Software Engineer, Missile Defense Simulation (II - Principal)
True Anomaly · True Anomaly develops space security technologies, including spacecraft, software platforms, and mission systems for orbital operations.
$90K–$325KDenver, CO; Long Beach, CA251-500 employeesPosted 18 days ago
Series D · $600Mraised 6 months agoled by Menlo Ventures, Accel, Paradigm
This board only lists companies whose most recent round closed in the last 180 days.
<div class="content-intro"><p class="ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message">Space is a warfighting domain. True Anomaly seeks those with the talent and ambition to build the technology that secures it.</p>
<p class="ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message"><u>OUR MISSION</u></p>
<p class="ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message">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.</p>
<p class="ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message"><u>OUR VALUES</u></p>
<ul>
<li class="ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message"><strong>Be the offset.</strong><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We create asymmetric advantages with creativity and ingenuity.</li>
<li class="ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message"><strong>What would it take?</strong> We challenge assumptions to deliver ambitious results.</li>
<li class="ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message"><strong>It’s the people.</strong> Our team is our competitive advantage and we are better together.</li>
</ul>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">BENEFITS & PERKS</span>*</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Best-in-class healthcare: </strong>100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents, with HSA/HRA options</li>
<li><strong>Generous time off: </strong>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</li>
<li><strong>Fuel for your day: </strong>Daily catered lunch and unlimited snacks for in-office employees</li>
<li><strong>And more: </strong>401(k) retirement plan, fitness reimbursement, and Dog Fridays</li>
<li><strong>Equity participation: </strong>Equity is included as part of our total compensation package, giving you an opportunity to share in the company’s success.</li>
</ul>
<p>*Do not apply to fixed term and temporary roles</p></div><p><u>YOUR MISSION</u></p>
<p>Modeling and simulation is how True Anomaly turns operational problems into engineering decisions. Before a spacecraft flies or an interceptor engages, our simulations tell us whether the architecture will work, how it will perform against a thinking adversary, and where the margins really are. True Anomaly is seeking a Modeling & Simulation Engineer to build and run the mission- and engagement-level simulations that drive design, concept-of-operations, and acquisition decisions across our space and missile defense portfolio.</p>
<p>You will work in a fast-paced, interdisciplinary team to model threats, sensors, spacecraft, interceptors, and command-and-control (C2) systems. This role focuses on building credible, validated simulation environments and turning their results into clear recommendations for engineers, program leadership, and government customers.</p>
<p><strong>RESPONSIBILITIES</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Develop and maintain physics-based models for space and missile defense mission analysis, including:
<ul>
<li>Threat trajectories, including ballistic, hypersonic, maneuvering, and on-orbit threats</li>
<li>Space-based and terrestrial sensors (electro-optical/infrared, radar, RF), including detection, tracking, and discrimination performance</li>
<li>Interceptor and spacecraft kinematics, guidance, navigation, and control (GNC), and engagement geometry</li>
<li>Rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO), orbit determination, and space domain awareness (SDA)</li>
<li>Communications links, data latency, and C2/battle management decision logic</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Build engagement- and mission-level simulations that tie these models together for end-to-end kill-chain analysis (detect, track, target, engage, assess)</li>
<li>Integrate models into digital engineering, software-in-the-loop (SIL), hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), and distributed simulation environments</li>
<li>Define and execute model verification, validation, and accreditation (VV&A), and correlate simulation results with test and flight data</li>
<li>Develop analysis tooling, automation, and visualization in Python and C++</li>
<li>Collaborate with systems, GNC, payload, software, and flight-test engineers to support requirements development, test planning, and verification</li>
<li>Participate in code reviews, architectural discussions, and sprint planning sessions to maintain high standards of quality and adherence to project timelines</li>
<li>Run Monte Carlo, sensitivity, and trade studies, and brief results to internal and government stakeholders</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>QUALIFICATIONS</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, physics, applied mathematics, computer science, a similar discipline, or relevant experience</li>
<li>2+ years of professional experience in modeling and simulation, mission analysis, or aerospace/defense systems engineering</li>
<li>Experience modeling at least one of the following:
<ul>
<li>Ballistic, hypersonic, or maneuvering threats</li>
<li>Space-based interceptors or kinetic and non-kinetic engagement</li>
<li>EO/IR, radar, or RF sensor phenomenology and tracking/fusion algorithms</li>
<li>Spacecraft attitude, orbit determination, and RPO</li>
<li>C2, battle management, and weapon-target assignment</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Proficiency in Python and C++ for model development and data analysis</li>
<li>Working knowledge of orbital mechanics, flight dynamics, or missile/interceptor trajectories</li>
<li>Strong written and verbal communication skills, including presenting technical results to non-specialist audiences</li>
<li>Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail</li>
<li>Experience with Monte Carlo methods, statistical analysis, and data visualization</li>
<li>U.S. Citizen and eligible for DoD Secret or TS/SCI clearance</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Active DoD Secret or TS/SCI clearance; SAP eligibility</li>
<li>Experience supporting space or missile defense programs (e.g., MDA, SDA, Space Systems Command, Golden Dome)</li>
<li>Knowledge of numerical methods:
<ul>
<li>ODE solvers and integration schemes (Runge-Kutta, etc.)</li>
<li>Estimation and filtering (Kalman filters, batch least squares)</li>
<li>Optimization and design of experiments</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Experience with 6DOF simulation and GNC algorithm analysis</li>
<li>Experience with uncertainty quantification and model VV&A</li>
<li>Experience with version control systems (Git) and CI/CD pipelines</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>COMPENSATION</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><strong><span data-contrast="none">Base Salary: </span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":240}">$90,000 - $325,000</span></li>
<li><strong><span data-contrast="none">Equity + Benefits</span></strong><span data-contrast="none"> including Health, Dental, Vision, HRA/HSA options, PTO and paid holidays, 401K, Parental Leave</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":240}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<p><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":240}"><em><span class="TextRun SCXW83253800 BCX0" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW83253800 BCX0">Your actual level and base salary will be </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW83253800 BCX0">determined</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW83253800 BCX0"> on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, location, and experience.</span></span></em><span class="EOP SCXW83253800 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"335559739":0}"> </span></span></p>
<p><strong>ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Work Location</strong>—Successful candidates will be located near Denver or Long Beach. While we observe a hybrid work environment, some work must be done on site.</li>
<li><strong>Work environment</strong>—the work environment; temperature, noise level, inside or outside, or other factors that will affect the person's working conditions while performing the job.</li>
<li><strong>Physical demands</strong>—the physical demands of the job, including bending, sitting, lifting and driving.</li>
</ul>
<p><span class="TextRun SCXW267002851 BCX0" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW267002851 BCX0">This position will be open until it is successfully filled. To </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW267002851 BCX0">submit</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW267002851 BCX0"> your application, please follow the directions below.#LI-Onsite</span></span><span class="TextRun MacChromeBold SCXW267002851 BCX0" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none"> </span></p><div class="content-conclusion"><p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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 <a href="https://www.trueanomaly.space/legal/privacy-policy" target="_blank">Privacy Notice</a>.</p></div>
Apply on True Anomaly’s site
Applications go straight to the employer. VCBacked does not sit between you and the company.