Chief Engineer, Ground Software

Menlo Ventures; Laguna Beach (CA); On-site; USD 190,000 - 305,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

PTO and paid holidays

401K

Job summary

True Anomaly seeks a Chief Engineer to lead the technical development of a next-generation missile defense program. You will define and oversee the engineering baseline across interceptors, spacecraft, and ground software, shaping architecture for autonomous re-entry vehicles, hypersonic GNC, and multi-vendor integration.

The role requires 15+ years in mission-critical software, including 5+ years as a chief architect, with DoD standards experience.

Qualifications

• 15+ years in large-scale, mission-critical software systems
• 5+ years in a chief architect or equivalent role
• Proven experience in real-time command-and-control (C2) or fire control systems
• Experience with DoD software standards and mission assurance processes

Responsibilities

• Define and own end-to-end ground segment architecture for a large-scale heterogenous C2 system
• Develop and enforce architectural principles for scalability, resiliency, security, and autonomy
• Ensure interoperability with satellites, comms, and battle management systems
• Architect modular frameworks enabling multi-vendor integration and rapid evolution of algorithms
• Lead the technical baseline for real-time command and control, including telemetry and mission planning
• Oversee data pipelines, telemetry ingestion, and mission visualization
• Drive RMF-aligned cybersecurity architecture and mission assurance standards
• Integrate simulation, hardware-in-the-loop, and prototypes to validate software against scenarios
• Mentor engineers and guide senior technical staff
• Interface with government stakeholders, industry partners, and subcontractors

Skills

Distributed systems

Autonomy

Real-time decision-making

C2 systems

Cybersecurity

Education

Advanced degree in Computer Science, Electrical/Computer Engineering, or related field

Tools

RMF

Zero Trust

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.

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

Architecture & Systems Leadership

• Define and own the end-to-end ground segment architecture for a large-scale heterogenous C2 system including telemetry, alert management, engagement management, decision logic, and payload command/telemetry
• Develop and enforce architectural principles for scalability, resiliency, security, and autonomy across the ground ecosystem
• Ensure interoperability with third party host satellites, communication systems, and broader battle management
• Architect modular frameworks that enable multi-vendor integration and rapid evolution of algorithms, ensuring vendor-agnostic interfaces

Technical Execution

• Lead the technical baseline for real-time command and control system, including telemetry ingest, alert monitoring, burn plans, and tactical message relay
• Direct the design and implementation of data pipelines, including telemetry ingestion, decision-making algorithms, and mission visualization
• Oversee cybersecurity architecture aligned with Risk Management Framework (RMF) and mission assurance standards
• Drive integration of simulation, hardware-in-the-loop, and operational prototypes to validate software against high-fidelity raid scenarios

Leadership & Collaboration

• Act as the senior technical authority across software teams, guiding principal engineers and system integrators
• Collaborate with systems engineering, mission operations, and hardware development teams to ensure a unified engineering baseline
• Interface directly with government stakeholders, industry partners, and subcontractors to align technical decisions with mission objectives
• Mentor engineering staff, cultivating a culture of rigor, innovation, and accountability

QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced degree in Computer Science, Electrical/Computer Engineering, or related field
• 15+ years of experience in large-scale, mission-critical software systems, with at least 5 years in a chief architect or equivalent role
• Proven track record architecting real-time command-and-control (C2) or fire control systemsfor defense, aerospace, or comparable domains
• Deep expertise in distributed systems, autonomy, and real-time decision-making architectures
• Experience with DoD software standards, cybersecurity frameworks (RMF, Zero Trust), and mission assurance processes
• Strong knowledge of networking, middleware, and high-availability architectures for space and ground systems
• Demonstrated success leading multi-disciplinary engineering teams in high-stakes environments
• U.S. Citizen and eligible for DoD Secret

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Experience with missile defense systems, battle management systems, or space-based C2 architectures
• Familiarity with hypersonic defense engagement timelines and associated fire control challenges
• Hands-on knowledge of AI/ML-enabled autonomy, simulation frameworks, and digital twin architectures
• Active security clearance or ability to obtain one
• TS/SCI clearance

COMPENSATION

• Base Salary: $190,000-$305,000
• 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—this role will be onsite at either our Centennial, CO or Long Beach, CA location, 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.

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.