Flight Test Operator, Mission Autonomy

Company: Anduril Industries
Location: San Clemente
Posted on: April 3, 2026

Job Description:

The Test and Evaluation Division is looking for a motivated and skilled Flight Test Operator to support and operate fixed wing, VTOL, and jet engine aircraft in support of a wide range of programs. Our team conduct operations in support of software development, system level development, and sub-component qualification. A strong worth ethic is required for success in this role. You will not only fly aircraft during testing, you will participate in a wide range activities such as operating ground control software, administering embedded systems, and supporting integrations. Excellent communication skills are required as this role requires interaction wide range of personnel including Test Engineers, System Integrators, and Project Leads. If you enjoy working in a fast paced and innovative environment, where your work directly impacts and makes a difference, this a fantastic opportunity for you. WHAT YOU WILL DO Act as safety pilot during testing on a wide range of aircraft platforms. Operate ground control software during testing. Build, program, and maintain autonomous aircraft for flight. Work with Test Engineers on a variety of operational tasks that enable engineering, such as flight execution, material prep, or supporting test profiles by participating in our demonstrations. Assist System Integrators with tasks such as cabling prep, assembly installation, component configuration, and system validation. Travel between test sites depending on testing requirements and team needs. Travel to customer test events to support operations. Assist with equipment setup at test sites and during customer test events. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS RC, RPIC, or Pilot-operator (PIC) experience on fixed wing commercial and/or defense Group 1 -3 aircraft. Ability to get and maintain a FAA part 107 certificate, and FAA Part 61 ground school completion (as required). Ability to travel on an as needed basis. Familiarity with flight controllers and autopilot logic. Significant knowledge and understanding of National Airspace regulations and operating restrictions. Must have strong communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to own a variety of tasks in an autonomous environment. Able to work extended hours as required. Able to work in inclement weather. Strong customer service and organizational collaboration mentality. Small UAS maintenance experience. Willingness to travel approximately 60% of the time. Eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS Commercial pilot certification. Bachelors degree in aerospace, electrical, software, or mechanical engineering. Experience with developmental and operational test. US Hourly Range $40 - $60 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. Protecting Yourself from Recruitment Scams Anduril is committed to maintaining the integrity of our Talent acquisition process and the security of our candidates. We've observed a rise in sophisticated phishing and fraudulent schemes where individuals impersonate Anduril representatives, luring job seekers with false interviews or job offers. These scammers often attempt to extract payment or sensitive personal information. To ensure your safety and help you navigate your job search with confidence, please keep the following critical points in mind: No Financial Requests: Anduril will never solicit payment or demand personal financial details (such as banking information, credit card numbers, or social security numbers) at any stage of our hiring process. Our legitimate recruitment is entirely free for candidates. Please always verify communications: Direct from Anduril: If you receive an email from one of our recruiters, it will only come from an @anduril.com address. Via Agency Partner: If contacted by a recruiting agency for an Anduril role, their email will clearly identify their agency. If you suspect any suspicious activity, please verify the agency's authenticity by reaching out to contact@anduril.com . Exercise Caution with Unsolicited Outreach: If you receive any communication that appears suspicious, contains grammatical errors, or makes unusual requests, do not engage. Always confirm the sender's email domain is @anduril.com before providing any personal information or clicking on links. What to Do If You Suspect Fraud: Should you encounter any questionable or fraudulent outreach claiming to be from Anduril, please report it immediately to contact@anduril.com . Your proactive caution is invaluable in protecting your personal information and upholding the security and trustworthiness of our recruitment efforts. Data Privacy To view Anduril's candidate data privacy policy, please visit https://anduril.com/applicant-privacy-notice/ .

Keywords: Anduril Industries, La Habra , Flight Test Operator, Mission Autonomy, Engineering , San Clemente, California