Senior Dynamics Analysis Engineer

True Anomaly, Inc.; Denver, Long Beach (CO, CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Health insurance

Dental

Vision

HSA/HRA

PTO & holidays

401K

Parental Leave

Job summary

True Anomaly, Inc. seeks a Senior Dynamics Analysis Engineer to lead structural dynamics for spacecraft mechanisms and actuation systems, ensuring reliability from pad to orbit.

You will own FEMs and perform modal, random vibration, and shock analyses, translating results into actionable design guidance for the team. You will partner with mechanical design, GNC, and systems engineering to maintain test correlation, advance processes, and mentor junior engineers in a fast-paced, hybrid work

Qualifications

• BS in Mechanical or Aerospace Eng; MS preferred.
• 5+ years in aerospace structural dynamics.
• Proficient with NASTRAN/ANSYS for dynamics.
• Experience with launch and on-orbit environments.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and validate FEMs for spacecraft mechanism and actuation systems.
• Perform modal, frequency, random vibration, and shock analyses across launch and on-orbit environments.
• Develop disturbance models and assess impact on pointing stability.
• Collaborate with GNC to mitigate dynamic disturbances.
• Define and support dynamic test campaigns and correlate FEM with test data.
• Translate results into design recommendations and margin assessments.
• Support mechanism trade studies, design reviews, and qualification activities.
• Maintain analysis documentation and mentor junior engineers.

Skills

FEA

Modal analysis

Random vibration

Shock analysis

Launch loads

Cross-functional

Communication

Education

Bachelor's in Mechanical/Aerospace

MS preferred

Tools

NASTRAN

ANSYS

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 Leaf
• 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

True Anomaly is seeking a skilled and experienced Senior Dynamics Analysis Engineer to join our Mechanisms team, reporting to the Mechanisms Engineering Manager. In this role, you will be the technical authority for structural dynamics analysis across our spacecraft mechanism and actuation systems — from launch load environments through on-orbit disturbance and pointing stability. You will develop and own finite element models, execute modal, random vibration, shock, and frequency response analyses, and translate results into actionable design guidance for the mechanisms and broader spacecraft engineering teams. You bring deep analytical expertise , a hands‑on approach to test correlation, and the ability to work fluidly across mechanical, GNC, and systems engineering disciplines to ensure our hardware performs reliably from the pad to orbit.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop, maintain, and validate finite element models (FEMs) for spacecraft mechanism and actuation system components and assemblies
• Perform structural dynamics analyses including modal analysis, frequency response, random vibration, shock response, and quasi‑static load analysis across launch and on‑orbit environments
• Develop and maintain mechanism‑level disturbance models, including jitter and vibration disturbance budgets, and assess impacts on pointing stability and spacecraft performance
• Collaborate with the GNC team to characterize and mitigate dynamic disturbances from actuation systems affecting attitude control and pointing accuracy
• Define and support dynamic test campaigns including modal surveys, sine sweep, random vibration, and shock testing; correlate FEM predictions with test data
• Translate analysis results into clear design recommendations and margin assessments, driving design changes where needed
• Support mechanism trade studies, design reviews, and qualification activities with dynamics analysis inputs
• Develop and maintain analysis documentation including model descriptions, analysis reports, and test correlation records
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to the continuous improvement of structural dynamics processes and tools

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field (Master's preferred)
• 5+ years of professional experience in structural dynamics analysis for aerospace, defense, or high‑reliability applications
• Demonstrated proficiency with FEA tools for structural dynamics (NASTRAN, ANSYS, or equivalent)
• Experience with modal analysis, random vibration, shock response spectrum (SRS), and frequency response analysis
• Familiarity with launch vehicle interface requirements and coupled loads analysis processes
• Experience supporting or interpreting dynamic environmental test campaigns and correlating results with FEM predictions
• Ability to work cross‑functionally with mechanical design, GNC, and systems engineering teams
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Experience with spacecraft mechanism or actuation system dynamics, including jitter analysis and disturbance budgeting for precision pointing applications
• Familiarity with GNC interface requirements and the impact of structural dynamics on attitude control performance
• Experience with coupled loads analysis (CLA) and launch vehicle ICD compliance
• Knowledge of fatigue and fracture mechanics analysis methods
• Familiarity with test‑analysis correlation methods and model updating techniques
• Experience with Python, MATLAB, or similar tools for post‑processing and automating analysis workflows
• Experience working in a fast‑paced, startup environment or a similarly dynamic setting

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

• Ability to maintain or obtain TS//SCI clearance
• Work Location: Successful candidates will be located near our Centennial, CO or Long Beach, CA locations. While we observe a hybrid work environment, some work must be done on site.
• Work Enviornment: 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 hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential 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 measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis 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.