Air-Vehicle Multidisciplinary Design Analysis and Optimization (MDAO) Engineer

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 JOB Anduril's Air Dominance & Strike (AD&S) Division is rapidly reshaping the future of peer-to-peer conflict. We are building the next generation of affordable, collaborative combat aircraft, missiles, and the autonomous software that powers them. As we scale, we are seeking a visionary Air-Vehicle Multidisciplinary Design Analysis and Optimization (MDAO) Engineer to join our fast-growing team. You will be instrumental in driving the rapid development of cutting-edge weapon systems by integrating and optimizing across the entire design lifecycle. This role is for an engineer who challenges traditional silos between conceptual design, preliminary development, and detailed engineering, bringing together diverse discipline experts to form cohesive, multi-fidelity workflows. We're looking for someone who understands that models are not just for analysis, but are critical tools for informing every stage of product development – from early design decisions to operational sustainment. Your expertise will bridge the gap between engineering analysis, hardware, and software development, ensuring our modeling and tooling choices directly contribute to delivering mission-critical systems to our customers. The ideal candidate possesses a strong and broad foundation in computational engineering analysis, adept at modeling both steady-state and transient phenomena. You will integrate disciplinary models (e.g., controls, guidance, mission systems, 6DOF simulations, subsystems, manufacturing) earlier into design iterations. Leveraging commercial MDAO frameworks, you will automate engineering workflows, pioneer advanced methods like Uncertainty Quantification (UQ), and proficiently apply cutting-edge AI tools to accelerate and optimize MDAO processes. Experience with CAD scripting (e.g., Engineering Sketch Pad) for parameterized geometry, operational analysis codes, and a deep understanding of error and uncertainty in modeling complex systems are highly desirable. If you are a highly skilled MDAO practitioner ready to leverage your expertise to revolutionize defense capabilities, this role is for you. WHAT YOU’LL DO Lead MDAO Initiatives: Collaborate with air-vehicle design and analysis disciplines and technical leadership across AD&S programs to define and execute critical trade studies, building robust, data-driven workflows using commercial MDAO frameworks. Strategic Development: Work with the AD&S Engineering Tools Lead to shape the strategic roadmap for MDAO capabilities, deploy multi-fidelity workflows across programs, and document available resources. Geometry Generation: Design and implement robust, parameterized, watertight, CAD-based scripted geometry models to enable multidisciplinary analysis and ensure consistent results. Accelerate Design Insights: Drive the earlier integration of disciplinary models into the design process, providing rich data to inform critical tradespace decisions. Pioneer Methodologies: Develop and apply cutting-edge MDAO methods and models to significantly increase the efficiency and effectiveness of AD&S teams. Apply AI to MDAO: Innovate and deploy Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions within MDAO workflows to enhance efficiency and discovery. Optimize Workflows: Identify gaps, bottlene