Manufacturing Specialist, Core Tech
Anduril Industries · Costa Mesa, CA
- Level
- Technician
- Team
- Manufacturing
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 7+ years
- Industry
- Aerospace & defense
- Posted
- 8 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A technician-level manufacturing role at Anduril Industries (aerospace & defense) in Costa Mesa, CA. , you will be responsible for the assembly and integration of Actuators and Vehicle Avionics along with supporting test equipment.
- They ask for
- 7+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- SPC, ISO 9001, AS9100, Automation, Tooling
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Manufacturing Technician roles in California: typical posted base $56k–$78k.
Median of the low and high ends of 10 live postings that list pay, out of 134 manufacturing technician 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 100 other live manufacturing postings in California.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- More than usual (7+ vs 5+)
Typical $84k–$121k, from 13 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Team leadership 40%
- ✓ Tooling 34%
- CNC 31%
- Machining 30%
- Lean 22%
- New product launch 21%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for SPC, ISO 9001, AS9100, Python, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.
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
Pick 2–3 people on the Manufacturing team at Anduril Industries
We found 2 people at this company and state: 2 in this kind of role. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See them ↓
- 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 Kevin → (free) - 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Is the work mostly new product launches or sustaining existing lines?
- How much time do you spend on the floor versus at a desk?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 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
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
157 other open roles at this site · 2 people we found in manufacturing roles at Anduril Industries.
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- Quality Specialist · Quality · Specialist
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- Senior Product Quality Engineer, Core Tech · Quality · Senior
Full description from Anduril IndustriesAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Required qualifications
- ✓7+ years experience in aerospace, aviation, military, or other high-reliability industries
- ✓Electrical troubleshooting skills and familiarity with data acquisition devices and software
- ✓Mechanical troubleshooting and repair ability including familiarity with fluid systems
- ✓Computer skills necessary to test, document and update digital systems
- ✓Proven ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment while maintaining attention to detail
- ✓Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams
- ✓Able to lift up to 50 lbs. unassisted
- ✓Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export controlled information or facilities
Preferred qualifications
- ✓Associate degree or higher in electronics, electrical engineering technology, or related field
- ✓Experience with LabVIEW, Python, or other test automation/scripting tools, and version control systems (e.g., Git)
- ✓Familiarity with environmental testing (thermal cycling, vibration, humidity) and ESS procedures
- ✓Working knowledge of IPC-A-610 acceptability standards; hand soldering per J-STD-001 and/or rework experience
- ✓Knowledge of ISO 9001 / AS9100 Quality Management Systems
- ✓Aviation, defense, or aerospace production testing experience
- ✓Experience with data analysis or statistical process control (SPC) for test yield monitoring
Requirements
- ✓Experience designing simple fixtures, nests, or other shop-aids
- ✓Design and build of other electromechanical systems
- ✓Experience interpreting test data and qualifying equipment
- ✓Able to stand for long periods, climb ladders, bend, grasp, sit, pull, push, stoop, and stretch as needed
US Hourly Range
Specialist/Level 1: $32 - $43/hour
Specialist/Level 2: $37 - $49/hour
Specialist/Level 3: $41 - $54/hour
Your job level will be tailored to your individual qualifications, including your job-related knowledge, skills, education, and experience.
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 com
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
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 Core Tech Manufacturing Team rapidly iterates and builds cutting-edge defense hardware, specializing in advanced mechanical actuators and motion control systems for Anduril's sea and air vehicle platforms. As we scale these products from prototype to high-rate production, the quality bar is set on the manufacturing floor — every actuator that ships is characterized, exercised, and qualified against its performance spec before it leaves the line.t.
About the job
We are looking for a Manufacturing Specialist to join our rapidly growing team in Costa Mesa, CA. In this role, you will be responsible for the assembly and integration of Actuators and Vehicle Avionics along with supporting test equipment. Your expertise will help ensure that our products meet the highest standards of quality and reliability.
What you’ll do
- •Assemble flight and non-flight hardware, ensuring adherence to stringent quality standards
- •Construct test racks, mechanical, and electrical equipment for integration and testing
- •Diagnose and troubleshoot test stand and hardware issues
- •Work with engineering to create and execute test plans to inform product acceptance, development, and qualification
- •Meticulously document test results and issues
- •Create work orders, manuals, maintenance plans, and other documentation for actuator builds and test equipment
- •Design and build tooling and fixtures
- •Utilize precision measuring instruments to ensure components meet specifications
- •Train other technicians and supervise new product development builds
- •Investigate and resolve nonconformances, providing feedback for continuous improvement