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Chief Engineer, Missile Defense

Denver, CO or Long Beach, CA

A new space race has begun. True Anomaly seeks those with the talent and ambition to build innovative technology that solves the next generation of engineering, manufacturing, and operational challenges for space security and sustainability.

OUR MISSION

The peaceful use of space is essential for continued prosperity on Earth—from communications and finance to navigation and logistics. True Anomaly builds innovative technology at the intersection of spacecraft, software, and AI to enhance the capabilities of the U.S., its allies, and commercial partners. We safeguard global security by ensuring space access and sustainability for all.

OUR VALUES

  • Be the offset. We create asymmetric advantages with creativity and ingenuity
  • What would it take? We challenge assumptions to deliver ambitious results
  • It’s the people. Our team is our competitive advantage and we are better together

YOUR MISSION

True Anomaly is seeking a highly accomplished Chief Engineer to lead the technical development and execution of a next-generation missile defense program. This is a generational opportunity to architect solutions to some of the most formidable challenges in aerospace engineering including autonomous re-entry vehicles, hypersonic GNC, and the orchestration of heterogeneous agents. You will be responsible for defining, guiding, and overseeing the engineering baseline across a novel missile-defense solution spanning interceptors, spacecraft, and ground software. It will fall to you to bring bold, creative solutions without sacrificing technical rigor, flawless execution, and mission success. At True Anomaly, this means shaping history, defining the technical playbook for how missile defense is achieved in space through engineering solutions that endure, inspire, and defend against tomorrow’s most formidable threats. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Technical Authority: Serve as the overall technical lead and design authority for the SBI program, accountable for system architecture, requirements validation, design integration, and engineering decision-making. 
  • Lifecycle Leadership: Guide the program from early concept development through preliminary and critical design reviews, system integration, test campaigns, launch, on-orbit demonstration, and operational deployment. 
  • System Engineering Integration: Lead the decomposition and integration of requirements across subsystems including propulsion, avionics, flight software, seeker sensors, guidance-navigation-control (GNC), and kill vehicle systems. 
  • Risk Management: Anticipate, identify, and resolve technical risks across design, manufacturing, and mission operations. 
  • Cross-Functional Leadership: Work closely with program management, systems engineering, and functional engineering organizations to ensure technical alignment, cost and schedule adherence, and mission assurance. 
  • Stakeholder Engagement: Act as the primary technical interface with government customers, mission partners, and subcontractors. Present program progress at technical interchange meetings, design reviews, and flight readiness reviews. 
  • Mentorship & Culture: Build and mentor a high-performing technical team, instilling a culture of rigor, accountability, and innovation. 

 

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

  • B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related discipline. M.S. or Ph.D. preferred. 
  • Minimum 15 years of engineering experience in aerospace, missile defense, or space systems.
  • Proven track record of taking at least one complex aerospace/defense program through the full life cycle (concept → development → test → operational deployment).
  • Experience with DoD acquisition programs, mission assurance standards, and system safety requirements. 
  • Demonstrated command of at least three or more of the following domains: 
    • Design and operation of reusable launch vehicles or space vehicles 
    • Bi-Propellant Liquid Rocket Engines 
    • Flight Dynamics / GNC 
    • Reentry Vehicles 
    • Seeker Sensors (EO/IR, RF, or multi-mode) 
    • Kill Vehicle Design & Integration 
    • Autonomous Systems 

 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Demonstrated success leading large, multidisciplinary engineering teams.
  • Experience with space-to-space engagement concepts and missile defense mission sets.
  • Prior involvement in hardware-in-the-loop testing and integrated flight test campaigns.
  • Familiarity with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and digital engineering toolchains.
  • Active TS/SCI security clearance or eligibility. 

 

COMPENSATION

  • Base Salary:  Denver: $220,000 - $285,000 | Long Beach: $225,000 - $290,000
  • Equity + Benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, HRA/HSA options, PTO and paid holidays, 401K, Parental Leave 

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, location, and experience. 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Work Location—Successful candidates will be located near Denver. While we observe a hybrid work environment, some work must be done on site.
  • Work environment—the work environment; temperature, noise level, inside or outside, or other factors that will affect the person's working conditions while performing the job.
  • Physical demands—the physical demands of the job, including bending, sitting, lifting and driving.

This position will be open until it is successfully filled. To submit your application, please follow the directions below.

#LI-Onsite 

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

True Anomaly is committed to equal employment opportunity on any basis protected by applicable state and federal laws. If you have a disability or additional need that requires accommodation, please do not hesitate to let us.

 

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