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Salary: USD 160,000 - 250,000 / annual
True Anomaly builds autonomous spacecraft, advanced payloads, mission software, and space-based interceptors for U.S. and allied defense. Simulation is the backbone connecting design, testing, operations, and training across the organization.
As Engineering Manager, Software (Modeling and Simulation), you will build and lead a team of modeling and simulation engineers developing high-fidelity physics-based models and digital twin capabilities that support spacecraft design, testing, and operations. Your primary focus is people leadership—building, growing, and developing high-performing teams through recruiting, hiring, onboarding, and retention. You will provide direct people management including 1-on-1s, performance reviews, goal setting, and career development. You will foster a culture of technical excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement, and develop individual contributors into technical leaders through mentorship and coaching.
You will be responsible for team growth, performance, and delivery while ensuring alignment with the broader simulation roadmap. You will translate technical vision into execution, define and own the team roadmap in collaboration with the Head of Simulation, and translate organizational strategy into actionable team objectives and quarterly goals. You will prioritize work, allocate resources across competing demands, manage dependencies with other engineering managers, and track and communicate team progress, risks, and blockers to leadership and stakeholders. You will drive continuous improvement in team processes, tools, and workflows to increase velocity and quality.
Technical contributions will focus on strategic direction, architecture reviews, and maintaining credibility with your team (approximately 35% of time). You will provide technical direction on modeling architecture, validation strategies, and integration approaches; review and approve technical designs, major architectural decisions, and model validation plans; participate in all aspects of a project's development lifecycle; and define modeling standards, best practices, and documentation requirements.
You will work with technical program managers to scope projects, estimate timelines, and commit to deliverables. You will manage team dynamics, resolve conflicts, and ensure healthy team communication and collaboration. You will facilitate knowledge sharing, cross-training, and documentation practices to build team resilience and institutional knowledge.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Education: Master's degree in aerospace, mechanical, or systems engineering, physics, applied mathematics, or related technical field; Ph.D. or Bachelor's degree with equivalent professional experience also accepted
- Experience: 8+ years in modeling, simulation, or aerospace engineering with at least 4 years in people management, leading teams of 4+ engineers
- People Management: Demonstrated track record of building, growing, and developing high-performing engineering teams including hiring, performance management, and career development
- Leadership: Proven ability to lead through influence, manage stakeholder expectations, drive execution in ambiguous environments, and deliver results through others
- Technical Foundation: Strong foundation in spacecraft system modeling and simulation with depth in areas such as orbital mechanics, attitude dynamics, thermal analysis, power systems, or propulsion (sufficient to provide technical oversight and credibility)
- Domain Knowledge: Experience with physics-based modeling, simulation frameworks, and validation methodologies for complex aerospace or defense systems
- Communication: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with ability to influence senior leadership, translate between technical and non-technical audiences, and represent the team effectively
- Strategic Thinking: Ability to translate business objectives into team strategy, prioritize competing demands, and make trade-offs that balance technical excellence with delivery
- Process & Execution: Track record of defining processes, establishing team norms, and driving operational excellence in fast-paced environments
- Collaboration: Strong cross-functional collaboration skills with ability to build relationships, resolve conflicts, and drive consensus
- Clearance: U.S. Citizen and eligible for DoD Secret or TS/SCI clearance
PREFERRED:
- Experience managing geographically distributed or hybrid teams
- Experience managing teams through full product development lifecycles from concept through operations
- Track record delivering complex, multi-quarter initiatives requiring coordination across multiple teams
- Experience with agile methodologies, sprint planning, and iterative delivery in engineering environments
- Background in spacecraft flight dynamics, mission design, GNC algorithm development, or digital twin development
- Experience with modeling and simulation for space domain awareness, proximity operations, or constellation management
- Background partnering with product management to define requirements and prioritize features
- Experience with resource planning, capacity modeling, and headcount justification
