Principal Software Engineer, Spacecraft Simulation

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

Software is the central nervous system for True Anomaly's engineering and product thesis. Software bridges the gap between military objectives, theoretical physics, and the human and autonomous control of spacecraft and ground systems. True Anomaly is seeking a Principal Software Engineer, Spacecraft Simulation to define the long-term technical vision and architecture for a simulation platform that spans some of the hardest problems in modern aerospace — from high-fidelity multi-physics modeling of spacecraft and constellations to simulation of complex, dynamic environments that don't yet have established playbooks.

At this level, your impact extends well beyond individual features. The platform you help shape will underpin mission planning, autonomy development, GNC validation, and operational decision-making across a range of scenarios that are technically novel by design. You will set technical direction across the simulation organization, serve as the internal authority on simulation methodology and best practices, and drive the technical culture of the team.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Technical Vision & Architecture

Own the long-term technical strategy and architectural roadmap for True Anomaly's simulation infrastructure, spanning multi-physics modeling, real-time, faster-than-real-time execution, and hardware/software-in-the-loop environments

Make high-consequence architectural decisions — technology selection, inter-system interface design, performance targets, and long-term maintainability tradeoffs — with full awareness of downstream impact across engineering, GNC, mission planning, and operations

Identify and resolve fundamental technical risks before they become program-level blockers; anticipate capability gaps 12–24 months out and drive proactive investment

Establish and steward engineering standards, simulation best practices, and V&V frameworks adopted across the organization

Simulation Development

Lead the design and implementation of production-quality multi-physics simulation software spanning spacecraft subsystems: 6DOF rigid body dynamics (gravity gradient, solar radiation pressure, atmospheric drag, magnetic torques, third-body effects), thermal modeling, attitude dynamics and control, propulsion (chemical/electric), power generation and storage, and high-fidelity sensor/actuator models (reaction wheels, CMGs, star trackers, gyros, magnetometers)

Architect and implement tightly coupled physics algorithms capturing complex subsystem interactions (thermal-structural, power-thermal, propulsion-dynamics) with rigorous attention to numerical stability, accuracy, and performance

Design advanced time-stepping algorithms, solver architectures, and integration schemes that support scalable, real-time, and batch simulation use cases

Write production-quality C++ with emphasis on performance, correctness, maintainability, and testability; establish the quality bar others rise to meet

API Design & Integration

Define the simulation platform's external-facing API strategy across C++ and Python, ensuring interfaces are intuitive, performant, versioned, and backward-compatible as the platform evolves

Partner with mission planning, GNC, systems engineering, and autonomy teams to understand capability needs and translate them into durable, well-documented platform investments

Drive creation of comprehensive documentation, developer guides, and reference examples that enable self-service across the organization

Leadership & Collaboration

Serve as a technical anchor across the simulation team; provide architectural guidance, unblock decisions, and ensure coherent execution toward shared goals

Drive a culture of engineering excellence through rigorous code reviews, mentorship, pair programming, and knowledge transfer

Mentor engineers at all levels; contribute directly to career development conversations and growth planning

Partner with engineering leadership to shape simulation capability roadmaps, surface tradeoffs, and contribute to proposals and technical white papers

Represent simulation engineering in cross-functional forums, program reviews, and customer-facing discussions

QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Bachelor's in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science, physics, applied mathematics, or equivalent experience; advanced degree preferred

Experience: 10+ years of professional software development with deep focus on simulation, scientific computing, or aerospace applications; demonstrated progression into technical leadership roles

C++: Expert-level proficiency in modern C++ (C++17 or newer), including STL, templates, performance optimization, and large-scale system design

Python: Proficiency in API design, scripting, automation, and data analysis

Technical leadership: Proven track record of setting technical direction for large, complex software systems and driving multi-team efforts to delivered capability

Domain knowledge: Deep expertise in two or more of: ADCS, GNC, thermal control, electric power systems, chemical/electric propulsion, orbital mechanics, or HIL/SIL systems

V&V: Demonstrated experience defining and executing verification and validation frameworks for physics-based models at scale, including uncertainty quantification and validation against test or flight data

Systems thinking: Ability to make sound architectural decisions within complex, distributed systems

Communication: Exceptional written and verbal communication; able to articulate complex technical concepts to both engineering peers and non-technical leadership stakeholders

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Hypersonic modeling: Experience developing high-fidelity aerothermal, aerodynamic, and flight dynamics models for hypersonic vehicles, including coupled aero-thermal-structural effects, shock layer physics, and boundary layer modeling

Advanced physics-based M&S: Extensive experience delivering validated, production-grade simulation capabilities for aerospace or defense programs at scale

Numerical methods: Expert-level knowledge of ODE/DAE solvers, numerical linear algebra, sparse matrix techniques, and automatic differentiation; experience tuning solvers for stiff, multi-rate, or real-time-constrained problems

Astrodynamics & kinematics: Deep familiarity with the core concepts of space domain dynamics modeling

Software engineering excellence: Expert proficiency with Git, CI/CD, CMake or Bazel, and testing frameworks; experience establishing engineering standards at the team or org level

Scalable simulation infrastructure: Experience with parallel/distributed computing, Docker, and cloud platforms for large-scale simulation execution

HIL/SIL systems: Extensive experience designing and operating HIL/SIL environments, including real-time simulation interfaces to flight software or embedded hardware

Technical thought leadership: Published work, conference presentations (AIAA, AAS, IEEE, etc.), or patents in simulation, astrodynamics, GNC, or related domains

COMPENSATION

Base Salary: $210,000 - $325,000

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

Work Location—this role is fully onsite. Candidates must be based in or able to commute to our Denver or Long Beach office daily.

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 know.

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