Software Engineer, Missile Defense Simulation (II - Principal)

True Anomaly, Inc.; Laguna Beach (CA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 325,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental, Vision benefits

PTO & holidays

Hybrid work environment

401k & parental leave

Job summary

True Anomaly, Inc. seeks a Modeling & Simulation Engineer to build and run mission simulations for space superiority. You will model threats, sensors, spacecraft, interceptors, and C2 systems in a fast-paced, interdisciplinary team to guide design decisions.

You will develop physical models, perform VV&A, and produce actionable analysis with Python and C++. This hybrid role requires a U.S. passport and clearance eligibility and offers a path to contribute to high‑level defense programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering or related field.
• 2+ years of professional experience in modeling and simulation, mission analysis, or aerospace/defense systems engineering.
• Experience modeling threats, space-based interceptors, or C2/battle management systems.
• Proficiency in Python and C++ for model development and data analysis.
• Knowledge of orbital mechanics, flight dynamics, or missile/interceptor trajectories.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for presenting technical results.
• Experience with Monte Carlo methods and data visualization.
• U.S. Citizen and eligible for DoD clearance.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain physics-based models for space and missile defense mission analysis.
• Build engagement- and mission-level simulations for end-to-end kill-chain analysis.
• Integrate models into SIL, HIL, and distributed simulation environments.
• Define and execute model verification, validation, and accreditation.
• Develop analysis tooling, automation, and visualization in Python and C++.
• Collaborate with systems, GNC, payload, software, and flight-test engineers.
• Participate in code reviews, architectural discussions, and sprint planning.
• Run Monte Carlo, sensitivity, and trade studies and brief results.

Skills

Python

C++

Monte Carlo methods

Data visualization

Orbital mechanics

Technical communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in aerospace/defense

Tools

Git

CI/CD pipelines

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

Modeling and simulation is how True Anomaly turns operational problems into engineering decisions. Before a spacecraft flies or an interceptor engages, our simulations tell us whether the architecture will work, how it will perform against a thinking adversary, and where the margins really are. True Anomaly is seeking a Modeling & Simulation Engineer to build and run the mission- and engagement‑level simulations that drive design, concept-of-operations, and acquisition decisions across our space and missile defense portfolio.

You will work in a fast‑paced, interdisciplinary team to model threats, sensors, spacecraft, interceptors, and command-and‑control (C2) systems. This role focuses on building credible, validated simulation environments and turning their results into clear recommendations for engineers, program leadership, and government customers.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and maintain physics-based models for space and missile defense mission analysis, including:
  • Threat trajectories, including ballistic, hypersonic, maneuvering, and on-orbit threats
  • Space-based and terrestrial sensors (electro-optical/infrared, radar, RF), including detection, tracking, and discrimination performance
  • Interceptor and spacecraft kinematics, guidance, navigation, and control (GNC), and engagement geometry
  • Rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO), orbit determination, and space domain awareness (SDA)
  • Communications links, data latency, and C2/battle management decision logic
• Build engagement- and mission-level simulations that tie these models together for end‑to‑end kill‑chain analysis (detect, track, target, engage, assess)
• Integrate models into digital engineering, software‑in‑the‑loop (SIL), hardware‑in‑the‑loop (HIL), and distributed simulation environments
• Define and execute model verification, validation, and accreditation (VV&A), and correlate simulation results with test and flight data
• Develop analysis tooling, automation, and visualization in Python and C++
• Collaborate with systems, GNC, payload, software, and flight‑test engineers to support requirements development, test planning, and verification
• Participate in code reviews, architectural discussions, and sprint planning sessions to maintain high standards of quality and adherence to project timelines
• Run Monte Carlo, sensitivity, and trade studies, and brief results to internal and government stakeholders

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, physics, applied mathematics, computer science, a similar discipline, or relevant experience
• 2+ years of professional experience in modeling and simulation, mission analysis, or aerospace/defense systems engineering
• Experience modeling at least one of the following:
  • Ballistic, hypersonic, or maneuvering threats
  • Space-based interceptors or kinetic and non‑kinetic engagement
  • EO/IR, radar, or RF sensor phenomenology and tracking/fusion algorithms
  • Spacecraft attitude, orbit determination, and RPO
  • C2, battle management, and weapon‑target assignment
• Proficiency in Python and C++ for model development and data analysis
• Working knowledge of orbital mechanics, flight dynamics, or missile/interceptor trajectories
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including presenting technical results to non‑specialist audiences
• Excellent problem‑solving skills and attention to detail
• Experience with Monte Carlo methods, statistical analysis, and data visualization
• U.S. Citizen and eligible for DoD Secret or TS/SCI clearance

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Active DoD Secret or TS/SCI clearance; SAP eligibility
• Experience supporting space or missile defense programs (e.g., MDA, SDA, Space Systems Command, Golden Dome)
• Knowledge of numerical methods:
  • ODE solvers and integration schemes (Runge‑Kutta, etc.)
  • Estimation and filtering (Kalman filters, batch least squares)
  • Optimization and design of experiments
• Experience with 6DOF simulation and GNC algorithm analysis
• Experience with uncertainty quantification and model VV&A
• Experience with version control systems (Git) and CI/CD pipelines

COMPENSATION

• Base Salary: $90,000 - $325,000
• 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.

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