Austere Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Anduril's Air Defense team builds robots that find other robots and knock them out of the sky. At a time when air superiority can no longer be taken for granted, we provide mission critical capabilities to warfighters. From detection to tracking, identification, deterrence, and defeat, our family of networked sensors and effectors enables our customers to rapidly close the kill chain against a broad range of UAS threats. Working across product, engineering, sales, logistics, operations, and mission success, the Air Defense team develops, tests, deploys, and sustains our Family of Systems (FoS) in challenging operational environments worldwide. Operating in a "Hazard Zone" means going where our systems are needed most. We don't just ship hardware to a port; we integrate our technology directly into active, austere, and contested environments to ensure our customers win.

As the Senior Deployment Lead (Hazard Zone), you will own the operational execution, technical rollout, and sustainment of Anduril's suite of capabilities (including Lattice OS, Sentry Towers, Altius, and Anvil) in active-threat environments. Your mandate is execution on the ground where you will lead a high-performing expeditionary team of Technical Operations Engineers (TOPs), software or hardware engineers, and contracted support. You are the bridge between Anduril's engineering teams in California and the tactical edge, ensuring our systems are deployed, integrated, and fully operational under the most challenging conditions on earth. This role requires a rare combination of technical field-engineering leadership, military/expeditionary operational experience, and the high-agency mindset required to solve complex problems in dynamic environments.

• Own the Deployment Lifecycle: Lead the end-to-end tactical planning, site surveying, installation, and configuration of Anduril's hardware and software suites in austere/hazard zones.
• Operational Readiness: Ensure all personnel, equipment, and logistical pipelines are prepared to execute rapid deployments on short notice.
• Crisis & Risk Management: Make critical operational decisions under pressure to protect personnel and technology assets while maintaining mission capability in volatile areas.

• Lead the Ground Team: Directly manage and mentor a team of TOPs and technicians. Drive technical excellence and accountability in the field.
• Hands-on Troubleshooting: Act as the escalation point for complex technical failures on-site. Work alongside TOPs to diagnose and resolve issues spanning mesh networking, RF spectrum interference, power distribution, and software integration.
• Bridge the Gap to HQ: Translate raw operational data, edge case failures, and feedback from the field directly to Anduril Product and Engineering teams to accelerate product development.

• • Embed with the Customer: Act as the primary, trusted operational point of contact for tactical commanders, special operations units, and mission partners on-site.
  • Accelerate Adoption: Oversee the rapid training of military operators, transitioning them from basic users to proficient system operators who trust Anduril technology with their lives.
  • Mission Alignment: Ensure the deployed technical footprint directly aligns with the operational commander's concept of operations (CONOP).

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Expeditionary Leadership: 6+ years of leadership experience in tactical, austere, or high-threat environments (e.g., military deployment, defense contracting, expeditionary government operations, or disaster response).
• Technical Aptitude: Proven experience with complex hardware/software integrations. You should have a strong working knowledge of IP networking, RF communications, power systems, and Windows/Linux environments.
• High Agency: You thrive in ambiguity. When plans fail, you don't wait for permission; you find a way to accomplish the mission safely and effectively.
• Logistical Savvy: Experience moving sensitive equipment and people through complex global supply chains and customs processes into remote areas.
• Clearance: Must possess an active US Secret security clearance (TS/SCI preferred).
• Travel: Ability to deploy to international hazard zones/austere environments up to 50-60% of the year.