Mission Manager

True Anomaly, Inc.; Denver (CO); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare

Parental Leave

Lunch provided

401(k) plan

Equity

Dog Fridays

Job summary

True Anomaly, Inc. in Denver seeks an experienced Mission Manager to lead aerospace launch campaigns for defense and commercial space missions, coordinating across engineering, program management, and partners.

You will oversee all phases from concept through flight readiness, manage risks, and interface with government and contractors, requiring strong technical knowledge and a U.S. security clearance. Hybrid work near Denver, offering equity and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace or Electrical Engineering (Master’s preferred).
• 4+ years in launch operations or related field.
• Experience with space/defense missions and launch planning.

Responsibilities

• Lead launch planning from concept to execution.
• Coordinate with gov and partners for readiness.
• Oversee payload-vehicle integration and risk management.
• Ensure FAA/DoD compliance and safety reviews.

Skills

Launch planning

Launch vehicle integration

Regulatory compliance

Team leadership

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor’s in Aerospace/Electrical Eng

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

MS Project

Primavera

Custom tools

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

Seeking an experienced Mission Manager to lead and coordinate the planning, integration, and execution of aerospace vehicle launches for defense and commercial space missions. The Mission Manager will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the launch lifecycle, ensuring safe, efficient, and successful execution of space launch missions. This role requires strong technical knowledge of launch systems, leadership in multi-disciplinary teams, and the ability to interface with government and commercial stakeholders.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Mission Planning & Coordination:
• Lead the planning and management of launch operations from mission concept through final execution.
• Define launch objectives and timelines in collaboration with program management, engineering, and mission partners.
• Develop detailed launch schedules, identifying critical milestones and key dependencies to ensure mission readiness.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for launch operations, coordinating with internal teams, government agencies, and commercial partners.
• Interface with subcontractors and mission partners to manage requirements, schedules, and technical deliverables.
• Launch Vehicle Integration:
• Oversee the integration of payloads with the launch vehicle, ensuring compatibility and compliance with mission requirements.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to resolve integration issues and ensure that both payload and vehicle systems meet performance and safety standards.
• Work closely with vehicle providers (e.g., ULA, SpaceX, Northrop Grumman) to manage launch site operations, technical reviews, and flight readiness certification.
• Identify, analyze, and manage technical, operational, and programmatic risks associated with the launch process.
• Develop and implement contingency plans and risk mitigation strategies to minimize potential impacts to the launch schedule and mission success.
• Conduct root cause analyses of any issues arising during the launch campaign and ensure corrective actions are taken.
• Regulatory Compliance & Safety:
• Ensure that all launch operations comply with U.S. government regulations, including FAA, DoD, and other relevant agencies.
• Maintain strict adherence to safety protocols and launch site procedures to ensure the safe execution of all pre-launch and launch activities.
• Lead pre-launch safety reviews and ensure compliance with environmental and range safety standards.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Education:
  • Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related technical field (Master’s preferred).
• Experience:
  • 4+ years of experience in launch operations, aerospace systems engineering, or a related field.
  • Demonstrated experience in spacecraft development and launch, including planning, integration, testing, and execution of space or defense missions.
  • Strong knowledge of launch vehicles, propulsion systems, and ground systems, with a track record of successful mission execution.
• Technical Skills:
  • Expertise in launch vehicle integration, ground operations, and flight dynamics.
  • Familiarity with mission assurance processes and regulatory frameworks (e.g., FAA, DoD, Range Safety).
  • Experience with launch planning and scheduling tools and software (e.g., MS Project, Primavera, or custom tools).
• Security Clearance:
  • Must have or be able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI or TS/SAP U.S. government security clearance.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Experience in classified or national security space launches.
• Familiarity with various launch providers (e.g., ULA, SpaceX) and their respective vehicles (e.g., Falcon 9, Atlas V, Delta IV).
• Experience with military or government launch operations (e.g., NRO, USAF).
• Active U.S. security clearance (TS/SCI preferred).

COMPENSATION

• 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 our Denver or Long Beach facilities. 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.

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.

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

As set forth in True Anomaly’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection. As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measure the effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categories is as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.