Director, Space Vehicle Chief Engineers

Space is a war fighting 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 VALUESBe 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 True Anomaly is seeking a highly accomplished Chief Engineer to build, develop and lead a team of Chief Engineers responsible for the technical execution of our next-generation space vehicle programs. In this role, you will serve as the senior technical authority across the space vehicle portfolio, setting engineering standards, cultivating technical leadership talent, and ensuring consistent, high-quality execution across multiple concurrent programs.

You will shape how chief engineering is practiced at True Anomaly — instilling rigor, accountability, and a culture of sound engineering judgment that scales with the company.

RESPONSIBILITIES In addition to the responsibilities above, as the Director of this team, you will:

Partner with Program Managers and senior leadership to align technical strategy with programmatic and business objectives across the portfolio

Drive consistency in technical baseline management, design assurance, and readiness review practices across all programs

Evaluate and calibrate the balance of rigor and analysis depth appropriate to the maturity and risk posture of each program

Represent the Chief Engineering function in customer, stakeholder, and executive engagements, communicating technical status, risks, and strategies with clarity

Recruit, grow, and retain top engineering talent, building organizational depth in systems engineering and technical leadership

Identify and resolve cross-program integration challenges, shared risks, and technical dependencies that span multiple vehicles or subsystemsQUALIFICATIONS
18+ years of full lifecycle aerospace or space systems experience, including leading major vehicle programs through design, test, and verification

Demonstrated experience managing and developing technical leaders, including Chief Engineers or equivalent senior roles

Deep systems engineering background with the ability to provide credible technical oversight across mechanical, electrical, and software domains

Proven ability to set technical strategy and engineering culture at an organizational level

Strong track record translating business and mission objectives into engineering execution across a portfolio of programs

Exceptional communication and leadership skills, with the ability to influence across all levels of an organization

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Systems Engineering, or related fieldU.S. Citizen eligible for DoD TS/SCI or TS/SAP security clearance PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE Advanced degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Systems Engineering Experience as a Chief Engineer on a major defense or classified space program

Demonstrated expertise establishing or scaling systems engineering organizations

Background in range certification, test readiness reviews, and safety boards

Active TS/SCI clearance

Familiarity with DoD and NASA mission standards, processes, and acquisition frameworks

Experience working with government agencies, primes, or subcontractors on space missionsCOMPENSATIONBase Salary: $230,000-$315,000

Equity + Benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, HRA/HSA options,…