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Materials Lab Technician, Mechanical Testing

Anduril Industries · Costa Mesa, CA1mo ago
$85k – $112k

Associate-level Quality / Testing roles on Crosslinked list a median of $71k (24 that show pay).

Run mechanical testing (tensile, compression) on materials specimens and own the materials lab bench

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Worth knowing

Why it is interesting. Be the person who makes a growing defense materials lab run — turning capital equipment into dependable throughput across composites, alloys, and AM parts.

Might not be for you. Requires ability to obtain a Top Secret clearance and is heavily routine test execution — less open-ended R&D.

Mostly at the benchHands-on executionFast-paced First industry roleBS acceptable Realistic requirements

Core polymer roleExecute tensile, compression, and other mechanical tests to established methods (e.g., ASTM / ISO); testing composites, high-temperature alloys, additively-manufactured parts

Seniority
Technician
Work
On-site
Type
Full-time
Degree
Associate
Experience
3+ yrs
Industry
Defense
Role
Quality / Testing
Clearance
Top Secret
Materials
Benefits
equity/stock

Role details

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 JOB Anduril designs and fields systems across an unusually broad materials portfolio, and the design decisions behind them depend on mechanical test data that is accurate, repeatable, and delivered on time. This role owns the execution of that testing.

This is your opportunity to be the person who makes the materials lab run — turning a growing set of capital equipment into dependable throughput, taking routine testing off engineers’ plates, and setting the standard for how mechanical testing gets done. You’ll own the bench, not just a task on it. WHAT YOU’LL DO Run Mechanical Testing. Execute tensile, compression, and other mechanical tests to established methods (e.g., ASTM / ISO) across programs — set up fixturing, operate the load frame, and capture results accurately. Prepare and Manage Specimens. Machine, measure, label, and track test specimens, maintaining traceability from receipt through reported result. Own Data Quality.

Capture, reduce, and record test data so results are accurate, complete, and analysis-ready for the engineering team. Keep the Lab Running. Perform routine equipment upkeep, calibration checks, and consumable management to maximize uptime and equipment utilization. Take Testing Off Engineers’ Plates. Absorb routine test execution so engineering time returns to design, analysis, and program support rather than running the bench. Uphold Lab Safety and Order. Maintain a safe, clean, well-organized lab and follow all material-handling, PPE, and safety protocols. WHO YOU ARE You take pride in doing hands-on work precisely and repeatably.

A test run to method and data you can stand behind is its own reward. You are meticulous about the details that make data trustworthy — alignment, calibration, labeling, and traceability. You have a bias for action and ownership. You keep the queue moving and don’t wait to be asked. You communicate clearly with the engineers you support, surfacing anomalies rather than burying them. You care about a safe, orderly lab and treat the equipment like it’s your own.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Associate degree in a technical field, or equivalent hands-on experience in a materials, mechanical, or manufacturing test environment 3+ years of hands-on experience operating mechanical test equipment (servo-hydraulic or electromechanical load frames) Experience with specimen preparation and machining, precision measurement (calipers, micrometers, extensometers), and test fixturing Working knowledge of standardized test methods (e.g., ASTM / ISO) and the discipline to follow them exactly Careful data-capture and record-keeping habits, with strong attention to traceability Comfort with basic shop and hand tools and a strong lab-safety mindset Ability to manage a queue of work and shifting priorities independently in a fast-paced environment Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S.

Top Secret security clearance PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS Active U.S.

Secret or Top Secret security clearance Experience with fatigue, fracture, or other advanced / dynamic mechanical testing Experience testing advanced or non-standard materials — composites, high-temperature alloys, or additively-manufactured parts Familiarity with metallography or specimen sectioning, mounting, and polishing Hands-on experience with test-frame software and data-acquisition systems (e.g., Instron, MTS) Calibration, gauge R&R, or equipment-maintenance experience US Hourly Range $41 — $54 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: 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 [email protected] . 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 [email protected] .

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/ . By submitting your application, you consent to Anduril Industries using a third-party service provider to conduct pre-employment risk, integrity, and due diligence screening and assessing potential risks as part of your application process.

This third-party service provider provides risk-intelligence services that may include analysis of sanctions and watchlists, adverse media, public-record information, and other lawful open-source or commercial data sources. This third-party service provider does not act as a consumer reporting agency. Use of this provider helps to ensure compliance with applicable laws and protect technology, intellectual property, and organizational security.

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Common questions

What is the salary for the Materials Lab Technician, Mechanical Testing role at Anduril Industries?

The listed annual base salary range is $85K–$112K. This figure is taken from the posting itself.

Where is the Materials Lab Technician, Mechanical Testing role at Anduril Industries based?

This role is based in Costa Mesa, CA.

What degree is required for the Materials Lab Technician, Mechanical Testing role at Anduril Industries?

This role requires a Associate.

How many years of experience does this Materials Lab Technician, Mechanical Testing role require?

The posting calls for at least 3 years of relevant experience.

What polymers or materials does this Materials Lab Technician, Mechanical Testing role work with?

composites, high-temperature alloys.

What techniques or methods are required for this Materials Lab Technician, Mechanical Testing role?

tensile testing, compression testing, servo-hydraulic load frames, extensometers, calipers/micrometers.