Principal Software Engineer, Spacecraft Simulation
trueanomalyinc
1 day ago
Full-time
On-site
Denver, CO; Long Beach, CA
$210,000 - $325,000 USD yearly
Engineering
Moneyboard classification: Published range reaches threshold
Reported USD annual base: $210,000–$325,000
Original source: Greenhouse
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, temp
Reported USD annual base: $210,000–$325,000
Original source: Greenhouse
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, temp