Mission Architect, Missile Defense

True Anomaly, Inc.; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 160,000 - 300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare (company-paid)

Parental leave

401(k)

PTO & holidays

Equity

Job summary

True Anomaly, Inc. is seeking a Mission Architect to lead the definition, analysis, and execution of complex missile defense missions within a system-of-systems context.

You will own mission definition, direction, and customer alignment from contract award through mission completion, coordinating across hardware, software, and operations teams. The role requires deep expertise in orbital mechanics and autonomous space operations, with hands-on use of STK/GMAT/FreeFlyer and MATLAB/Python/C++.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience in mission analysis, space operations, or orbital mechanics.
• Strong technical leadership and systems architecture experience.
• Strong understanding of orbital mechanics, spacecraft dynamics, and autonomous space operations.
• Hands-on experience with mission analysis tools such as STK, FreeFlyer, GMAT, or similar software.
• Proficiency in simulation tools and programming languages such as MATLAB, Python, or C++.
• Experience with mission planning and real-time mission support.
• Must have or be able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI or TS/SAP U.S. government security clearance

Responsibilities

• Define and document mission objectives, system requirements, and operational concepts with customers and stakeholders.
• Translate mission needs into actionable engineering solutions.
• Lead system trade studies and feasibility assessments to optimize architecture.
• Perform system-of-systems performance modeling and integration.
• Prepare detailed technical reports and presentations for government agencies and customers.
• Coordinate subsystem teams to troubleshoot integration challenges and ensure mission readiness.

Skills

Mission analysis

Systems architecture

Orbital mechanics

Autonomous space ops

Matlab/Python/C++

Education

Advanced degree in Aerospace/Mechanical/Systems Engineering

Tools

STK

FreeFlyer

GMAT

MATLAB

Python

C++

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.

YOUR MISSION

We are looking for a Mission Architect to join our team in developing the next generation of missile defense systems. The Mission Architect will play a critical role in defining, analyzing, and ensuring the successful execution of missions across a system of systems. In this role, you will own the mission definition, mission-level trades, mission technical direction, and customer alignment throughout the full program execution lifecycle, from contract award through mission completion.

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 while ensuring alignment with technical and programmatic constraints.
• Define key mission technical performance measures to establish a mission-driven decision-making framework.
• Apply analysis and modeling techniques, including parametric analysis, to support engineering decisions in the absence of specific requirements.
• Lead system trade studies, performance evaluations, and feasibility assessments to ensure an optimal system architecture.
• Design, lead and execute engagement sequence and intercept analysis.
• Perform sensor, command-and-control, and interceptor integration.
• Design kill-chain and fire-control architecture.
• Perform system-of-systems performance modeling.
• Prepare detailed technical reports, presentations, and documentation for internal and external stakeholders, including government agencies and customers.
• Oversee the integration of mission systems, ensuring seamless interaction among hardware, software, and operational components.
• Develop system-level integration and verification plans and conduct 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.
• Apply the fundamentals of astrodynamics using software and analysis tools, including orbit propagation, orbit determination, geometric orbit analysis, and mission engineering concepts.
• Design parametric analyses and Monte Carlo studies to support engineering decision-making.
• Conduct system performance analyses, including assessments of reliability, safety, and mission effectiveness under various environmental conditions.
• Assess mission success criteria and operational risks and propose mitigation strategies.
• Conduct pre-flight and post-flight mission analyses, including trajectory reconstruction and anomaly investigations.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 12+ years of experience in mission analysis, space operations, or orbital mechanics.
• Strong technical leadership and systems architecture experience.
• Strong understanding of orbital mechanics, spacecraft dynamics, and autonomous space operations.
• Hands-on experience with mission analysis tools such as STK, FreeFlyer, GMAT, or similar software.
• Proficiency in simulation tools and programming languages such as MATLAB, Python, or C++.
• Experience with mission planning and real-time mission support.
• Must have or be able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI or TS/SAP U.S. government security clearance

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Advanced degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Systems Engineering.
• Active TS/SCI clearance.
• Experience supporting defense or classified space missions.

COMPENSATION

Base Salary:

Staff: $160,000 - $245,000

Principal: $195,000 - $300,000

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.