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Senior Payloads Engineer, Imaging Systems

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 talented and experienced Senior Imaging Systems Engineer to join our Payloads team, reporting to the Electro-Optical Systems Engineering Manager. In this role, you will be the technical authority for the camera, focal plane, and sensing element design of our EO/IR imaging systems, spanning visible, near-IR, and infrared wavelength bands. You will own the full signal chain from photon collection through detector readout, data transfer, and electrical design — ensuring our imaging payloads deliver the performance, reliability, and affordability needed for operational spacecraft. You bring deep hands-on expertise in focal plane array technologies, detector electronics, and imaging system characterization, and you thrive in a fast-paced environment where you can take ownership and drive results from concept to on-orbit operation. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Lead the design, development, integration, and testing of camera systems and focal plane assemblies for visible, near-IR, and infrared imaging payloads 
  • Own the electrical design of detector readout electronics, focal plane interface circuits, and associated analog and digital signal chains 
  • Define and execute detector and focal plane characterization campaigns, including noise, responsivity, linearity, and dark current measurements 
  • Design and optimize high-speed data transfer architectures from focal plane to downstream processing and storage 
  • Develop and maintain image data management approaches, including on-board image storage, buffering, and downlink prioritization 
  • Perform radiometric and electro-optical system modeling to predict and validate on-orbit imaging performance 
  • Collaborate with optical, mechanical, and systems engineering teams to ensure seamless payload integration and performance compliance 
  • Support integration and test activities, including environmental testing, calibration, and on-orbit commissioning 
  • Develop and maintain documentation including design specifications, test plans, analysis reports, and operating procedures 
  • Contribute to continuous improvement of EO engineering processes and practices 

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field (Master's preferred) 
  • 5+ years of professional experience in electro-optical system design with a focus on cameras, focal plane arrays, and detector electronics 
  • Hands-on experience with visible, near-IR, and/or IR detector technologies (CCD, CMOS, InGaAs, MCT, or similar) 
  • Experience with focal plane readout electronics, detector interface design, and analog signal chain development 
  • Experience with high-speed digital data interfaces and image data transfer architectures 
  • Strong understanding of radiometric analysis and electro-optical system performance modeling 
  • Familiarity with SWaPC-constrained payload design for spacecraft applications 
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills 

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

  • Experience with embedded firmware development for camera and focal plane control electronics 
  • Experience developing test software for EO system characterization and validation 
  • Familiarity with on-board memory management and image storage architectures 
  • Experience with hyperspectral imaging sensor design, calibration, and data processing 
  • Familiarity with space-qualified or radiation-tolerant detector and focal plane technologies 
  • Experience with cryogenic or thermoelectric cooling systems for IR detector applications 
  • Experience working in a fast-paced, startup environment or a similarly dynamic setting 

COMPENSATION

  • Colorado Base Salary: $130,000-$175,000
  • California Base Salary: $135,000-$185,000
  • 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

  • Ability to maintain or obtain TS//SCI clearance 
  • Work Location—this role will be onsite at either our Centennial, CO or Long Beach, CA locations, with travel to other sites as needed.
  • 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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