VP, Platform Engineering

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 building a new Platform Engineering organization to own the compute infrastructure that powers everything we do, from autonomous spacecraft to classified command-and-control software. As VP of Platform Engineering, you will build this organization from day one. You will hire and lead teams across AI engineering, data engineering, infrastructure engineering, and IT. You will set the technical vision for how the company builds, deploys, and operates across commercial, CUI, and classified environments. The platforms your team creates will serve every program in the company and position True Anomaly to offer accredited compute as a strategic capability in the defense market. This role has direct impact on the company’s ability to scale.   RESPONSIBILITIES  Build and lead the Platform Engineering organization from the ground up: hiring managers, setting technical direction, and scaling a team to 24+ in 2026 with significant continued growth as the company expands its program portfolio and prime capabilities  Own the company’s compute infrastructure platform strategy across commercial, CUI, and classified environments, including cloud, containers, networking, and CI/CD  Define and deliver the technical architecture for DoD Impact Level 5 and IL-6 accredited compute environments, replacing subcontractor dependency with a reusable, internally owned platform  Drive AI enablement infrastructure as the company’s top strategic priority, including the AI platform, data infrastructure, and enterprise AI tooling that the rest of the company depends on  Lead the Systems Working Group: technology evaluation, approval, and standardization across the company, backed by the engineering capacity to drive outcomes  Partner with engineering leadership, program teams, and government customers to ensure infrastructure scales with the contract pipeline and positions True Anomaly to offer accredited compute as a prime capability  QUALIFICATIONS  12+ years of experience in infrastructure, platform, or systems engineering, with 5+ years leading engineering organizations of 15+ people across multiple technical disciplines  Hands-on expertise in cloud infrastructure (AWS, Azure, or GovCloud variants), Kubernetes, container orchestration, networking, and CI/CD at scale  Direct experience building and operating DoD Impact Level 5 or higher accredited environments, with working knowledge of NIST 800-53, STIGs, RMF, and the ATO process  Track record of building engineering organizations from scratch in high-growth environments: recruiting teams, establishing culture, and delivering platforms that other teams depend on  Experience managing teams that operate across classification levels with mixed clearance requirements  Strong executive communication skills and the ability to represent infrastructure strategy to government customers, program leadership, and C-suite stakeholders  PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE  Experience in aerospace, defense, or national security technology companies  Background spanning multiple infrastructure disciplines: AI/ML platforms, data engineering, networking, and SRE/DevOps  Experience with multi-cloud and hybrid architectures including on-premises, GovCloud, and customer-deployed or disconnected environments  Prior experience at a high-growth startup (Series B through IPO) building infrastructure that scales with rapid headcount and contract growth  Familiarity with platform engineering “paved roads” operating models that balance standardization with engineering team autonomy  Active U.S. Top Secret or TS/SCI clearance  COMPENSATION   Base Salary:  $185,000 - $350,000 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 and experience.  ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS  Active U.S. Top Secret clearance required; SCI eligibility required and must be obtainable  Work Location: this role will be fully onsite at our facilities in Centennial, CO or Long Beach, CA   Work environment is in a standard office, working at a desk or in a production factory.   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);