Senior Payloads Engineer, Systems

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. YOUR MISSION True Anomaly is seeking a talented and organized Senior Payloads Systems Engineer to serve as the primary technical and programmatic interface between the Payloads engineering team and the Program Office. You will be the connective tissue that keeps the team aligned, on schedule, and delivering against customer and program requirements. You will own requirements decomposition and flow-down, drive ICD development, lead technical and programmatic trade studies, and represent Payloads team interests in wider engineering forums. You are equally comfortable parsing a customer specification and facilitating a sprint planning session — and you bring the technical credibility to earn the trust of both engineers and program managers. This is a high-visibility role that directly shapes how the Payloads team executes and grows.  RESPONSIBILITIES Own requirements decomposition and flow-down across the Payloads engineering team, ensuring traceability from customer and program-level requirements to subsystem and component specifications  Develop, maintain, and negotiate interface control documents (ICDs) between Payloads subsystems and broader spacecraft systems  Serve as the primary interface between the Payloads team and the Program Office, translating technical status, risks, and needs into clear programmatic communication  Interpret and adjudicate customer specifications, identifying areas of risk, ambiguity, or non-compliance and driving resolution with engineering and program stakeholders  Lead technical and programmatic trade studies, synthesizing inputs from across the Payloads team and producing clear recommendations  Assist the Payloads team leadership in roadmap planning, ensuring near-term deliverables and long-term development priorities are clearly defined and resourced  Facilitate sprint planning, milestone tracking, and schedule development in coordination with the Program Office, keeping the Payloads team on track and dependencies visible  Represent Payloads team interests in cross-functional engineering meetings, design reviews, and customer engagements  Identify and track technical and programmatic risks, driving mitigation plans in collaboration with the engineering team and Program Office  Develop and maintain Payloads program documentation including technical plans, schedules, review packages, and status reports  QUALIFICATIONS Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related field (Master's preferred)  5+ years of professional experience in systems engineering, payload engineering, or a related technical program role  Demonstrated experience with requirements decomposition, flow-down, and traceability management  Experience developing and managing interface control documents across complex, multi-discipline engineering programs  Strong understanding of spacecraft payload systems and the ability to engage credibly with engineers across EO/IR, mechanisms, RF, electronics, and software disciplines  Experience supporting or leading programmatic activities including schedule development, milestone tracking, and sprint or agile planning  Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated ability to convey technical information clearly to both engineering and program management audiences  PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE Experience with model-based systems engineering (MBSE) tools such as Cameo, Rhapsody, or similar  Familiarity with requirements management tools such as DOORS, Jama, or Confluence  Experience working directly with government or defense customers and interpreting military or defense acquisition specifications  Familiarity with agile development methodologies applied to hardware engineering programs  Experience working in a fast-paced, startup environment or a similarly dynamic setting  COMPENSATION 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.  ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS Ability to maintain or obtain TS//SCI clearance  Work Location—Successful candidates will be located near Denver or Long Beach. While we observe a hybrid work environment, most work must be done onsite. 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.   Offices: Denver, Colorado, United States (Denver, CO); Los Angeles, California, United States (Long Beach, CA);