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First Principles Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Strong foundation in first-principles analysis in complex environments. * Demonstrated experience developing and executing thermal models for spacecraft, subsystems, and electronic components.

Strong foundation in first-principles analysis in complex environments. * Demonstrated experience developing and executing thermal models for spacecraft, subsystems, and electronic components.

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Infographic showing various First Principles job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 73% Full Time, 22% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution.

Senior Mechanical Engineer, Intelligence Systems

Anduril Industries

Reston, VA

$108K - $143K/yr

Full-time

Posted 27 days ago


Anduril rating

9.1

Company rating: 9.1 out of 10

Anduril

Based on 17 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

7.4

Company rating compared to similar companies: 7.4 out of 10

Manufacturers average

Based on 76,399 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

ABOUT THE TEAM

Anduril Intelligence Systems (AIS) is focused on positioning Anduril as a lead provider of specialized engineering and products for Intelligence Community (IC) customers. We work within the IC to understand their requirements, shape their concepts of operation, and deliver exquisite capability across their problem set. We aim to develop and deploy critically needed capabilities that address our customers' most pressing national security requirements.

ABOUT THE JOB

We are looking for a Senior Mechanical Engineer to join our rapidly growing team in Reston, Virginia. In this role, you will be responsible for designing and developing mechanical systems and components for cutting-edge defense technologies. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams, including electrical and software engineers, to ensure seamless integration of systems. This role involves hands-on prototyping, CAD modeling, thermal and structural analysis, and supporting the manufacturing process to deliver mission-critical solutions.

WHAT YOU'LL DO:
  • Own hardware from concept generation to real world use
  • Use first principles physics as a basis for every decision
  • Lead design reviews, run analysis, visit vendors, define and execute hardware test plans
  • Build prototypes, analyze failures, and transition successful projects into production
  • Support critical hardware demonstrations with customers as needed
  • Travel to test sites as needed
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Currently possesses and is able to maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance
  • 10+ years of Mechanical Engineer experience in a professional setting
  • BS, M.Eng, MS or PhD in a related engineering field
  • Experience in an immersive technical project (collegiate project teams or professional settings)
  • CAD skills (any platform) and ability to make high quality engineering drawings that meet common industry standards
  • Demonstrated hands-on fabrication skills
  • High competence with, and fluid use of, engineering first principles
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Experience with integration of PCBAs and other electronics into a mechanical system
  • Experience in SiemensNX & Teamcenter
  • Experience with designing passive and active thermal management into mechanical designs
  • Experience with designing hardware with EMI constraints
  • Experience working closely with electrical engineers, software engineers, manufacturing engineers

Working at Anduril

About Anduril, in their own words

From Anduril

As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril delivers cutting-edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the warfighter in months, not years.


What Anduril employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Anduril Industries logo

About Anduril Industries

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Anduril Industries is a trailblazer in the technology industry based in Costa Mesa, CA, US. Founded in 2017 by Palmer Luckey, the creator of Oculus VR, the company focuses on developing innovative technology to equip and empower those in the defense sector. Its primary products include cutting-edge autonomous systems and AI software that assist in combating threats to national and global security. The mission of Anduril Industries is to integrate technology and defense by building transformative, scalable solutions that ensure a safer world.

Industry

Guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing

Company size

501 - 1,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Costa Mesa, CA, US

Year founded

2017

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