True Anomaly
Lead Operations Engineer
today
USALead
Lead the Mission Operations organization in spacecraft program lifecycle from development to on-orbit operations.
Responsibilities
- We're looking for a Lead Operations Engineer to own the Mission Operations organization's contributions to a spacecraft program end to end — from early business development and proposals, through concept of operations (CONOPS) development and assembly, integration & test (AI&T), into live on-orbit operations and disposal.
- On our programs, the Operations team is the connective tissue of the engineering effort. You'll act as the generalist systems engineer who integrates the deep expertise of our specialist subsystem teams — GNC, flight software, FDIR, propulsion, thermal, ground systems, RF, avionics, and electrical — into a coherent, operable spacecraft and mission. You'll define the work your team needs to do across the program lifecycle, task it out, lead a small team of engineers in executing it, and be accountable for getting it done.
- This is a technical leadership role first and foremost. On-orbit operations experience is welcome, but what matters most is exceptional engineering fundamentals and genuine technical depth across a broad range of spacecraft subsystems and mission concepts. If you're the engineer other engineers come to when a problem spans three subsystems and nobody's sure where it lives, we want to talk to you.
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- RESPONSIBILITIES
- Own all Mission Operations deliverables for a given satellite program — from BD/proposal phase, through CONOPS development and AI&T, into live operations and disposal.
- Serve as the integrating generalist engineer across subsystem teams (GNC, FSW, FDIR, propulsion, thermal, ground, RF, avionics, EE), tying specialist work into a unified, operable mission design.
- Define, scope, and task the Operations team's work for the program — build the plan and drive execution.
- Lead and mentor a small, multidisciplinary team of ~4–5 engineers.
- Contribute engineering and operational content to business development proposals.
- Develop and mature CONOPS from early concept through operations.
- Support AI&T as a systems-level generalist, and lead anomaly investigation and resolution across the program.
- Represent Operations in cross-functional design reviews and program milestones.
- Support critical mission phases (launch, early orbit, RPO events) as needed.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in a STEM field (aerospace/astronautical preferred).
- Roughly 10+ years of experience in the space industry, or equivalent depth.
- Strong engineering fundamentals with demonstrated technical depth across multiple spacecraft subsystems.
- Experience leading small, cross-functional teams of engineers spanning multiple disciplines.
- Able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Top Secret security clearance (U.S. citizenship required).
- Willing to work on-site in Colorado Springs or Denver.
- Work Location —This is an onsite position, we are seeking candidates based near Colorado Springs, CO or Denver, CO.
- Work Schedule —flexibility to support 24/7 mission operations, including nights, weekends, holidays, and on-call availability during mission-critical events and anomaly response.
- 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. #LI-Onsite
- 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.
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Nice to have
- Master's degree in a related discipline.
- Experience across the full satellite program lifecycle — BD/proposals, CONOPS development, AI&T, and live operations.
- In-depth knowledge of spacecraft subsystems, especially GNC and flight software (FSW).
- Experience with relative navigation, rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO), and closed-loop target tracking and maneuvering.
- Familiarity with Atlassian tools (Jira, Confluence).
- Proficiency in one or more programming languages and comfort with basic scripting.
- Experience supporting USSF and/or Intelligence Community space defense missions (space control / orbital warfare).
- Experience with Space Domain Awareness (SDA) mission systems, sensors, or operations.
- Familiarity with missile defense architectures and operations.
- Active Top Secret or TS/SCI clearance.
Conditions
- Colorado Base Salary: $150,000 - $220,000
- 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.
Other
- 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.