Anduril Industries is a defense technology company building advanced products for national security. Founded in 2017, the company develops autonomous systems, AI-powered software, and hardware for the U.S. Department of Defense and allied governments. Anduril applies Silicon Valley engineering principles to defense, owning its product development rather than building to government specifications.
a16z announced its investment in Anduril's Series B in October 2019 and co-led the company's $5B Series H with Thrive Capital in May 2026 at a $61B valuation. In its 2019 announcement, a16z highlighted Anduril's approach of funding product development before selling to government customers.
In the October 2019 announcement, Marc Andreessen described the investment thesis in terms of Anduril's technology, market opportunity, and founding team. The founding team brings together Palantir's government software expertise with Oculus's consumer hardware innovation.
Palmer Luckey, who founded Oculus VR and sold it to Facebook, started Anduril with three Palantir alumni: Brian Schimpf, Trae Stephens, and Matt Grimm. The company set out to build defense technology with a Silicon Valley product mentality.
Brian SchimpfCo-Founder & CEOFormer engineering lead at Palantir. Co-founded Anduril in 2017 and leads the company as CEO.LinkedIn ↗
Palmer LuckeyFounderFounded Oculus VR, which sold to Facebook for approximately $2 billion in 2014. Started Anduril in 2017 to apply consumer tech speed to defense.LinkedIn ↗
Trae StephensCo-Founder & Executive ChairmanPartner at Founders Fund and former Palantir executive. Member of the 2016-2017 presidential transition team for the Department of Defense.LinkedIn ↗
Matt GrimmCo-Founder & COOFormer Palantir executive with operations background. Leads operations at Anduril.LinkedIn ↗Marc Andreessen's October 2019 investment announcement highlighted Anduril's technology, market opportunity, and founding team.
Anduril builds advanced technology to protect those who serve on the front lines. The company applies Silicon Valley engineering principles to national security challenges, aiming to deliver capabilities faster than traditional defense contractors.
Three co-founders — Brian Schimpf, Matt Grimm, and Trae Stephens — came from Palantir, bringing experience in mission-critical government software. Palmer Luckey founded Oculus VR, sold it to Facebook, and started Anduril in 2017.
Most roles are on-site at offices in Costa Mesa (HQ), Seattle, Washington D.C., and other locations. Many positions require U.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain or maintain a security clearance due to the nature of defense work.
Anduril builds integrated hardware and software products, with Lattice as the underlying AI platform for sensor fusion, autonomous systems, and command and control. The company owns its product development rather than building to government specs.
Many roles at Anduril require U.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain and/or maintain a U.S. Government security clearance. Specific clearance requirements vary by position and are noted in individual job postings.