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Senior Automation Engineer, Manufacturing Automation

Anduril Industries · Costa Mesa, CA

Level
Senior
Team
Controls
Degree
Required
Experience asked
8+ years
Industry
Aerospace & defense
Posted
30+ days ago

The role in 30 seconds

A senior controls role at Anduril Industries (aerospace & defense) in Costa Mesa, CA. You will have the opportunity to help define what production automation looks like for Anduril at a national scale.

They ask for
8+ years · degree required
Tools it names
PLC, Robotics, Automation, Painting / coating, AutoCAD, CATIA / NX

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026

Controls Engineer roles in California: typical posted base $124k–$179k.

Median of the low and high ends of 56 live postings that list pay, out of 109 controls engineer openings in California, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.

California plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →

How this role compares

Against 108 other live controls postings in California.

Base pay
Not listed in this posting

Typical $124k–$179k, from 54 postings that list pay.

Experience asked
More than usual (8+ vs 5+)

Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.

Skills these teams ask for most

  • ✓ Automation 66%
  • ✓ PLC 47%
  • ✓ Robotics 43%
  • Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 38%
  • Python 33%
  • Root cause 20%

✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.

Stands out: this posting asks for Painting / coating, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.

It asks for 8+ years. If you're close, apply anyway: requirements are a wish list. Talk to someone doing this work there first.

At a glance

Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.

How to get in at this plant

Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.

  1. 1

    Pick 2–3 people on the Controls team at Anduril Industries

    We found 3 people at this company and state: 2 in this kind of role, 1 leaders. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See them ↓

  2. 2

    Send a short, curious note

    One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.

    Write to Andy → (free)
  3. 3

    Turn a reply into a short call

    Questions worth asking about this team:

    • What does a normal week look like on your team?
    • How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
  4. 4

    Apply with someone vouching for you

    If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.

  5. 5

    Bring proof to the interview

    One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.

This plant: Anduril Industries in Costa Mesa

156 other open roles at this site · 3 people we found in controls roles at Anduril Industries.

All 157 roles at Anduril Industries →
Full description from Anduril IndustriesAs posted on their careers site.Show

requirements

definition, vendor solicitation, commissioning sequences, and safety buyoffs

  • ✓Partner with cross-functional teams to troubleshoot equipment issues, reduce downtime, and drive continuous improvement initiatives
  • ✓Serve as technical lead on large-scope, multi-cell automation projects and mentor junior engineers on design and commissioning best practices

Required qualifications

  • ✓Bachelor’s degree in Robotics, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or similar
  • ✓8+ years of experience designing and commissioning automated production equipment
  • ✓Proficient CAD modeling in NX or AutoCAD
  • ✓Proficient in robot / cobot selection and integration, including path planning, EOAT design, dresspacks, and safety
  • ✓Experience with at least one major material movement system (conveyors, robotics, AGV/AMR, etc.)
  • ✓Experience integrating various control components including PLCs, HMIs, pushbuttons, stack lights, safety scanners, etc.
  • ✓Demonstrated ownership of full automation projects from concept through production handover
  • ✓Experience with control panel layout, electrical component selection, and cable routing
  • ✓Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export controlled information or facilities

Preferred qualifications

  • ✓10+ years of experience in controls and automation in a production environment
  • ✓Strong 3D CAD in NX
  • ✓Experience with automated dispense systems (adhesives, TIMs, paint, coatings, etc.)
  • ✓Experience with multiple material movement systems (conveyors, robotics, AGV/AMR, etc.)
  • ✓Experience with control panel layout, electrical component selection, and cable routing
  • ✓Experience integrating and configuring machine vision systems

$147,000 — $196,000 USD

Benefits

At Anduril, we invest in our people. Our comprehensive, competitive benefits package (available at little to no cost to employees) ensures you’re supported in health, recovery, and whatever comes next. For more information, Explore Our Benefits .

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 su

Show full 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.

About the team

Anduril’s Manufacturing Automation team is seeking a Senior Automation Engineer to join our team. The Manufacturing Automation team is responsible for the design, integration, and deployment of automated manufacturing systems across Anduril factories. As a member of this team, you will have the opportunity to help define what production automation looks like for Anduril at a national scale.

What you’ll do

  • •Own automation projects from cradle to grave — concept, scoping, design, build, commissioning, and production handover — managing every aspect of the project throughout its life
  • •Design, build, and commission automated manufacturing systems to improve production throughput, product quality, and operator safety
  • •Work with product-specific design & manufacturing teams to scope the appropriate level of automation
  • •Own the design and integration of automation cells including robot / cobot applications, material movement, bespoke electromechanical systems, and automated inspection
  • •Integrate control systems across the cell, including PLCs, HMIs, machine vision, robotics, and safety systems
  • •Work with IE and Facilities teams to lay out production lines in new and existing Anduril factories
  • •Generate 2D and 3D CAD files for automation lines and their systems / components
  • •Enforce and contribute to Anduril’s internal processes & standards, including

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