Software Engineer, UI/UX (Sand Table) Job at Anduril Industries in Costa Mesa

Anduril Industries is a defense technology company with a mission to transform U.S. and allied military capabilities using advanced technology. By leveraging the expertise, technology, and business model of the 21st century’s most innovative companies, Anduril is changing how military systems are designed, built, and sold.

The Sand Table team develops our revolutionary platform for visualizing future defense scenarios. We transform massive amounts of data into an intuitive, interactive 3D command center, serving as the visual interface for mission simulations, a key business development tool, and a powerful demonstration of our advanced capabilities to government and military leaders.

As a UI/UX Software Engineer on the Sand Table team, you will implement next‑generation user interfaces for wargaming and briefing within XR headsets, working closely with UI artists and the creative director to bring vision to functional reality.

What You’ll Do

• Implement and optimize UI systems for XR environments, including HUDs, menus, data visualization, interactive elements, and real‑time overlays.
• Partner with stakeholders to prioritize and define deliverables, translating them into scoped work for the team.
• Write clean, maintainable C++ code with attention to reusability and performance.
• Develop UI frameworks and component libraries that integrate seamlessly with an internal game engine.
• Analyze and optimize memory and performance for UI systems scaling from high‑end desktops to mobile AR devices.
• Collaborate with engineering and product leads on cohesive UI architecture for future XR programs.
• Provide technical feedback during the design phase to ensure feasibility and optimal performance.
• Implement UI animations, transitions, and interactive behaviors that enhance user experience.
• Translate design documentation into engineering implementation, creating technical specifications as needed.
• Collaborate with business lines to scope UI/engineering deliverables and support customer meetings and demonstrations.
• Work with military stakeholders to ensure UI implementations support successful mission outcomes from prototyping through production phases.

Required Qualifications

• Excellent C++ skills and strong software engineering principles.
• 5+ years of professional programming experience implementing UI/UX systems for games, simulations, or real‑time applications.
• 3+ years of experience with game engines (Custom/Unity/Unreal) focusing on UI implementation.
• Experience solving complex problems in large codebases.
• Solid understanding of 3D math and spatial UI positioning.
• Full project lifecycle experience from concept through production and post‑launch iteration.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating shipped UI systems in interactive applications.
• Proven experience implementing data‑dense UI systems with complex state management.
• Experience with shader programming and rendering optimization for UI elements.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, autonomously driven, demanding startup environment.
• Demonstrated success managing competing priorities and aggressive schedules.
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with the Noesis GUI framework for game UI implementation.
• Experience designing and implementing UI for AR/VR/XR platforms.
• Linux development experience.
• Shipped at least one AAA game title in a UI engineering or similar role.
• Experience with motion design systems and procedural UI animation.
• Knowledge of accessibility standards and inclusive design implementation.
• Experience implementing military simulations, defense applications, or enterprise visualization tools.
• Understanding of spatial UI design principles and ergonomics for XR environments.
• Familiarity with data binding architectures (MVVM, MVC) and reactive UI patterns.
• Experience with UI middleware and custom UI framework development.
• Active security clearance.
• Experience with multiplayer/networked UI synchronization.

US Salary Range

$166,000—$220,000 USD

Healthcare Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans at little to no cost for U.S. full‑time employees.
• Full cost coverage for medical insurance premiums for UK, AUS, and IE roles.
• Annual contribution toward private health insurance for IE roles.

Additional Benefits

• Income protection: life and disability insurance for all employees.
• Generous time off: competitive PTO plans with a holiday hiatus in December; caregiver and wellness leave available.
• Family planning and parenting support: fertility treatments, adoption, and gestational carrier coverage and resources.
• Mental health resources: free 24/7 therapy, life coaching, and additional work‑life services.
• Professional development: annual reimbursement for professional development.
• Commuter benefits: company‑funded commuter benefits based on region.
• Relocation assistance: available depending on role eligibility.

Retirement Savings Plan

• US roles: Traditional 401(k), Roth, and after‑tax (mega backdoor Roth) options.
• UK & IE roles: Pension plan with employer match.
• AUS roles: Superannuation plan.