Principal Spacecraft Simulation Software Engineer

True Anomaly; Laguna Beach (CA); On-site; USD 185,000 - 310,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental, Vision benefits

401K

Parental Leave

Job summary

A leading aerospace technology company based in California is seeking a Principal Spacecraft Simulation Software Engineer to define the technical vision for a simulation platform. The role involves making high-stakes architectural decisions, leading multi-physics simulation software design, and mentoring engineers. Ideal candidates should have 10+ years experience in simulation-focused software development, expertise in C++ and Python, and a strong educational background in aerospace or related fields. The position offers a competitive salary and equity benefits.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of professional software development experience focused on simulation or scientific computing.
• Expert-level proficiency in modern C++ and performance optimization.
• Experience defining and executing verification and validation frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Own the long-term technical strategy for simulation infrastructure.
• Make high-consequence architectural decisions across engineering and operations.
• Lead the design and implementation of multi-physics simulation software.

Skills

C++

Python

Communication

Systems thinking

Education

Bachelor's in aerospace engineering or equivalent

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Git

CI/CD

CMake

Job description

A new space race has begun. True Anomaly seeks those with the talent and ambition to build innovative technology that solves the next generation of engineering, manufacturing, and operational challenges for space security and sustainability.

OUR MISSION

The peaceful use of space is essential for continued prosperity on Earth—from communications and finance to navigation and logistics. True Anomaly builds innovative technology at the intersection of spacecraft, software, and AI to enhance the capabilities of the U.S., its allies, and commercial partners. We safeguard global security by ensuring space access and sustainability for all.

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

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 Spacecraft Simulation Software Engineer 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
• Technical decisions 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
• Risks & planning Identify and resolve fundamental technical risks before they become program-level blockers; anticipate capability gaps 12–24 months out and drive proactive investment
• Standards & practices 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)
• Architecture & algorithms 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
• Numerical methods Design advanced time-stepping algorithms, solver architectures, and integration schemes that support scalable, real-time, and batch simulation use cases
• Code quality Write production-quality C++ with emphasis on performance, correctness, maintainability, and testability; establish the quality bar others rise to meet

API Design & Integration

• API strategy 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
• Collaboration Partner with mission planning, GNC, systems engineering, and autonomy teams to understand capability needs and translate them into durable, well-documented platform investments
• Documentation Drive creation of comprehensive documentation, developer guides, and reference examples that enable self-service across the organization

Leadership & Collaboration

• Technical anchor Serve as a technical anchor across the simulation team; provide architectural guidance, unblock decisions, and ensure coherent execution toward shared goals
• Engineering culture Drive a culture of engineering excellence through rigorous code reviews, mentorship, pair programming, and knowledge transfer
• Mentorship Mentor engineers at all levels; contribute directly to career development conversations and growth planning
• Roadmaps & proposals Partner with engineering leadership to shape simulation capability roadmaps, surface tradeoffs, and contribute to proposals and technical white papers
• Cross-functional representation Represent simulation engineering in cross-functional forums, program reviews, and customer-facing discussions

QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: Bachelor's in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science, physics, applied mathematics, or equivalent experience; advanced degree preferred
• Experience: 10+ years of professional software development with deep focus on simulation, scientific computing, or aerospace applications; demonstrated progression into technical leadership roles
• C++: Expert-level proficiency in modern C++ (C++17 or newer), including STL, templates, performance optimization, and large-scale system design
• Python: Proficiency in API design, scripting, automation, and data analysis
• Technical leadership: Proven track record of setting technical direction for large, complex software systems and driving multi-team efforts to delivered capability
• Domain knowledge: Deep expertise in two or more of: ADCS, GNC, thermal control, electric power systems, chemical/electric propulsion, orbital mechanics, or HIL/SIL systems
• V&V: Demonstrated experience defining and executing verification and validation frameworks for physics-based models at scale, including uncertainty quantification and validation against test or flight data
• Systems thinking: Ability to make sound architectural decisions within complex, distributed systems
• Communication: Exceptional written and verbal communication; able to articulate complex technical concepts to both engineering peers and non-technical leadership stakeholders

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Hypersonic modeling: Experience developing high-fidelity aerothermal, aerodynamic, and flight dynamics models for hypersonic vehicles, including coupled aero-thermal-structural effects, shock layer physics, and boundary layer modeling
• Advanced physics-based M&S: Extensive experience delivering validated, production-grade simulation capabilities for aerospace or defense programs at scale
• Numerical methods: Expert-level knowledge of ODE/DAE solvers, numerical linear algebra, sparse matrix techniques, and automatic differentiation; experience tuning solvers for stiff, multi-rate, or real-time-constrained problems
• Astrodynamics & kinematics: Deep familiarity with the core concepts of space domain dynamics modeling
• Software engineering excellence: Expert proficiency with Git, CI/CD, CMake or Bazel, and testing frameworks; experience establishing engineering standards at the team or org level
• Scalable simulation infrastructure: Experience with parallel/distributed computing, Docker, and cloud platforms for large-scale simulation execution
• HIL/SIL systems: Extensive experience designing and operating HIL/SIL environments, including real-time simulation interfaces to flight software or embedded hardware
• Technical thought leadership: Published work, conference presentations (AIAA, AAS, IEEE, etc.), or patents in simulation, astrodynamics, GNC, or related domains

COMPENSATION

• Colorado Base Salary: $180,000 - $295,000
• California Base Salary: $185,000 - $310,000
• 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 facility.
• 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 submit your application, please follow the directions below.

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.