Senior Director of Space Planning

About the Team

The Real Estate & Facilities (RE&F) team is responsible for enabling Anduril's mission by ensuring our people have the right spaces to do their best work — from world-class offices to specialized labs, integration facilities, and factories. As one of the fastest-growing defense technology companies in the world, RE&F manages a global portfolio of over 5.5 million square feet across 70+ sites supporting more than 10,000 employees. Our team sits at the intersection of business strategy, workplace enablement, and operational excellence, partnering closely with every division at Anduril to scale our physical infrastructure as fast as we scale our mission.

About the Job

We are looking for a Senior Director of Space Planning to join our rapidly growing Real Estate & Facilities team in Costa Mesa, CA. In this role, you will lead our Global Occupancy Planning function, reporting directly to the VP of Global Real Estate and Facilities. You will play a pivotal strategic role in shaping how Anduril's multi-division organization uses its many sites, campuses, and factories to drive mission-critical outcomes — translating headcount forecasts, technical requirements, and cross-functional adjacencies into intelligent, executable space allocation strategies. This will require deep expertise in occupancy planning, strong analytical acumen, and proficiency with space management platforms and scenario modeling tools. If you are a forward-thinking leader who thrives in ambiguity, excels at cross-functional partnership, and is energized by rapid growth and high-stakes operational impact, this role is for you.

What You'll Do

• Lead Occupancy Demand Forecasting: Partner closely with leaders across business divisions and G&A functions to develop and maintain rolling 18–24 month space demand forecasts. Integrate headcount projections for office and desk needs with detailed technical and light industrial space requirements (e.g., labs, integration/test areas, specialized infrastructure). Refresh forecasts quarterly.
• Drive Adjacency and Portfolio Optimization: Analyze complex adjacency requirements to foster collaboration, innovation, and operational efficiency across divisions. Develop and present multiple space allocation plan options that balance individual and enterprise needs, and facilitate cross-organizational governance processes to secure decisions on building-level assignments. Refresh comprehensive portfolio allocation plans biannually.
• Own Transition Planning: Partner with Facilities Workplace, Design, and Construction teams to develop and execute detailed occupancy and construction plans, driving change management and phasing strategies that relocate teams efficiently with minimal disruption to critical defense programs.
• Build and Lead a High-Performing Team: Lead, mentor, and grow the Space Planning team. Implement best-in-class tools, processes, and data-driven methodologies — including stack planning, utilization analytics, and scenario modeling — to elevate the function across our global real estate portfolio.
• Drive Stakeholder Engagement and Strategic Alignment: Serve as a trusted advisor to business division leaders, G&A executives, and RE&F peers. Collaborate with Design & Construction, Facilities Operations, and Workplace teams to ensure plans align with broader portfolio strategy, workplace standards, and business priorities.
• Contribute to Long-Term Portfolio Strategy: Play a key role in shaping Anduril's portfolio as the company scales toward 10–12 million square feet globally, with heavy emphasis on the Southern California hub.

Required Qualifications

• 15+ years of progressive experience in space planning, occupancy planning, workplace strategy, or facilities planning, with at least 7 years in a leadership role managing complex, multi-building portfolios (2M+ sq ft preferred).
• Demonstrated success in a fast-growing manufacturing, technology, or similarly dynamic multi-division organization, supporting R&D, industrial, and office environments.
• Strong ability to translate business forecasts and technical requirements into actionable space plans; proficiency with space management software (e.g., IWMS, CAFM, stack planning tools), data analytics, and scenario modeling.
• Track record of building high-performing teams and influencing senior executives and cross-functional stakeholders in matrixed environments, with excellent facilitation and communication skills.
• Experience planning and executing large-scale moves and portfolio transformations in high-growth settings.
• Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Interior Design, Real Estate, Facilities Management, Business, or a related field.
• Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export controlled information or facilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree or relevant professional certifications (e.g., CoreNet, IFMA, AIA).
• Experience managing portfolios with a significant concentration in Southern California.
• Familiarity with defense, aerospace, or mission-driven environments where security and program sensitivity inform space planning decisions.

This role is ideal for a collaborative, forward-thinking leader who thrives in ambiguity, excels at cross-functional partnership, and is passionate about creating workplaces that accelerate innovation in a high-stakes industry.

If you have led space planning for large, multi-division tech or mission-driven organizations and are excited by rapid growth and strategic impact, we encourage you to apply.