Staff Software Engineer, Ghost

Job Application for Staff Software Engineer, Ghost at Anduril Industries Staff Software Engineer, Ghost 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 Anduril’s Tactical Recon & Strike (TRS) is a division with two missions: 1) build highly capable autonomous drones, and 2) build solid rocket motors at scale. We transform products like Ghost, Anvil, Bolt, and Altius from early concepts into fully operational capabilities by partnering closely with specialist engineering, operations, and production teams. Through our Anduril Rocket Motor Systems (RMS) team, we design and manufacture solid rocket motors using advanced materials, proprietary formulations, and high-volume production methods—delivering safe, reliable propulsion systems that support a wide range of mission requirements. TRS hires software engineers & hardware engineers, who are excited to build across a diverse and powerful portfolio—from autonomous aerial systems to high-performance solid rocket motors. Our teams contribute to highly capable autonomous robotics systems and propulsion products that operate reliably in the most demanding mission environment. ABOUT THE JOB As a Staff Robotics Software Engineer on our TRS team, you'll be at the forefront of cutting-edge autonomous systems development. You'll tackle diverse challenges in autonomy, systems integration, robotics, and networking, making critical engineering decisions that directly impact mission success. Your role will be pivotal in ensuring Anduril's products work seamlessly together to achieve a variety of crucial outcomes. You'll develop innovative solutions for complex robotics problems, balance pragmatic engineering trade-offs with mission-critical requirements, and collaborate across teams to integrate software with hardware systems. Contributing to the entire product lifecycle, from concept to deployment, you'll rapidly prototype and iterate on software solutions. We're looking for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment and isn't afraid to tackle ambiguous problems. Your "Whatever It Takes" mindset will be key in executing tasks efficiently, scalably, and pragmatically, always keeping the mission at the forefront of your work. This role offers the opportunity to make a significant impact on next-generation defense technology, working with state-of-the-art robotics and autonomous systems. You'll be part of a team that values innovation, quick iteration, and delivering high-quality solutions that meet real-world needs. Must be eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance. This position will be located at our headquarters in Costa Mesa, CA (relocation benefits provided.) WHAT YOU'LL DO Develop and maintain core robotics libraries, including frame transformations, targeting, and guidance systems, that will be utilized across all Anduril robotics platforms Lead the development and implementation of major features for our products, such as designing and building Software-in-the-Loop simulators for advanced systems like Anvil Optimize performance of existing products, including tasks like improving battery consumption and route planning for our Ghost helicopter Ghost is the main platform where we regularly integrate new/unique robotics sensors and payloads. Collaborate closely with hardware and manufacturing teams throughout the product development lifecycle, providing timely feedback to influence and enhance final hardware designs Troubleshoot and resolve complex issues in deployed systems, ensuring optimal performance in the field Our assets are the only ones in TRS designed to be non-attritable, so we place a special emphasis on product reliability over many usage cycles. Contribute to the design and implementation of multi-agent coordination systems for UAVs Participate in the full software development lifecycle, from concept and design through testing and deployment Stay current with emerging technologies and industry trends, recommending and implementing innovations to improve our products and processes REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS Bachelor's degree in Robotics, Computer Science, or related field 7+ years of professional software development experience Strong proficiency in C++ or Rust, with experience in Linux development environments Demonstrated expertise in data structures, algorithms, concurrency, and code optimization Proven experience troubleshooting and analyzing remotely deployed software systems Hands-on experience working with and testing electrical and mechanical systems Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including hardware and manufacturing Strong problem-solving skills and a "Whatever It Takes" mindset Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance Willingness to relocate to Costa Mesa, CA PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS Master's or Ph.D. in a relevant field (e.g., Robotics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering) Expertise in one or more advanced robotics areas: motion planning, perception, localization, mapping, or controls Experience with performance optimization and metrics for complex robotic systems Proficiency in Python, Rust, and/or Go, in addition to C++ Hands-on experience programming for embedded systems and physical devices Background in multi-agent coordination, particularly with UAVs Demonstrated ability to solve complex frame transformation problems (e.g., target localization, multi-degree-of-freedom robotic arms) Experience with real-time operating systems and distributed computing Familiarity with machine learning and AI applications in robotics Knowledge of sensor fusion techniques and implementation Understanding of aerodynamics and flight dynamics as applied to UAV systems Experience with simulation environments for robotics testing and development Track record of contributions to open-source robotics projects or relevant publications 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. 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