal analysis, electrical or mechanical engineering of complex space systems. The Head of Hardware will work closely with the Chief Engineers of programs to ensure appropriate staffing and alignment of the engineering best practices for delivering reliable and robust hardware solutions while maintaining close collaboration with the software counterparts.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Own the team responsible for the development of all hardware components across the entirety of the space business line portfolio.
• Work closely with ensuring appropriate staffing and enabling programs and their representative Chief Engineers to deliver on customer requirements.
• Lead the technical execution of new systems that includes ground systems and space vehicle systems design, fabrication, testing, and productization.
• Lead the long-term functional engineering team development roadmap to ensure we have the skillsets, capabilities, and workflows to enable successful execution of current and future programs.
• Collaborate across multiple teams to plan, build, and test complex functionality.
• Coordinate with end-users, other operators, and customers to turn needs into features while balancing user experience with engineering constraints.
• Support challenging schedules during ground testing, launch windows, and on-orbit operations of the spacecraft systems.
• Establish a center of excellence in space systems design.
• Find, hire, manage, and mentor the team of internal and external subject matter experts, and communicate the vision for delivery of robust and reliable space systems hardware solutions.
• Partner closely with the business lines in areas of proposal capture, customer interface, resource planning, capital expenditures, and program schedules.
• Work with senior leadership to ensure resource plans are adequate.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong engineering background from industry or school, ideally in areas/fields such as Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or other engineering degree.
• Ability to quickly understand and navigate complex systems and detailed requirements.
• Capable of solving complex technical problems with little oversight.
• Clear communication and organizational skills including documentation and training material.
• Must be eligible to obtain and hold a US DoD security clearance (Secret, Top Secret, TS with SCI).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 15+ years of experience in a senior role leading space vehicle program from initial concept through test and delivery to customers.
• A desire to work on critical hardware designs in the space domain.
• Experience with testing/validation leveraging FlatSats, Hardware-in-the-Loop testbeds through nominal and fault scenarios.
• Exposure to spacecraft environmental test procedures, standards, and campaigns for successful delivery of spacecraft systems.
• Experience creating teams and focusing them around a common vision.
• Deep understanding and previous systems leadership of Space systems design, employment, and sustainment.

US Salary Range

$228,000 - $342,000 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.
• 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 (e.g., 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.
• 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)

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.