Head of Operations, Hardware Engineering

Company: Anduril Industries
Location: Costa Mesa
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

ABOUT THE TEAM The Hardware Engineering organization is the central nexus for engineering excellence at Anduril, providing core services and developing strategic technology products that underpin our defense mission. We are a dynamic, high-impact team focused on enabling our world-class engineers and leaders to innovate and deliver at an unprecedented pace. ABOUT THE JOB We are seeking a Head of Engineering Operations to serve as a strategic thought partner and operational force multiplier to the VP of Hardware Engineering and the broader Hardware Engineering leadership team. In this pivotal role, you will be instrumental in architecting, optimizing, and leading the operational framework for the entire Hardware Engineering organization, driving strategic priorities, and ensuring its seamless integration with cross-functional partners across the company. You will lead a dedicated Engineering Operations team, providing critical operational leverage that enables our world-class engineers and leaders to focus on technical excellence and innovation. Your mandate will range from identifying and solving complex operational challenges, building and redesigning scalable processes, to leading high-impact strategic projects that directly support the VP's vision and contribute to Anduril’s overall success. You will be instrumental in ensuring organizational alignment, efficiency, and growth, collaborating closely with the VP and senior leadership to achieve our strategic objectives and differentiate Anduril as the next generation defense prime. WHAT YOU’LL DO Strategic Planning & Vision Execution: Partner with the VP of Hardware Engineering and their leadership team as a strategic advisor, helping to define, prioritize, and drive the execution of the organization's strategic roadmap, vision, operating model, and annual goals. This includes determining strategic investments for engineering capabilities and technology development, and setting/tracking critical metrics for organizational health and performance. Operational Excellence & Organizational Stewardship: Architect and optimize the day-to-day business operations of the Hardware Engineering organization. This encompasses critical areas such as strategic talent planning (staffing/hiring strategies, headcount management, performance management, compensation), organizational communications, facilities planning, and financial tracking. You will ensure the organization operates with maximum efficiency and effectiveness, providing the foundational support for engineering innovation and rapid scaling. Strategic Initiatives Leadership: Identify, scope, and lead high-priority strategic projects and complex cross-functional initiatives on behalf of the VP, ensuring timely execution, measurable impact, and direct alignment with broader company and Hardware Engineering goals. This includes driving annual planning cycles and preparing for executive-level reviews. Team Leadership & Development: Build, mentor, and lead a dedicated Engineering Operations team, empowering them to support day-to-day tactical operations and strategically drive initiatives within the engineering departments. Foster a culture of excellence, continuous improvement, and strategic impact within the team. Financial & Resource Stewardship: Partner closely with the VP and Anduril's FP&A team to manage the Hardware Engineering organization's budget, strategic investments, and resource allocation, ensuring fiscal responsibility and maximizing strategic impact against goals and deliverables. Communications & Executive Advocacy: Engage proactively with Anduril executive leadership as a key representative for the Hardware Engineering organization. You will articulate organizational needs, report on strategic progress, identify risks and developments, and prepare and present content for critical forums such as Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs). Infrastructure & Enablement: Oversee the development and optimization of underlying data and system infrastructure essential for robust organizational operations, ensuring data integrity, transparency, and operational efficiency across the Hardware Engineering ecosystem. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS 8 years of progressive professional experience in operations, program management, or a Chief of Staff-equivalent role within a technical organization, with at least 3 years directly supporting senior leadership (VP-level or equivalent). Undergraduate degree in an engineering discipline, providing strong technical acumen and the ability to understand complex engineering challenges. Demonstrated ability to operate with a high degree of emotional intelligence, discretion, and a people-centric, data-driven approach to complex problem-solving. Exceptional organizational and project management skills, capable of independently managing multiple complex, high-priority initiatives simultaneously in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. Profound ability to influence without direct authority and navigate complex organizational structures, cultivating trust and building strong cross-functional relationships across all levels of the company. Exceptional communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, capable of articulating complex ideas to diverse audiences, from working-level engineers to executive leadership. A proven blend of strategic foresight and tactical execution, comfortable diving deep into operational details while also crafting high-level strategies to solve ambiguous, organizational-wide problems. High ownership and the capacity to simultaneously manage and drive multiple critical projects and priorities at a rapid pace, consistently delivering results without compromising quality. Discerning judgment and an incredibly fast learner, capable of quickly grasping new concepts and adapting to evolving strategic landscapes. U.S. Person status is required for this position. Ability to obtain and hold a U.S. Top Secret security clearance is preferred. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS MBA or a relevant advanced degree (e.g., Engineering Management, Project Management). Direct experience in a Chief of Staff or Head of Operations role within a fast-paced technology company, defense contractor, or a similar high-growth engineering environment. Experience leading operations for large-scale engineering, R&D, or product development organizations, especially within defense or aerospace contexts. US Salary Range $220,000 - $292,000 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. 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, Altadena , Head of Operations, Hardware Engineering, IT / Software / Systems , Costa Mesa, California