Loads Development Lead, Space Based Interceptors

True Anomaly, Inc.; Denver (CO); Hybrid; USD 190,000 - 275,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Best-in-class health benefits

Flexible time off and holidays

Daily catered lunch and snacks

401(k) retirement plan

Equity participation

Dog Fridays

Job summary

True Anomaly, Inc. is seeking a Loads Development Lead to serve as the technical authority for structural, mechanical, thermal, and coupled loads across a next-generation Space Based Interceptors program.

You will own loads development end-to-end, establish standards, and validate analyses while guiding cross-functional teams to ensure rigorous, traceable design criteria and documentation across the full lifecycle.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of full lifecycle experience in structural loads development for aerospace systems.
• Expertise in CLA, load derivation, and structural verification.
• Experience generating and managing loads across multiple mission phases and environments.
• Strong background in structural dynamics, coupled loads analysis, and system-level load integration.
• Experience authoring, owning, and maintaining formal loads documentation such as Loads Data Books or equivalents.
• Proficiency with industry-standard analysis tools (Femap, NASTRAN, MATLAB, Python).
• Proven leadership in design, analysis, and verification on a major aerospace program.
• Ability to lead cross-functional technical teams across hardware and software boundaries.
• Bachelor's in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering; Master’s or Ph.D. preferred.
• U.S. Citizen and eligible for DoD Secret.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical authority for structural, mechanical, thermal, and coupled loads across a next-generation Space Based Interceptors program.
• Own loads development end-to-end across the full system lifecycle—from ground handling to on-orbit operations.
• Establish program standards for loads generation, margins, and documentation; develop and validate CLA; derive MAC.
• Lead design trade studies driven by load sensitivities and coordinate with multiple engineering teams.
• Mentor analysts and shape best practices to ensure rigor of the Loads Data Book and related artifacts.

Skills

Loads development

CLA

Structural dynamics

Femap

NASTRAN

MATLAB

Python

Program leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

System-level integration

Education

Bachelor's in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Master’s or Ph.D. preferred

Tools

Femap

NASTRAN

MATLAB

Python

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

RESPONSIBILITIES

True Anomaly is seeking a highly accomplished Loads Development Lead to serve as the technical authority for structural, mechanical, thermal, and coupled loads across a next-generation Space Based Interceptors defense program. This is a generational opportunity to architect the structural design basis for one of the most demanding mission sets in aerospace engineering and Space Based Interceptors defense.

In this role, you will have end-to-end ownership of loads development across the full system lifecycle, from ground handling and launch through on-orbit operations, intercept maneuvers, and end-of-life scenarios. You will establish and enforce program standards and processes for loads generation, combination, margins, and documentation; develop and validate Coupled Loads Analyses (CLA); derive Mass Acceleration Curves (MAC); and decompose system-level loads into clear design criteria and verification requirements.

The Loads Development Lead is the single point of accountability for loads methodology, assumptions, traceability, and technical rigor. You will define governing load cases, ensure consistency across subsystem analyses, adjudicate discrepancies, and act as steward of one of the program’s most critical technical artifacts: the Loads Data Book. Your work ensures that load environments are physically realistic, analytically defensible, and properly integrated into design, analysis, verification, certification, and safety margins across the program.

This role requires close collaboration with structures, dynamics, thermal, mechanisms, avionics, systems engineering, GNC, propulsion, trajectory, environments, and test teams to ensure system integrity and performance. You will lead design trade studies driven by load sensitivities, support risk reduction and anomaly resolution efforts, and represent the program in internal and external technical reviews.

As a senior technical leader, you will mentor analysts, shape best practices, and protect the intellectual rigor of the program’s structural design basis. You will play a central role in ensuring the success, credibility, and long‑term robustness of True Anomaly’s Space Based Interceptors defense architecture.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Qualifications & Experience:

• 8+ years full lifecycle experience in structural loads development for aerospace systems (spacecraft, Space Based Interceptors, interceptors, or launch vehicles)
• Expertise in CLA, load derivation, and structural verification.
• Demonstrated experience generating and managing loads across multiple mission phases and operational environments.
• Strong background in structural dynamics, coupled loads analysis, and systems-level load integration.
• Experience authoring, owning, and maintaining formal loads documentation such as Loads Data Books or equivalent governing artifacts.
• Proficiency with industry-standard analysis tools (e.g., Femap , NASTRAN, MATLAB, Python, or equivalent).
• Proven leadership in design, analysis, and verification on a major aerospace program.
• Ability to lead cross‑functional technical teams and coordinate across hardware and software boundaries.
• Bachelors Degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or related field. Master’s or Ph.D. preferred
• U.S. Citizen and eligible for DoD Secret

Preferred Qualifications & Experience:

• Master’s or Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Experience with Space Based Interceptors defense systems, interceptors, or highly dynamic flight regimes.
• Familiarity with DoD or Space Force programs, certification processes, and review cycles.
• Experience working with classified programs and handling controlled technical data.
• Background in probabilistic loads, uncertainty quantification, or margin optimization.
• Prior experience leading technical teams or serving as a subsystem or discipline lead.
• TS/SCI clearance

COMPENSATION

Base Salary: $190,000-$275,000

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

Work Location —Successful candidates will be located near Denver, CO (Centennial), Colorado Springs, CO, or Long Beach, CA. While we observe a hybrid work environment, some work must be done on site.

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.

This position will be open until it is successfully filled.

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.