Anduril Industries, founded in 2017, develops autonomous systems and defense technology for US and allied forces using a software-first approach to hardware development. The company's technical work spans autonomous undersea vehicles (AUVs), counter-drone systems, and solid rocket motors, applying artificial intelligence and systems engineering to national security applications. This approach represents a departure from traditional defense contractor models, with emphasis on rapid iteration and software-defined capabilities.
The engineering organization draws from diverse backgrounds, including former Palantir engineers and personnel who transitioned directly from military service. This combination brings both commercial software development practices and operational field experience to product development. The company's technical domains require attention to systems-level integration challenges: autonomous navigation in GPS-denied environments, real-time threat detection and classification, and propulsion systems that must perform reliably under harsh conditions.
Anduril's development methodology prioritizes testing and verification for reliability, reflecting the operational reality that defense systems must function correctly when lives depend on them. Engineers work on problems that include sensor fusion for autonomous platforms, counter-UAS detection algorithms, and the mechanical and propulsion engineering required for undersea and airborne systems. The company has grown rapidly since its founding while attempting to maintain an engineering culture where individual contributors can take ownership of complete systems from concept through field deployment.