Senior Product Designer, Space

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer, Space

Company: Anduril Industries

Location: Costa Mesa, California, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / UX/UI Design

Date Posted: 2026-09-04

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the design direction for critical spacecraft mission planning and command & control experiences, driving innovation from concept to delivery within a cutting-edge defense technology company.

• Collaborate closely with specialized stakeholders, including space systems engineers, product managers, and operators, to translate complex mission requirements into intuitive and effective user interfaces.

• Leverage and extend Anduril's existing design system and Lattice OS to adapt solutions for the unique challenges and operational contexts of the space domain.

• Contribute to a centralized Product Design & Research team, ensuring scalability and thoughtful design across Anduril's diverse ecosystem of software experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically focused on the "Space" domain within Anduril's broader defense technology portfolio. The emphasis is on designing user experiences for mission planning and command & control, which are highly technical and critical functions. The role requires a strong blend of UX/UI design expertise, systems thinking, and the ability to work with complex technical data and workflows.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end design process for spacecraft mission planning and command & control (C2) experiences, from initial discovery and user research to final delivery and implementation guidance.

• Partner with the existing Space domain designer to define and refine Mission Planning workflows, with a mandate to progressively expand into new features and workflows as new programs launch.

• Lead problem decomposition sessions and collaborative workshops with internal operators and external stakeholders to deeply understand user needs and operational contexts.

• Synthesize research findings and stakeholder feedback into actionable design decisions that optimize critical operator workflows.

• Analyze existing mission planning variants across other Anduril domains (e.g., Maritime, Aerial Autonomy) to identify opportunities for design reuse and adaptation.

• Extend and evolve Anduril's established design system to meet the specific requirements and nuances of the space domain.

• Actively shape the integration of product design with engineering and product management teams through iterative prototyping and hands-on implementation support.

• Develop clear and compelling design documentation, including journey maps, user workflows, high-fidelity mockups, and detailed specifications, to ensure easy comprehension and alignment.

• Participate in regular design critiques and knowledge-sharing sessions to learn from and contribute to Anduril's broader design community and understanding of Lattice OS.

• Collaborate with the design systems team to ensure the underlying platform evolves through contributions from domain-specific design work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a significant degree of autonomy and ownership. The candidate will not only be executing design tasks but also defining design direction within their domain and contributing to the evolution of the design system. The mention of programs launching as early as 2026 suggests a need for rapid iteration and delivery.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong foundation in design principles equivalent to a Bachelor's degree in Design, HCI, Computer Science, or a related field is implied by the experience requirements.

Experience: 5+ years of professional experience in product design, UX, or Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), with a demonstrated history of delivering high-craft, technically sound solutions.

Required Skills:

• Proven ability to execute high-craft, technically informed design solutions for complex systems.

• Deep expertise in visual and interaction design, with a portfolio showcasing elegant solutions and high-quality execution.

• Demonstrated ability to design complex technical workflows where precision, clarity, and attention to detail are paramount.

• Strong systems thinking mindset, capable of mapping user journeys across multiple user types and diverse operational contexts.

• Proficient in prototyping tools to drive clarity and facilitate decision-making processes.

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to articulate the rationale behind design decisions and navigate complex stakeholder requirements across engineering, product, and business teams.

• Ability to work independently on feature-level tasks while proactively seeking guidance for complex ambiguities.

• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Top Secret (TS) security clearance with SCI (Sensitive Compartmented Information) eligibility. Preferred Skills:

• Experience designing user interfaces for technical operator-focused software in domains such as aerospace, industrial control systems, logistics, robotics, or other complex operational environments.

• Familiarity with workflows involving the planning, commanding, visualization, or monitoring of distributed systems.

• Track record of delivering high-quality design work in fast-paced, mission-critical environments characterized by shifting priorities and ambiguity.

• Experience working within established design systems and contributing thoughtful extensions to accommodate domain-specific needs.

• Proven experience leading user research initiatives, including customer discovery, usability testing, and synthesis of complex feedback loops.

• Strong facilitation skills to lead workshops, guide cross-functional alignment, and support strategic decision-making.

• Experience designing for constrained environments or high-stakes/safety-critical applications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "technically informed solutions" and "complex technical workflows" indicates that this role requires more than just aesthetic design skills; it demands a deep understanding of how users interact with intricate systems, particularly in high-stakes environments. The security clearance requirement is a critical qualification that will filter candidates.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio is mandatory, demonstrating a minimum of 5 years of product design, UX, or HCI experience.

• Showcase a track record of executing high-craft, technically informed solutions with precision, clarity, and attention to detail.

• Include case studies that highlight the design of complex technical workflows and elegant solutions for challenging problems.

• Demonstrate systems thinking through examples of mapped user journeys across multiple user types and operational contexts.

• Provide examples of strong prototyping skills used to drive clarity and decision-making.

• Present work that clearly communicates the "why" behind design decisions, showcasing navigation of complex stakeholder requirements.

• If applicable, include examples of adapting or extending existing design systems for domain-specific needs. Process Documentation:

• Case studies should detail the problem decomposition and discovery process, including user research methodologies employed (e.g., operator interviews, collaborative workshops).

• Illustrate the synthesis of findings into actionable design decisions and the resulting user workflows.

• Document the iterative design process, including prototyping, testing, and refinement stages.

• Showcase how design solutions have been integrated with engineering and product management through collaborative efforts.

• Clearly articulate the impact of the design solutions, ideally with quantifiable results or clear qualitative improvements in operator efficiency or mission success.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this role, the portfolio is paramount. It must not only display high visual and interaction design craft but also a deep understanding of complex technical systems, user workflows, and the ability to translate mission requirements into effective designs. Case studies should explicitly detail the problem-solving process, user research, and stakeholder collaboration involved.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $166,000 - $220,000 USD per year. This range is an estimate based on the provided data and industry benchmarks for a Senior Product Designer role in Costa Mesa, California, with the specified experience level and the demands of a defense technology company requiring a TS/SCI clearance. Actual salary offers can vary based on specific experience, education, skills, and business considerations.

Benefits:

• Highly competitive equity grants, considered a significant part of the total compensation package.

• Top-tier benefits for full-time employees, offered at little to no cost to employees.

• Comprehensive benefits package designed to support employee health, recovery, and future endeavors.

• Specifics often include health insurance (medical, dental, vision), retirement savings plans (e.g., 401k), paid time off, parental leave, and professional development opportunities.

• The company emphasizes investing in its people through its benefits.

Working Hours: Expected to be a standard 40-hour work week, typical for full-time roles. However, given the mission-critical nature of the defense industry and the fast-paced environment, flexibility and occasional extended hours may be required to meet program deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is provided directly in the job description. The benefits listed are general but emphasize "top-tier" and "comprehensive," with specific mention of equity grants, which is common in high-growth tech/defense companies. The working hours are standard, but the context implies potential for demanding periods.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Defense Technology. Anduril Industries is a prominent player in modernizing military capabilities through advanced technology, focusing on AI, autonomy, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking.

Company Size: Anduril is a rapidly growing company, indicating a dynamic and potentially fast-paced work environment. Its size suggests a structure that balances the agility of a startup with the resources and complexity of a defense contractor.

Founded: While the founding date isn't explicitly stated in this snippet, Anduril is known for its relatively recent establishment (2017) and rapid scaling. This suggests a culture that values innovation, speed, and a forward-thinking approach to problem-solving.

Team Structure:

• The role is part of the centralized Software Product Design & Research team, which acts as a connective tissue across Anduril's software ecosystem.

• The designer will be specifically deployed to support Anduril's Space organization, working alongside another designer focused on this domain.

• This team structure emphasizes cross-functional collaboration, with designers working closely with specialized stakeholders like space systems engineers, product managers, and operators.

• Designers maintain full access to the broader design community for critique, collaboration, and knowledge sharing, fostering a culture of continuous learning and shared best practices. Methodology:

• The company's mission-driven approach ("MISSION FIRST") is central to its culture, focusing on transforming military capabilities.

• Lattice OS, an AI-powered operating system, is a core technology, implying a strong emphasis on data integration, AI, and real-time command and control systems.

• The company prioritizes bringing 21st-century innovation to the defense industry, suggesting a culture that embraces cutting-edge technology and rapid development cycles ("in months, not years").

• Design integration with engineering and product management is key, characterized by close collaboration, iterative prototyping, and hands-on implementation guidance.

Company Website: https://www.anduril.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Anduril's culture is characterized by its mission focus, technological innovation, and rapid development pace. The design team operates centrally but is embedded within specific domain organizations (like Space) to ensure deep expertise and relevant solutions. The emphasis on Lattice OS and AI suggests a technologically advanced environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a "Senior Product Designer" role, indicating a position of significant responsibility and experience. It signifies an individual contributor role with potential for technical leadership within their domain. The expectation is for the designer to own significant areas of the product and contribute to design strategy and system evolution.

Reporting Structure: The designer reports within the centralized Software Product Design & Research team but is embedded within the Space organization. They will receive guidance from a Design Lead and work closely with Product Managers and Engineering leads within the Space domain. This structure allows for both domain-specific focus and broader design community integration.

Operations Impact: The impact of this role is direct and mission-critical. By designing the user experiences for spacecraft mission planning and command & control, the designer directly influences the effectiveness and success of critical defense operations. Their work ensures operators can efficiently and accurately manage complex space assets, contributing directly to national security objectives. The designs will power systems for programs launching as early as 2026, underscoring the immediate and tangible impact.

Growth Opportunities:

• Domain Specialization: Deepen expertise in the space domain, becoming a go-to expert for mission planning and C2 design within Anduril.

• Design Leadership: Progress into a Design Lead or Manager role, overseeing design strategy for specific domains or product areas, mentoring junior designers, and influencing broader design direction.

• Design System Evolution: Play a key role in evolving and scaling Anduril's design system, potentially contributing to best practices and cross-domain design consistency.

• Technical Acumen: Develop a strong understanding of space systems, AI, and defense technology, bridging the gap between design and complex engineering.

• Cross-functional Influence: Enhance skills in stakeholder management, strategic communication, and influencing product roadmaps at a senior level.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title implies a level of autonomy and expectation to drive significant parts of the product's design. Growth opportunities are likely to involve increased scope, leadership, and specialization within the company's core technology areas.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is designated as "On-site," implying a requirement to work from Anduril's Costa Mesa, California office. This environment is likely designed to foster collaboration and innovation.

Office Location(s): Costa Mesa, California, United States. This location places the designer within a hub for technology and defense work in Southern California.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: As part of a centralized design team embedded within a specific domain, the workspace will likely facilitate close collaboration with product managers, engineers, and operators. Regular design critiques and workshops are expected.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design tools, prototyping software, and potentially specialized visualization or simulation tools relevant to space operations. Anduril's use of Lattice OS suggests an integrated technology stack.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for direct interaction with end-users (operators) and key stakeholders, providing constant feedback loops and ensuring designs are grounded in real-world operational needs. The presence of another designer in the Space domain will provide immediate peer support.

Work Schedule: While the standard is 40 hours per week, the mission-critical nature of defense technology and fast-paced development cycles may necessitate flexibility and occasional extended hours to meet project deadlines and program launches.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement suggests a preference for in-person collaboration, which is often crucial for complex design projects involving sensitive information and close work with engineers and operators.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of the application, resume, and critically, the portfolio, to assess experience, craft, and technical aptitude.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: Candidates will likely present their portfolio, walking through case studies. This phase will assess problem-solving skills, design process, communication abilities, and understanding of complex technical workflows. Expect deep dives into specific projects, design decisions, and stakeholder management.

• Cross-functional Interviews: Interviews with Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially Operators from the Space team to evaluate collaboration style, technical understanding, and cultural fit.

• Design Leadership Interview: A discussion with a Design Lead or Manager to assess strategic thinking, design leadership potential, and alignment with Anduril's design philosophy.

• Security Clearance Verification: Confirmation of eligibility and process for obtaining a TS/SCI clearance.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Technical Complexity: Highlight projects involving complex technical workflows, data visualization, or systems design. Clearly articulate the problem space and the technical constraints.

• Detail Your Process: For each case study, clearly outline your design process: problem definition, user research methods, ideation, prototyping, iteration, and final solution. Emphasize how you navigated ambiguity and collaborated with stakeholders.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, demonstrate the impact of your designs. This could be through improved efficiency metrics, reduced error rates, or positive feedback from operators. Focus on how your design contributed to mission success.

• Demonstrate Systems Thinking: Use journey maps, system diagrams, or flowcharts to illustrate your understanding of how individual features connect within a larger system and across different user types.

• High-Craft Visuals: Ensure mockups and prototypes are polished, demonstrating high visual and interaction design quality.

• Tailor to Space Domain: While not strictly required, showing any familiarity or interest in aerospace, mission planning, or complex operational systems can be beneficial.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for design challenges that may involve analyzing a complex technical problem, proposing solutions, or creating a quick prototype.

• Focus on articulating your thought process and design rationale clearly and concisely.

• Understand how to break down large problems into manageable components.

• Be ready to discuss how you would approach designing for mission-critical applications where precision and reliability are paramount.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily weigh the portfolio and the candidate's ability to articulate their design process and rationale for complex, technical systems. The security clearance is a non-negotiable requirement, so candidates must be eligible.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping Software: Proficiency in industry-standard tools such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop), and prototyping tools like InVision, Principle, or Axure. Figma is often favored for its collaborative features.

• User Research Tools: Experience with tools for conducting user interviews, surveys, and usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Google Forms, SurveyMonkey).

• Documentation Tools: Familiarity with tools for creating journey maps, user flows, and wireframes (e.g., Miro, Whimsical, Lucidchart, or built-in features within design software).

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary focus for a designer, understanding how to interpret user analytics or performance data from systems like Lattice OS could be beneficial for iterating on designs.

• Familiarity with data visualization principles would be advantageous for understanding and potentially contributing to dashboards. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant to this design role, but understanding how design integrates with product management and engineering workflows is key. Anduril Specific:

• Lattice OS: Familiarity with or ability to quickly learn Anduril's AI-powered operating system, which serves as the foundation for many of their systems.

• Design System: Experience working with and contributing to established design systems is highly valued, with a specific need to adapt Anduril's existing system for the space domain.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core tools will be standard design and prototyping software. The key differentiator will be the ability to quickly adapt to Anduril's proprietary Lattice OS and contribute to their existing design system, particularly for a new domain like space.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission-Driven: A strong commitment to the company's mission of transforming U.S. and allied military capabilities. Designs should reflect this urgency and importance.

• Innovation & Speed: Embracing cutting-edge technology and a rapid development cycle to deliver solutions in months, not years. Designs should be forward-thinking yet practical for timely implementation.

• Technical Excellence: A focus on high-quality, technically informed solutions that are precise, reliable, and scalable.

• Collaboration: Fostering strong partnerships across teams (design, engineering, product management, operators) to achieve shared goals.

• Data-Informed Design: Utilizing data, user research, and operator feedback to inform design decisions and measure impact.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers are expected to be deeply integrated with engineering, product management, and operational teams, working collaboratively to solve problems.

• Iterative & Feedback-Oriented: A culture that encourages iterative design processes, regular critiques, and open feedback exchange among designers and with other teams.

• Knowledge Sharing: A commitment to sharing learnings and best practices across the broader design community within Anduril.

• Pragmatism: Balancing ambitious design goals with the realities of mission-critical environments, delivery timelines, and technical constraints.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture at Anduril is heavily influenced by its defense industry context and its rapid, innovative approach. Designers are expected to be proactive, collaborative, and deeply committed to the company's mission, translating complex technical requirements into effective and user-friendly interfaces for high-stakes operations.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for Space Domain Specificity: Adapting existing design patterns and workflows to the unique requirements, constraints, and operational contexts of space missions, which differ significantly from ground, maritime, or air domains.

• Navigating Ambiguity and Shifting Priorities: Working in a fast-paced, mission-critical environment where requirements and priorities can change rapidly, requiring adaptability and resilience.

• Balancing Reuse and Innovation: Effectively leveraging Anduril's existing design system and technologies (Lattice OS) while also innovating and developing unique solutions for the space domain.

• Complex Stakeholder Management: Collaborating with highly specialized stakeholders (space systems engineers, operators) who may have deeply ingrained technical perspectives and diverse needs.

• Security Clearance Requirements: The need to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI clearance, which can be a lengthy and complex process.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Domain Expertise: Becoming a subject matter expert in space mission planning, command & control systems, and related defense technologies.

• Design System Expansion: Contributing significantly to the evolution and application of a large-scale design system into a new, complex domain.

• Advanced Technical Design: Gaining experience designing for AI-powered systems, sensor fusion, and real-time data visualization in critical operational environments.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Developing skills in influencing product strategy, leading design initiatives, and mentoring other designers.

• Industry Exposure: Working on cutting-edge technology at the forefront of defense innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenges revolve around adapting design expertise to a new, highly technical domain while managing the inherent complexities of defense contracting and rapid development. Growth opportunities are substantial, offering deep specialization and leadership potential.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design a complex technical workflow for operators. How did you approach problem decomposition, user research, and validation?" (Focus on process, stakeholder management, and technical understanding.)

• "How would you approach adapting an existing design system to a new domain like space, considering its unique requirements?" (Assess systems thinking, adaptability, and design system expertise.)

• "Walk us through a project where you had to balance speed of delivery with high-craft design quality in a mission-critical context." (Demonstrate pragmatism, efficiency, and commitment to quality.)

• "How do you ensure clarity and precision in your designs for highly technical users where errors can have significant consequences?" (Focus on attention to detail, user empathy for technical users, and risk mitigation through design.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in designing for the space domain at Anduril, and what do you understand about our mission?" (Show genuine interest in defense tech and Anduril's objectives.)

• "How do you typically collaborate with engineers and product managers on complex projects? Describe a challenging collaboration and how you navigated it." (Assess teamwork, communication, and conflict resolution.)

• "What are your thoughts on rapid iteration and delivering in months, not years, especially in a defense context?" (Demonstrate understanding of Anduril's pace and priorities.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, start with the problem, your role, the constraints, your process, the solutions, and the outcomes. Clearly articulate your contributions.

• Highlight Technical Workflows: Emphasize projects involving complex systems, data visualization, or command and control interfaces. Explain the technical challenges and how your design addressed them.

• Showcase Collaboration: Detail how you worked with engineers, product managers, and users. Use examples to illustrate your communication and stakeholder management skills.

• Demonstrate Systems Thinking: Use diagrams or flowcharts to illustrate how your designs fit into a larger product ecosystem or user journey.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Expect questions about specific design decisions, trade-offs, and the rationale behind your choices. Be ready to defend your work with clear reasoning.

• Address Security Clearance: Be prepared to discuss your eligibility and understanding of the TS/SCI clearance requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a strong understanding of complex technical systems, a robust design process, excellent collaboration skills, and a clear appreciation for the mission-critical nature of Anduril's work. The portfolio is the primary tool to showcase these capabilities.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer, Space position:

• Submit your application through the greenhouse.io portal using the provided link.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio prominently features case studies demonstrating experience with complex technical workflows, operator-focused software, and systems thinking. Tailor your presentation to highlight projects where precision, clarity, and attention to detail were critical.

• Optimize Your Resume: Clearly articulate your 5+ years of experience in product design, UX, or HCI. Highlight achievements related to technical design, stakeholder management, and any experience with mission-critical or high-stakes environments. Ensure keywords such as "Product Design," "UX," "HCI," "Systems Thinking," and "Technical Workflow Design" are present.

• Prepare Your Portfolio Presentation: Practice walking through your selected case studies, focusing on clearly explaining the problem, your process, your specific contributions, the solutions, and the impact. Be ready to discuss how you'd adapt Anduril's design system for the space domain and your collaboration approach with engineers and operators.

• Research Anduril & the Space Domain: Understand Anduril's mission, its technology (especially Lattice OS), and the general challenges and opportunities in designing for space operations. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest.

• Confirm Security Clearance Eligibility: Be prepared to confirm your eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. TS clearance with SCI eligibility as this is a mandatory requirement for the role.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.