Director, Imaging Hardware Engineering

ABOUT THE TEAM

The Anduril Imaging team develops state-of-the-art imaging systems across both hardware and software, deployed to tackle the most significant security challenges of America and its allies. The team is heavily involved in utilizing computer vision, perception, electro-optical, infrared, and sensor data to give our war fighters and allies an advantage.

ABOUT THE JOB

We are looking for a Director, Imaging Hardware Engineering to join our rapidly growing team. You will own the coordination of all resources and the build out of the team for successful execution across programs and internal R&D efforts. You will guide the team through product development, establish long term goals, as well as be own the technical architecture for the group. You will be involved in developing cutting-edge optical hardware to support mission-critical needs within the DOD space. If you are someone who likes strategically solving complex technical problems through leadership and owning the development of products that will have a tremendous impact, this role is for you.

WHAT YOU'LL DO:

• Lead and Grow Your Team: Own the recruitment, mentoring, and professional development of a diverse team of hardware engineers (e.g., Electrical, Optical, Opto-Mechanical, Mechanical, Manufacturing). Foster a culture of technical excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Strategic & Technical Vision: Define the strategic roadmap and technical architecture for hardware development, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and program requirements. Establish best practices, design standards, and robust verification processes, particularly for optical and precision mechanical systems.
• Program Execution: Coordinate resources and technical expertise across multiple programs, ensuring successful execution from initial concept and design through prototyping, test, qualification, and transition to manufacturing.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Operate effectively within a matrixed organization, collaborating closely with Program Management, Systems Engineering, Software, Test, and Manufacturing teams to ensure seamless integration and delivery of complex systems.
• Problem Solving & Innovation: Guide the team in solving complex physical, optical, and electromechanical problems, leading efforts in trade studies, risk mitigation, and innovative design solutions for challenging defense environments (e.g., SWaP-C optimization, precision alignment, thermal stability for optical performance, ruggedization, EMI/EMC).
• Process & Quality: Implement and enforce rigorous engineering processes, design reviews, and configuration management to ensure product reliability, manufacturability, and adherence to industry and defense standards.
• Supplier & Partner Management: Interface with key suppliers and external partners to evaluate new technologies, ensure component availability, and manage technical aspects of outsourced development or manufacturing efforts, particularly for custom optics, sensors, and precision components.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• BS/MS in Optics, Optical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Significant experience (8+ years) leading and managing cross-disciplinary hardware engineering teams in highly regulated industries such as Defense, Aerospace, or Medical Devices.
• Significant experience (8+ years) leading and managing cross-disciplinary hardware engineering teams in highly regulated industries such as Defense, Aerospace, or Medical Devices.
• Strong engineering background with demonstrated expertise in at least two of the following areas:
  • Digital and Analog Circuit Design (e.g., FPGAs, microcontrollers, high-speed interfaces, power management).
  • Mechanical Design and Analysis (e.g., CAD, thermal management, structural analysis, materials selection, packaging).
  • Optics/Photonics (e.g., sensor integration, laser systems, optical component design).
  • Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Assembly (DFA), and manufacturing process integration.
  • Opto-Mechanical Design & Analysis: (e.g., precision mechanism design, tolerancing stack-ups for optical alignment, thermal management for optical stability, vibration isolation, structural analysis for optical instruments, kinematic mounts, materials selection for optical performance and stability).
• Proven ability to quickly understand and navigate complex systems, detailed performance requirements, and real-world physical constraints.
• Capable of solving complex technical problems with little oversight, driving to practical and implementable solutions.
• Clear communication, presentation, and organizational skills, including technical documentation, design reviews, and training material.
• Must be able to obtain and hold a U.S. security clearance
• Willingness to travel to test sites, as needed.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 10+ years of experience in a senior leadership role, guiding hardware development programs from initial concept through test, qualification, and delivery to customers/production.
• Experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) principles applied to hardware development, especially for complex optical systems.
• Familiarity with industry standards and processes for defense hardware qualification (e.g., MIL-STD-810, MIL-STD-461, DO-160), with a focus on environmental testing for optical performance.
• Experience supporting hardware development and acquisition within the United States Intelligence Community or Department of Defense.
• Proficiency with relevant engineering tools (e.g., Zemax/Code V/LightTools for optical design, SolidWorks/Creo/CATIA for CAD, Ansys/COMSOL for FEA/CFD/thermal analysis, MATLAB/Simulink, Altium/Cadence for EDA).
• Willingness to travel periodically for supplier visits (especially optical vendors), field testing, or customer engagements.