Engineering Manager, Propulsion Vehicle Subsystem

Menlo Ventures; Laguna Beach (CA); On-site; USD 165,000 - 290,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare

Time off

Lunch & snacks

401(k) & benefits

Equity participation

Dog Fridays

Job summary

True Anomaly is actively seeking a Propulsion Vehicle Subsystem Manager to own the strategy and execution across our propulsion platforms. You will lead a team of propulsion engineers responsible for requirements, design, analysis, testing, and delivery on aggressive schedules.

You will work closely with Propulsion Leads to ensure success, drive safety, and manage technical, cost, and schedule performance while developing the next generation propulsion subsystems for future vehicles.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering.
• 10+ years of propulsion and fluid systems experience in aerospace/defense.
• 3+ years in a direct people management or influential leadership role.
• Experience leading an engineering team through development cycles.
• Background in space propulsion or fluid system design, analysis, or test.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent workstreams and surface risks."
• U.S. Citizenship required due to government contracts.

Responsibilities

• Directly supervise, hire, and develop a team of propulsion engineers.
• Collaborate with Propulsion Leads to manage technical, cost, and schedule performance.
• Set expectations, provide feedback, conduct performance reviews, and develop team members.
• Foster a culture of technical rigor, safety, accountability, and ownership.
• Define processes and tools to enable faster delivery of high-quality products.
• Resolve blockers and cross-functional issues impacting the team.
• Mentor and manage propulsion leads balancing technical, cost, and schedule demands.
• Coordinate with Supply Chain to ensure vendors meet needs and deliver on time.

Skills

Team leadership

Propulsion systems

Systems engineering

Program management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace/Mechanical/Chemical Engineering

Master's degree (preferred)

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

As Propulsion Vehicle Subsystem Manager at True Anomaly, you will own the strategy and execution of our propulsion systems across our vehicles, and lead the people behind them. You will have the opportunity to build the team that delivers next generation propulsion subsystems to Jackal, Space Based Interceptors, and other future vehicles. You will directly lead a team of propulsion system and component REs and analysts responsible for selecting components, designing the propulsion subsystem, managing interfaces, managing external and internal suppliers, and ultimately delivering the propulsion subsystem. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who is equally comfortable jumping in and driving technical decisions as they are developing and managing the people doing that work.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Team Leadership & People Management

• Directly supervise, hire, and develop a team of propulsion engineers capable of writing requirements, designing, analyzing, testing, and delivering propulsion systems on aggressive schedules.
• Work with your Propulsion Leads to ensure their success in managing the technical, cost, and schedule performance of each vehicle's propulsion system.
• Set clear expectations, provide regular feedback, conduct performance reviews, and create development plans that grow each team member's technical skills and career.
• Foster a team culture grounded in technical rigor, safety, accountability, and ownership.
• Define processes and build tools that enable the team to deliver high quality products faster.
• Address and resolve technical blockers, resource conflicts, and cross-functional issues affecting your team.

Propulsion Deliverable Products

• Mentor and manage propulsion technical leads who are balancing the technical, cost, and schedule demands of a vehicle propulsion system.
• Manage resources across multiple dynamic programs to meet milestones efficiently.
• Provide technical oversight and approval authority for major decisions; ensure trade study conclusions are well‑supported and aligned with program needs and budget.
• Review and approve designs, analyses, and work plans for flight hardware.
• Champion safety. Ensure that requirements, designs, and plans are safe.
• Drive resolution of complex, multi‑faceted decisions that are elevated to the manager level.
• Work with Supply Chain to ensure vendors have what they need, are performing to plan, and deliver high performing product on time.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering.
• 10+ years of professional experience in propulsion and fluid systems engineering for aerospace, launch vehicle, or defense applications, with at least 3 years in a direct people management or influential leadership role.
• Demonstrated experience leading an engineering team through the development cycle.
• Background in space propulsion or fluid system design, analysis, or test.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent workstreams, track schedule and budget performance, and surface risks proactively.
• Proven track record of building cohesive technical teams and developing individual contributors.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present technical status and recommendations clearly to senior leadership and external stakeholders.
• U.S. Citizenship required due to government contracts.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Direct experience managing a development program for a space vehicle.
• Familiarity with hypergolic propellant handling requirements for NTO, MMH, UDMH, or similar propellants, including material compatibility, PPE, and secondary containment.
• Experience scaling a team during a high-growth or startup phase.
• Master's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering.
• Active DoD security clearance (Secret or above), or ability to obtain one.

COMPENSATION

• Base Salary: $165,000 to $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 or Long Beach.
• 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 know.