The top 10 teams will split a $500,000 prize pool, while the highest-scoring participant could “win a job”—meaning they can skip Anduril’s usual recruiting process to interview directly with hiring managers for open roles.
The competition will begin with two virtual qualification phases between April and June, when teams submit custom Python-based AI algorithms and compete on a simulated racecourse. Top performers will advance to a two-week, in-person training and qualification program in Southern California this September. The series will culminate with the “AI Grand Prix” in Ohio, where finalists will race for the $500,000 prize pool—and a potential job at the startup.
Anduril didn’t immediately respond to Fortune’s request for comment.
His advice to aspiring engineers is straightforward: Don’t wait for someone to tell you what to do. “Work on projects that you care about,” he said.
Anduril is not alone in rethinking how to identify top performers.
