Head of Software, Space

Company: Anduril Industries
Location: Costa Mesa
Posted on: May 24, 2025

Job Description:

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.Work closely with Chief Engineers and enabling programs to deliver on customer requirements. As the Head of Software for our Space team, you will own the coordination of all resources towards programs and the build-out of the team for successful execution across programs and internal R&D efforts. You will be responsible for ensuring the technical alignment of the software development roadmap of products being developed for current programs and increasing the differentiation for Anduril Space in alignment with future program captures. You must demonstrate the ability to assert best practices of robust ground and orbital software design while utilizing additional innovations to promote increased speed and flexibility. You will exhibit technical depth in ground and space components and full systems while effectively communicating up and outside the business line organization. The Head of Software will have a strong technical background in at least one or more disciplines: Telemetry, Tracking & Command (TT&C), Mission Planning, Flight Dynamics, Modeling & Simulation, Fault Management Systems, Mission Autonomy, and operating systems of complex space systems. The Head of Software will work closely with the Chief Engineers of programs to ensure appropriate staffing and alignment of engineering best practices for delivering reliable and robust software solutions while maintaining close collaboration with the hardware counterparts.This role is directly tied to ongoing, funded programs within Anduril's Space Business Line as well as internally funded R&D efforts. The programs require building and fielding resilient, software-defined spacecraft systems across numerous mission threads aligned within interoperability and distributed C2 for ground systems. We work with mission partners and customers to deploy reliable and robust capabilities on operationally relevant timelines to meet complex challenges across the DoD and Intelligence Community.What you'll do

• Own the team responsible for the development of all software components across the entirety of the space business line portfolio.
• Work closely with the representative Chief Engineer to ensure appropriate staffing, enable programs, and deliver on customer requirements.
• Provide encompassing support for the technical execution of new software systems and space vehicle systems design, development, test, 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 software 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 software 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 & experience
  • Strong engineering background from industry or school, ideally in areas/fields such as Computer Science, 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.
  • Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret Security clearance.
  • 10+ years of experience in a senior role leading software programs from initial concept through test and delivery to customers.
  • A desire to work on critical software designs in the space domain.
  • Experience with testing/validation leveraging FlatSats, Hardware-in-the-Loop testbeds through nominal and fault scenarios.
  • Exposure to spacecraft and spacecraft subsystem 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 USDThe 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 comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans at little to no cost to you.
    • 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 (eg, 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.
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Keywords: Anduril Industries, Baldwin Park , Head of Software, Space, IT / Software / Systems , Costa Mesa, California