Senior Software Engineering Manager, VMS (Flight Software/Real Time Systems)

Job Application for Senior Software Engineering Manager, VMS (Flight Software/Real Time Systems) at Anduril Industries Senior Software Engineering Manager, VMS (Flight Software/Real Time Systems) Costa Mesa, California, United States Apply 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 The Vehicle Management Systems (VMS) software team, which is part of Anduril's Tactical Recon and Strike (TRS) division, develops flight computer vehicle software for small drones (Group 1–3). Are you passionate about avionics and flight software? Join us in refining the foundation for a common Vehicle Management System (VMS) that can be used across Group 1–3 UAVs. The team is enhancing the current Altius VMS to support modularity, clean abstractions, and faster new-aircraft development cycles—laying the groundwork for scalable, reusable flight software across the TRS product line. The right person for this role has experience in flight control software and embedded Linux or RTOS development. Joining early means you’ll directly shape how we scale—both in the volume of drones we build and the breadth of missions they can fly. Our engineers move quickly from simulation to flight and thrive on solving real-world problems that matter. About The Job Anduril is seeking s Senior Software Engineering Manager to join our team of exceptionally talented professionals dedicated to delivering mission outcomes through technology. As a Senior Software Engineering Manager, you will apply a broad understanding of organizational priorities, workforce planning, and financial goals to lead your teams toward defined objectives. You will play a pivotal role in shaping procedures that influence how flight software development and delivery is done across teams and disciplines within the TRS division. Decisions made in this role will impact broader team effectiveness, operating methods, and critical business outcomes for our Group 1-3 UAV programs. This technical leadership position focuses on developing cutting-edge flight control software for our UAVs, encompassing areas from flight controls to redundancy management. You will navigate a wide range of issues by evaluating multiple factors and considering broader context, applying operational policies and judgment to choose the right methods for solving complex problems. You'll work closely with leads across Guidance, Navigation, and Controls (GNC), Avionics, Systems, and Hardware, regularly connecting with these cross-functional partners and internal/external stakeholders to align on goals and initiatives, and ensure your team is unblocked and empowered to deliver robust, reliable, and certifiable flight software. WHAT YOU'LL DO: Lead Initiatives & Drive Outcomes: Turn broader functional plans into actionable processes, ensuring they are carried out effectively to drive tangible, tactical outcomes for our VMS roadmap. You will allocate resources and guide your teams to deliver against defined objectives, recognizing that decisions at this level influence timelines and budgets, with missteps potentially causing increased costs or delays that extend over the course of a year. Architect & Deliver Complex Systems: Lead the architecture, design, and execution of complex systems that effectively integrate hardware and software components, ensuring alignment with established system requirements and performance metrics. This includes strengthening and growing a dedicated software discipline around the end-to-end delivery of complex customer projects. Problem Solve & Innovate: Tackle complex, often undefined challenges that require conceptual thinking and a strong grasp of broader organizational goals. You will take ownership of hard problems, guiding your team to navigate a wide range of issues and choose the right methods for innovative solutions. Collaborate & Influence: Regularly connect with team leaders, cross-functional partners, and external stakeholders to align on goals and initiatives. You will build strong relationships across teams and disciplines, clearly sharing insights, results, and recommendations in a way that resonates with different audiences to achieve critical project and organizational objectives. Talent Development & Mentorship: Attract, retain, and grow top talent in software/robotics engineering, fostering a high-performing team environment that contributes to our strategic workforce planning. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: 7+ years experience on high performing software teams 3+ years direct management experience of 5+ people Demonstrated ability to drive a high-performing technical team Significant current/previous hands-on technical work on an interdisciplinary project (such as robotics, autonomous vehicles, avionics, or aerospace) Strong embedded systems fundamentals: resource-efficient software design, drivers, real-time responsive software, Linux and RTOS frameworks. Experience building and executing on technical roadmaps Proficiency in C++ and Linux US Salary Range $254,000 - $336,000 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. 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