Senior Software Engineer, Spacecraft Simulation

True Anomaly, Inc.; Long Beach (CA); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 215,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare

Flexible time off

Lunch provided

401(k) + benefits

Equity

Dog Fridays

Job summary

True Anomaly is seeking a Senior Spacecraft Simulation Software Engineer to drive the development of multi-physics, high-fidelity simulation for spacecraft and ground systems. You will own substantial components, design algorithms for 6DOF dynamics, thermal models, attitude control, and propulsion, and mentor junior engineers in a fast-paced team.

You will deliver production-quality C++ and Python APIs, collaborate with mission planning and GNC teams, and help shape future simulation

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science, physics or applied mathematics.
• 5–8 years of professional software development with focus on simulation, scientific computing, or aerospace applications.
• Proficiency in modern C++ (C++17+), STL, templates, and performance optimization.
• Proficiency in Python for API design, scripting, and data analysis.
• Ability to translate ambiguous requirements into deliverable technical capabilities with minimal direction.
• Knowledge of ADCS, GNC, thermal control, electric power systems, propulsion, orbital mechanics, or HIL/SIL is preferred.
• Experience in verification and validation plans for physics-based models, including uncertainty quantification.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work within distributed teams.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement multi-physics simulation software across spacecraft subsystems (6DOF dynamics, thermal modeling, attitude control, propulsion, power, sensors/actuators).
• Develop coupled-physics algorithms capturing subsystem interactions (thermal-structural, power-thermal, propulsion-dynamics).
• Design time-stepping, solver architectures, and integration schemes for real-time or faster-than-real-time simulation.
• Write production-quality C++ with emphasis on performance and testability.
• Design and maintain robust C++ and Python APIs for internal customers.

Skills

C++ proficiency

Python proficiency

Independence

Systems thinking

Communication skills

Clearance eligibility

Education

Bachelor's degree in aerospace/mechanical/CS/physics

Tools

Git

CI/CD

CMake

Bazel

Docker

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

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 Senior Spacecraft Simulation Software Engineer to drive the development and enhancement of our spacecraft, constellation modeling, and simulation software with a focus on multi-physics, high-fidelity simulation. You will take ownership of significant technical components within our simulation infrastructure, working independently to design, implement, and deliver complex features. Working in a fast-paced, interdisciplinary team, you will develop algorithms for modeling coupled physics including 6-degree-of-freedom (6DOF) rigid body dynamics, thermal systems, attitude dynamics and control, power systems, propulsion, and their interactions. You will also mentor junior engineers and contribute to architectural decisions that shape the future of our simulation capabilities.

Simulation Development

• Design and implement multi-physics simulation software across 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)
• Develop coupled physics algorithms capturing subsystem interactions (thermal-structural, power-thermal, propulsion-dynamics)
• Design time-stepping algorithms, solver architectures, and integration schemes for real-time and faster-than-real-time simulation
• Write production-quality C++ with emphasis on performance, maintainability, and testability

API Design & Integration

• Design and maintain robust APIs in C++ and Python serving internal customers across the organization
• Collaborate with mission planning, GNC, and systems engineering teams to ensure APIs are usable, performant, and backward-compatible
• Create comprehensive documentation, examples, and user guides

Leadership & Collaboration

• Drive architectural decisions for simulation subsystems, including technology selection, interface design, and long-term maintainability tradeoffs; conduct thorough code reviews
• Mentor junior engineers through pair programming and technical guidance
• Contribute to sprint planning, estimation, and technical risk assessment
• Participate in hiring through technical interviews and candidate assessment

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science, physics, applied mathematics, or equivalent experience
• Experience: 5–8 years of professional software development with significant focus on simulation, scientific computing, or aerospace applications
• C++: Proficiency in modern C++ (C++17 or newer), including STL, templates, and performance optimization
• Python: Proficiency in API design, scripting, and data analysis
• Independence: Demonstrated ability to take ambiguous requirements and drive a complex technical effort to delivered capability with minimal direction
• Domain knowledge: Solid understanding of at least one 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 plans for physics-based models, including uncertainty quantification and validation against test or flight data
• Systems thinking: Ability to make sound design decisions within larger distributed systems
• Communication: Strong written and verbal skills; able to articulate complex technical concepts clearly
• Clearance: U.S. Citizen eligible for DoD Secret or TS/SCI clearance

Preferred Skills And Experience

• Physics-based M&S experience in aerospace or defense
• Numerical methods: ODE/DAE solvers (Runge-Kutta, implicit, multi-step), numerical linear algebra, sparse matrix techniques, automatic differentiation
• Deep familiarity with coordinate frames (ECI, ECEF, LVLH, body frames), quaternion mathematics, and orbital mechanics
• Proficiency with Git, CI/CD, CMake or Bazel, and software testing frameworks
• Familiarity with parallel computing, Docker, and cloud platforms
• Experience with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) or software-in-the-loop (SIL) testing environments, including simulation interfaces to flight software or embedded hardware

Compensation

• Base Salary: $140,000 - $215,000
• 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. 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.

This position will be open until it is successfully filled.

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.