Senior Software Engineer, Spacecraft Simulation

Job description

Space is a warfighting domain. True Anomaly seeks those with the talent and ambition to build the technology that secures it.
OUR MISSION
True Anomaly delivers decisive capabilities for space superiority. We build autonomous spacecraft, advanced payloads, mission software, and space-based interceptors — enabling the U.S. and its Allies to secure the space environment and counter threats from the ultimate high ground.
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.
BENEFITS & PERKS*
Best-in-class healthcare: 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents, with HSA/HRA options
Generous time off: Flexible Time Off (FTO) for exempt employees, accrued PTO of up to 25 days for non-exempt employees, plus 12 paid holidays; Parental Leave; Sick Leave
Fuel for your day: Daily catered lunch and unlimited snacks for in-office employees
And more: 401(k) retirement plan, fitness reimbursement, and Dog Fridays
Equity participation: Equity is included as part of our total compensation package, giving you an opportunity to share in the company’s success.
*Do not apply to fixed term and temporary roles
YOUR MISSION
Software is the central nervous system for True Anomaly's engineering and product thesis. Software bridges the gap between military objectives, theoretical physics, and the human and autonomous control of spacecraft and ground systems. True Anomaly is seeking a Senior Spacecraft Simulation Software Engineer to drive the development and enhancement of our spacecraft, constellation modeling, and simulation software with a focus on multi-physics, high-fidelity simulation.
You will take ownership of significant technical components within our simulation infrastructure, working independently to design, implement, and deliver complex features. Working in a fast-paced, interdisciplinary team, you will develop algorithms for modeling coupled physics including 6-degree-of-freedom (6DOF) rigid body dynamics, thermal systems, attitude dynamics and control, power systems, propulsion, and their interactions. You will also mentor junior engineers and contribute to architectural decisions that shape the future of our simulation capabilities.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Simulation Development
Design and implement multi-physics simulation software across spacecraft subsystems: 6DOF rigid body dynamics (gravity gradient, solar radiation pressure, atmospheric drag, magnetic torques, third-body effects), thermal modeling, attitude dynamics and control, propulsion (chemical/electric), power generation and storage, and high-fidelity sensor/actuator models (reaction wheels, CMGs, star trackers, gyros, magnetometers)
Develop coupled physics algorithms capturing subsystem interactions (thermal-structural, power-thermal, propulsion-dynamics)
Design time-stepping algorithms, solver architectures, and integration schemes for real-time and faster-than-real-time simulation
Write production-quality C++ with emphasis on performance, maintainability, and testability
API Design & Integration
Design and maintain robust APIs in C++ and Python serving internal customers across the organization
Collaborate with mission planning, GNC, and systems engineering teams to ensure APIs are usable, performant, and backward-compatible
Create comprehensive documentation, examples, and user guides
Leadership & Collaboration
Drive architectural decisions for simulation subsystems, including technology selection, interface design, and long-term maintainability tradeoffs; conduct thorough code reviews
Mentor junior engineers through pair programming and technical guidance
Contribute to sprint planning, estimation, and technical risk assessment
Participate in hiring through technical interviews and candidate assessment

QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Bachelor's in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science, physics, applied mathematics, or equivalent experience
Experience: 5–8 years of professional software development with significant focus on simulation, scientific computing, or aerospace applications
C++: Proficiency in modern C++ (C++17 or newer), including STL, templates, and performance optimization
Python: Proficiency in API design, scripting, and data analysis
Independence: Demonstrated ability to take ambiguous requirements and drive a complex technical effort to delivered capability with minimal direction
Domain knowledge: Solid understanding of at least one of: ADCS, GNC, thermal control, electric power systems, chemical/electric propulsion, orbital mechanics, or HIL/SIL systems
V&V: Demonstrated experience defining and executing verification and validation plans for physics-based models, including uncertainty quantification and validation against test or flight data
Systems thinking: Ability to make sound design decisions within larger distributed systems
Communication: Strong written and verbal skills; able to articulate complex technical concepts clearly
Clearance: U.S. Citizen eligible for DoD Secret or TS/SCI clearance
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
Physics-based M&S experience in aerospace or defense
Numerical methods: ODE/DAE solvers (Runge-Kutta, implicit, multi-step), numerical linear algebra, sparse matrix techniques, automatic differentiation
Deep familiarity with coordinate frames (ECI, ECEF, LVLH, body frames), quaternion mathematics, and orbital mechanics
Proficiency with Git, CI/CD, CMake or Bazel, and software testing frameworks
Familiarity with parallel computing, Docker, and cloud platforms
Experience with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) or software-in-the-loop (SIL) testing environments, including simulation interfaces to flight software or embedded hardware

COMPENSATION

Base Salary: $140,000 - $215,000
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 or Long Beach. 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 know.
To protect candidates and our company from application fraud and impersonation, we use third-party tools to verify applicant identity and detect fraudulent applications. Learn more in our Privacy Notice.
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