Principal Software Engineer, Spacecraft Simulation

trueanomalyinc; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Flexible time off

Lunch provided

401(k) plan

Dog Fridays

Equity in compensation

Job summary

True Anomaly is hiring a Principal Software Engineer, Spacecraft Simulation to define the long-term technical vision for a scalable simulation platform. You will lead multi-physics modeling across spacecraft subsystems and drive architecture for real-time and faster-than-real-time execution.

You will shape API design and collaborate with mission planning and autonomy teams. The role demands production-quality C++ development, strong numerical methods expertise, and a passion for advancing

Qualifications

• Experience delivering production-grade C++ software.
• Background in multi-physics or aerospace simulations.
• Strong grasp of numerical stability and performance.
• Experience with API design and documentation.

Responsibilities

• Define long-term technical vision and roadmap for simulation infrastructure.
• Lead design and implementation of multi-physics simulation software.
• Design external APIs for C++ and Python integration.
• Provide architectural guidance and mentor the team.

Skills

C++

Python

Simulation

Software architecture

Tools

Git

Linux

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 asymmetrical 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

Software is the central nervous system for True Anomaly's engineering and product thesis. Software bridges the gap between military objectives, theoretical physics, and the human and autonomous control of spacecraft and ground systems. True Anomaly is seeking a Principal Software Engineer, Spacecraft Simulation to define the long-term technical vision and architecture for a simulation platform that spans some of the hardest problems in modern aerospace - from high-fidelity multi-physics modeling of spacecraft and constellations to simulation of complex, dynamic environments that don't yet have established playbooks.

At this level, your impact extends well beyond individual features. The platform you help shape will underpin mission planning, autonomy development, GNC validation, and operational decision‑making across a range of scenarios that are technically novel by design. You will set technical direction across the simulation organization, serve as the internal authority on simulation methodology and best practices, and drive the technical culture of the team.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Technical Vision & Architecture

• Own the long‑term technical strategy and architectural roadmap for True Anomaly's simulation infrastructure, spanning multi‑physics modeling, real‑time, faster‑than‑real‑time execution, and hardware/software-in-the-loop environments
• Make high‑consequence architectural decisions - technology selection, inter‑system interface design, performance targets, and long‑term maintainability tradeoffs - with full awareness of downstream impact across engineering, GNC, mission planning, and operations
• Identify and resolve fundamental technical risks before they become program-level blockers; anticipate capability gaps 12‑24 months out and drive proactive investment
• Establish and steward engineering standards, simulation best practices, and V&V frameworks adopted across the organization

Simulation Development

• Lead the design and implementation of production‑quality multi‑physics simulation software spanning spacecraft subsystems: 6DOF rigid body dynamics (gravity gradient, solar radiation pressure, atmospheric drag, magnetic torques, third‑body effects), thermal modeling, attitude dynamics and control, propulsion (chemical/electric), power generation and storage, and high‑fidelity sensor/actuator models (reaction wheels, CMGs, star trackers, gyros, magnetometers)
• Architect and implement tightly coupled physics algorithms capturing complex subsystem interactions (thermal‑structural, power‑thermal, propulsion‑dynamics) with rigorous attention to numerical stability, accuracy, and performance
• Design advanced time‑stepping algorithms, solver architectures, and integration schemes that support scalable, real‑time, and batch simulation use cases
• Write production‑quality C++ with emphasis on performance, correctness, maintainability, and testability; establish the quality bar others rise to meet

API Design & Integration

• Define the simulation platform's external‑facing API strategy across C++ and Python, ensuring interfaces are intuitive, performant, versioned, and backward‑compatible as the platform evolves
• Partner with mission planning, GNC, systems engineering, and autonomy teams to understand capability needs and translate them into durable, well‑documented platform investments
• Drive creation of comprehensive documentation, developer guides, and reference examples that enable self‑service across the organization

Leadership & Collaboration

• Serve as a technical anchor across the simulation team; provide architectural guidance, unblock decisions, and ensure cohe