Senior Propulsion Development Engineer
About the Role
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
As a Senior Propulsion Development Engineer at True Anomaly, you will play a foundational role in setting the path for propulsion testing and rapid design maturation. You will define what the facility needs to do, evaluate how to build it, and make the technical case for infrastructure decisions that will shape True Anomaly's test operations for years to come. This means developing detailed test stand requirements, leading trade studies across facility architecture and infrastructure options, and working alongside the Propulsion and Test teams to define test plans and define a facility that is safe, capable, and built to scale. This is a rare opportunity to stand up a new propulsion test capability from a blank sheet and then transition into a recurring role managing propulsion development test programs that come through the facility.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Test Stand Requirements & Capability Definition
- Develop and own the test stand requirements for True Anomaly's new propulsion test facility, derived from current and anticipated propulsion hardware test needs across the spacecraft and missile defense portfolio.
- Define test stand performance envelopes: thrust levels, propellant flow rates, operating pressures, temperature ranges, test duration, and data acquisition requirements.
- Establish requirements for propellant storage and delivery systems, pressurant supply, purge and vent systems, fire suppression, and facility utilities.
- Work with propulsion engineering team to understand hardware under test interfaces and ensure test stand designs fully accommodate the hardware needs
- Establish and maintain documentation of the facility design and capability as it evolves.
Trade Studies & Infrastructure Analysis
- Lead structured trade studies evaluating facility infrastructure options including test stand configurations, propellant feed system architecture, GSE procurement vs. fabrication, data acquisition system platforms, and facility control room layouts.
- Define figures of merit, evaluate alternatives against cost, schedule, safety, scalability, and operational flexibility, and produce clear recommendations with supporting analysis.
- Research and assess commercially available test stand components, instrumentation systems, and GSE equipment; engage vendors and evaluate technical proposals.
- Evaluate site infrastructure options including water supply, electrical power, gas supply, and effluent management to identify constraints and preferred solutions.
- Document trade study results in formal reports suitable for review by program leadership and external stakeholders.
Facility Design Support
- Translate requirements and trade study outcomes into facility design inputs; collaborate with civil, mechanical, and electrical engineers to ensure test stand and infrastructure designs are correctly specified.
- Review design drawings, P&IDs, and equipment specifications submitted documents for technical accuracy and compliance with requirements.
- Support development of the facility hazard ana