Forget a degree—$30 billion defense startup Anduril will fast-track your job application if you can win its AI drone-flying contest

Company Overview - Anduril is a $30 billion defense technology startup focused on autonomous systems designed to support U.S. forces and allies [1][5] - The company was founded by Palmer Luckey, known for his early work in virtual reality and the acquisition of Oculus by Meta for approximately $2 billion in 2014 [5] Hiring Approach - Anduril is adopting a unique hiring strategy that emphasizes practical skills over traditional qualifications, encouraging candidates to demonstrate their abilities through real-world applications [1][6] - The company seeks individuals who have engaged in projects beyond their formal job descriptions or academic requirements, indicating a willingness to innovate and contribute meaningfully [7] AI Grand Prix Competition - Anduril is launching an "AI Grand Prix," an open-invitation event for engineers to showcase their coding skills in a drone racing competition, where autonomous software will pilot the drones [2][3] - The competition will feature a $500,000 prize pool for the top 10 teams, with the highest-scoring participant receiving a direct interview opportunity with Anduril's hiring managers, bypassing the usual recruitment process [3] Competition Structure - The competition will consist of two virtual qualification phases from April to June, where teams will submit custom Python-based AI algorithms and compete on a simulated racecourse [3] - Successful teams will advance to a two-week in-person training and qualification program in Southern California, culminating in the final race in Ohio [3]