Ground & Flight Test Engineer, Integration & Safety

True Anomaly; Laguna Beach (CA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 195,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Equity Options

Paid Time Off

401K

Parental Leave

Job summary

True Anomaly is seeking a Ground & Flight Test Engineer, Integration & Safety, responsible for executing test campaigns for the Space-Based Interceptor program. This role involves developing comprehensive test plans and coordinating with multiple engineering teams to ensure safety and compliance.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering and 8-14 years of relevant experience, including safety documentation and interface verification. The position is based in California, with significant travel requirements.

Qualifications

• 8–14 years of experience in ground and/or flight test planning and execution for complex aerospace systems.
• Experience in developing test plans and conducting safety reviews.
• Familiarity with verification and validation methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, and execute ground and flight test campaigns.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive test plans and procedures.
• Interface with government customers and safety organizations.

Skills

Test Planning

Systems Engineering

Safety Coordination

Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering or related field

Job description

YOUR MISSION

The Ground & Flight Test Engineer, Integration & Safety is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing ground and flight test campaigns in support of the Space-Based Interceptor (SBI) program. This role supports the full test planning and execution lifecycle — from initial concept and test requirements development through execution, data reduction, and post-test reporting — while serving as the primary integration and safety coordination lead across all test activities.

This position develops and maintains comprehensive test plans, procedures, and schedules that align with program objectives, system-level requirements, and customer intent. The engineer will work closely with systems engineers, subsystem leads, and the Test Director to ensure test events are properly sequenced, instrumented, and resourced to maximize knowledge gain while managing risk. This role leads integration planning activities across hardware, software, and ground support equipment (GSE), ensuring all interfaces are defined, validated, and ready for test.

This position will serve as the primary liaison with range safety and system safety organizations, developing and maintaining safety documentation including System Safety Plans, Hazard Analyses, and Range Safety submissions required for ground and flight test authorization.

This role will interface with U.S. Government customers, range authorities, and supplier teams to coordinate test site readiness, range scheduling, and anomaly response. The engineer will actively support test readiness reviews (TRRs), safety reviews, and mishap/failure investigations, providing technical inputs and driving corrective actions back into the test program.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field (Master's preferred).
• 8–14 years of experience in ground and/or flight test planning and execution for complex aerospace or defense systems.
• Demonstrated experience in:
  • Developing test plans, test procedures, and test reports for integrated flight systems
  • Hardware/software integration and interface verification in a test environment
  • System safety coordination, hazard analysis, and range safety documentation
  • Supporting or leading test readiness reviews and safety review boards
• Familiarity with verification and validation (V&V) methodologies and requirements traceability.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to brief technical content to program leadership and government customers.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience with missile defense, interceptor, space weapon, or highly integrated flight-test–driven programs.
• Direct involvement in range operations, flight test execution, or on-orbit demonstrations.
• Familiarity with MIL-STD-882 (System Safety), MIL-STD-1540, Range Commanders Council (RCC) safety standards, or equivalent safety and test standards.
• Experience interfacing with range safety organizations (e.g., 30th/45th Space Wing, White Sands, or equivalent).
• Experience with U.S. Government customers including USSF, MDA, or DoD program offices.
• Prior participation in anomaly resolution, mishap investigations, or failure review boards.

COMPENSATION

• Base Salary: $120,000-$195,000
• 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 and experience.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to maintain or obtain TS/SCI clearance
• Work Location: This role will be required to support efforts across our operating locations, which will require potentially significant and extended travel at times. Primary locations for much of the work will be at our GravityWorks factories in Centennial, CO and Long Beach, CA. Additional significant efforts will be required at USSF and MDA facilities in Huntsville, AL, as well as potential activities at supplier and test range locations.
• Work environment is in a standard office, working at a desk or in a production factory, test facility, or at operational test range locations.
• Physical demands may include frequent standing, sitting, walking, bending, and lifting or carrying items up to 20lbs. This position will also require significant travel.

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.