Mission Architect, Missile Defense

True Anomaly

$160,000 - $245,000 / year

Denver, CO; Long Beach, CAContractOn-siteIntermediate

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Description

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

We are looking for a Mission Architect to join our team in developing the next generation of missile defense systems. The Mission Architect will play a critical role in defining, analyzing, and ensuring the successful execution of missions across a system of systems. In this role, you will own the mission definition, mission-level trades, mission technical direction, and customer alignment throughout the full program execution lifecycle, from contract award through mission completion.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Mission Design & Requirements Analysis:

Collaborate with customers, stakeholders, and internal teams to define and document mission objectives, system requirements, and operational concepts.
Translate customer and mission needs into actionable engineering solutions while ensuring alignment with technical and programmatic constraints.
Define key mission technical performance measures to establish a mission-driven decision-making framework.
Apply analysis and modeling techniques, including parametric analysis, to support engineering decisions in the absence of specific requirements.
Lead system trade studies, performance evaluations, and feasibility assessments to ensure an optimal system architecture.
Design, lead and execute engagement sequence and intercept analysis.
Perform sensor, command-and-control, and interceptor integration.
Design kill-chain and fire-control architecture.
Perform system-of-systems performance modeling.
Prepare detailed technical reports, presentations, and documentation for internal and external stakeholders, including government agencies and customers.

System Integration & Verification:

Oversee the integration of mission systems, ensuring seamless interaction among hardware, software, and operational components.
Develop system-level integration and verification plans and conduct end-to-end testing to validate mission requirements.
Coordinate with subsystem teams to troubleshoot and resolve integration challenges, ensuring mission readiness.
Support mission operations teams during testing and real-time mission execution.

Modeling, Simulation & Analysis:

Apply the fundamentals of astrodynamics using software and analysis tools, including orbit propagation, orbit determination, geometric orbit analysis, and mission engineering concepts.
Design parametric analyses and Monte Carlo studies to support engineering decision-making.
Conduct system performance analyses, including assessments of reliability, safety, and mission effectiveness under various environmental conditions.
Assess mission success criteria and operational risks and propose mitigation strategies.
Conduct pre-flight and post-flight mission analyses, including trajectory reconstruction and anomaly investigations.

QUALIFICATIONS

12+ years of experience in mission analysis, space operations, or orbital mechanics.
Strong technical leadership and systems architecture experience.
Strong understanding of orbital mechanics, spacecraft dynamics, and autonomous space operations.
Hands-on experience with mission analysis tools such as STK, FreeFlyer, GMAT, or similar software.
Proficiency in simulation tools and programming languages such as MATLAB, Python, or C++.
Experience with mission planning and real-time mission support.
Must have or be able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI or TS/SAP U.S. government security clearance

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Advanced degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Systems Engineering.
Active TS/SCI clearance.
Experience supporting defense or classified space missions.

COMPENSATION

Base Salary:
Staff: $160,000 - $245,000
Principal: $195,000 - $300,000
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—Successful candidates will be located near Denver or Long Beach.
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.

To protect candidates and our company from application fraud and impersonation, we use third-party tools to verify applicant identity and detect fraudulent applications. Learn more in our Privacy Notice.

Benefits

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.
Collaborate with customers, stakeholders, and internal teams to define and document mission objectives, system requirements, and operational concepts.
Translate customer and mission needs into actionable engineering solutions while ensuring alignment with technical and programmatic constraints.
Define key mission technical performance measures to establish a mission-driven decision-making framework.
Apply analysis and modeling techniques, including parametric analysis, to support engineering decisions in the absence of specific requirements.
Lead system trade studies, performance evaluations, and feasibility assessments to ensure an optimal system architecture.
Design, lead and execute engagement sequence and intercept analysis.
Perform sensor, command-and-control, and interceptor integration.
Design kill-chain and fire-control architecture.
Perform system-of-systems performance modeling.
Prepare detailed technical reports, presentations, and documentation for internal and external stakeholders, including government agencies and customers.
Oversee the integration of mission systems, ensuring seamless interaction among hardware, software, and operational components.
Develop system-level integration and verification plans and conduct end-to-end testing to validate mission requirements.
Coordinate with subsystem teams to troubleshoot and resolve integration challenges, ensuring mission readiness.
Support mission operations teams during testing and real-time mission execution.
Apply the fundamentals of astrodynamics using software and analysis tools, including orbit propagation, orbit determination, geometric orbit analysis, and mission engineering concepts.
Design parametric analyses and Monte Carlo studies to support engineering decision-making.
Conduct system performance analyses, including assessments of reliability, safety, and mission effectiveness under various environmental conditions.
Assess mission success criteria and operational risks and propose mitigation strategies.
Conduct pre-flight and post-flight mission analyses, including trajectory reconstruction and anomaly investigations.
12+ years of experience in mission analysis, space operations, or orbital mechanics.
Strong technical leadership and systems architecture experience.
Strong understanding of orbital mechanics, spacecraft dynamics, and autonomous space operations.
Hands-on experience with mission analysis tools such as STK, FreeFlyer, GMAT, or similar software.
Proficiency in simulation tools and programming languages such as MATLAB, Python, or C++.
Experience with mission planning and real-time mission support.
Must have or be able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI or TS/SAP U.S. government security clearance
Advanced degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Systems Engineering.
Active TS/SCI clearance.
Experience supporting defense or classified space missions.
Base Salary:
Staff: $160,000 - $245,000
Principal: $195,000 - $300,000
Equity + Benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, HRA/HSA options, PTO and paid holidays, 401K, Parental Leave
Work Location —Successful candidates will be located near Denver or Long Beach.
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.

See all jobs in Denver

About this role

True Anomaly is building autonomous spacecraft and space-based interceptors for missile defense, and this role sits at the center of that mission. As Mission Architect, you would own the full lifecycle of mission definition and execution—from translating customer requirements into system architecture through real-time mission support. This means designing engagement sequences, performing intercept analysis, integrating sensors and command-and-control systems, and conducting the modeling and trade studies that drive engineering decisions across a complex system of systems.

The position demands deep expertise in orbital mechanics, astrodynamics, and mission analysis tools like STK or FreeFlyer, paired with strong programming skills in MATLAB, Python, or C++. You'll need 12+ years in mission analysis, space operations, or orbital mechanics, plus hands-on experience with mission planning and real-time operations. A TS/SCI or TS/SAP security clearance is required, and an active clearance is preferred. An advanced degree in aerospace, mechanical, or systems engineering strengthens your candidacy, as does prior work on defense or classified space missions.

This is a contract role based in Denver, Colorado, paying $160,000–$245,000 depending on level, with equity participation and comprehensive benefits including fully company-paid healthcare, flexible time off, and catered lunches for in-office staff. It's suited for someone with substantial experience in space systems who wants to apply technical leadership to a mission-critical defense program.

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Pay for this role

$160,000 to $245,000 per year

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