Lead Systems Engineer

True Anomaly; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 155,000 - 315,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental, Vision benefits

401(k)

Parental Leave

Job summary

True Anomaly in Denver, CO is looking for a Lead Systems Engineer to develop and integrate advanced aerospace systems. Candidates should have at least 12-15 years of relevant experience, a strong background in systems engineering, and leadership capabilities.

This onsite position involves defining mission requirements, leading technical teams, and ensuring system readiness. The role offers a competitive salary range, equity, and comprehensive benefits, highlighting the value of collaboration to secure space operations.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience at Staff level or 15+ years at Principal level in aerospace.
• Experience leading a vehicle through design, test, and verification.
• Strong background in systems engineering practices.

Responsibilities

• Define and document mission objectives and system requirements.
• Lead system trade studies and feasibility assessments.
• Prepare technical reports for stakeholders.
• Develop system-level integration and verification plans.
• Support mission operations during testing.

Skills

Technical leadership

Systems architecture

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or related field

Job description

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.

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

We are seeking a Staff or Principal Systems Engineer to join our team as a Lead Systems Engineer (LSE) in developing and integrating cutting‑edge aerospace and defense systems. In this role you will define, analyze, and ensure the successful implementation of mission requirements across complex, mission‑critical space systems, supporting national defense initiatives and advancing autonomous space operations. The LSE owns requirements, verification, and validation (RV&V) efforts, executes day‑to‑day SE process, integrates MBSE and requirements tools, leads gate review activities, and oversees the daily activities of program Systems Engineers.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with customers, stakeholders, and internal teams to define and document mission objectives, system requirements, and operational concepts.
• Translate customer and mission needs into actionable engineering solutions, ensuring alignment with technical and programmatic constraints.
• Lead system trade studies, performance evaluations, and feasibility assessments to ensure optimal system architecture design.
• Prepare detailed technical reports, presentations, and documentation for internal and external stakeholders, including government agencies and customers.
• Develop system‑level integration and verification plans, conducting end‑to‑end testing to validate mission requirements.
• Coordinate with subsystem teams to troubleshoot and resolve integration challenges, ensuring mission readiness.
• Support mission operations teams during testing and real‑time mission execution.
• Conduct system performance analysis, including reliability, safety, and mission effectiveness, under various environmental conditions.
• Assess mission success criteria and operational risks and propose mitigation strategies.
• Identify and analyze mission risks related to complex space missions, including collision risks and operational uncertainties.
• Develop mitigation strategies and contingency plans for safe and reliable mission execution.

Qualifications

• Staff level: 12+ years full lifecycle experience, including leading a vehicle through design, test, and verification.
• Principal level: 15+ years full lifecycle experience, including leading a vehicle through design, test, and verification.
• Strong technical leadership and systems architecture experience.
• Proven leadership in design, analysis, and verification on a major aerospace program.
• Strong analytical and communication skills, with ability to lead technical trades.
• Demonstrated ability to balance technical rigor with schedule and program realities.
• Strong systems engineering and technical leadership background across mechanical, electrical, and software domains.
• Strong background in systems engineering practices: requirements, verification, trade studies, interface control, and failure analysis.
• Ability to lead cross‑functional technical teams and coordinate across hardware and software boundaries.
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or related field.
• U.S. Citizen and eligible for DoD TS/SCI or TS/SAP U.S. government security clearance.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Advanced degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Systems Engineering.
• Strong track record leading cross‑functional engineering teams and managing design‑to‑delivery cycles.
• Demonstrated expertise with Model‑Based Systems Engineering (MBSE).
• Background in range certification, test readiness reviews, and safety boards.
• Active TS/SCI clearance.
• Experience in defense or classified space missions.
• Familiarity with U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and NASA mission standards and processes.
• Experience working with government agencies, primes, or subcontractors on space missions.

Compensation

• Base Salary Staff: $155,000-$300,000
• Base Salary Principal: $155,000-$315,000
• Equity and Benefits: Health, Dental, Vision, HRA/HSA options, PTO and paid holidays, 401(k), Parental Leave.

Additional Requirements

• Work location: fully onsite at either Centennial, CO or Long Beach, CA office.
• Candidate must be a U.S. citizen and eligible to obtain or hold required security clearance.

Equal Employment Opportunity

True Anomaly is committed to equal employment opportunity on any basis protected by applicable state and federal laws.