Aerospace, Defense, Space Technology, SaaS

Engineering Manager, Propulsion Development and Test

Denver, COOnsiteFull TimeManager / Head$140,000–$250,000 /yrPosted 2 months ago

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Required skills

Propulsion Development
Test Manager
Engineering Manager
Propulsion
Test Campaigns
Hypergolic Systems
Safety
Requirements Definition
Prototype Hardware
Schedule Management

Nice to have

Propulsion Test Facility
Infrastructure Planning
Safety Program Development
NTO
MMH
UDMH

Role summary

True Anomaly is seeking a Propulsion Development and Test Manager to lead their propulsion development program. This hands-on leadership role involves building the program from scratch, directly managing a team of propulsion engineers, and overseeing the strategy, execution, and people management aspects. Responsibilities include defining requirements, analyzing design options, maturing capabilities, executing test campaigns, and fostering a culture of technical rigor and safety. The role requires a Bachelor's degree in a relevant engineering field, 10+ years of experience in propulsion systems, including at least 3 years in people management, and demonstrated experience with propulsion testing and hypergolic systems. The position is primarily onsite in Centennial, CO, with travel required.

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 Propulsion Development and Test Manager at True Anomaly, you will own the strategy, execution, and lead the people behind our propulsion development program. You will have the opportunity to build from the ground up. You will directly lead a team of propulsion development engineers responsible for defining our development requirements and completing trades on design options, maturing our propulsion capabilities and executing propulsion development test campaigns across our True Anomaly’s propulsion portfolio. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who is equally comfortable jumping in and analyzing and driving technical decisions as they are developing and managing the people doing that work.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Team Leadership & People Management

Directly supervise, including hiring and developing a team of propulsion development engineers, capable of writing requirements, designing, analyzing, testing and delivering prototype hardware on aggressive schedules.

Align an influx of propulsion development demand with the capabilities, resources and schedules of your team. Collaborate on strategy, schedule commitments and roadmaps to develop propulsion capabilities and deliver product.

Set clear expectations, provide regular feedback, conduct performance reviews, and create development plans that grow each team member's technical skills and career.

Foster a team culture grounded in technical rigor, safety, accountability, and ownership.

Address and resolve technical blockers, resource conflicts, and cross-functional issues affecting your team.

Propulsion development products

Build and execute a roadmap to evaluate our propulsion systems at component and system level. Spearhead plans to test early and often, buy down risk with smaller tests. Establish system level tests starting with commercial off the shelf GSE hardware, then swap parts out for more representative flight hardware, increasing fidelity over time.

Integrate that propulsion test planning with a facility and GSE capability plan. What test capabilities are needed when? What practical limitations of test capability constrain the testing roadmaps.

Provide technical oversight and approval authority for infrastructure trade studies; ensure trade study conclusions are well-supported and aligned with program needs and budget.

Review and approve P&IDs, fabrication drawings, material selections, and vendor proposals for test stand hardware.

Champion safety. Ensure hazard analyses, propellant handling procedures, and regulatory coordination activities are properly resourced and executed.

Drive resolution of facility design and construction issues, interfacing with civil, mechanical, electrical, and safety teams as needed.

Serve as a management-level champion for safety in all aspects of design and operations. Ensure compliance with environmental regulations and permitting. Ensure hypergolic system designs comply with applicable OSHA, EPA, NFPA, and DoD standards.

Oversee hardware procurement, fabrication oversight, installation, and commissioning activities; resolve nonconformances and design anomalies that require management or cross-functional engagement.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering.

10+ years of professional experience in propulsion and fluid systems engineering for aerospace, launch vehicle, or defense applications, with at least 3 years in a direct people management or influential leadership role.

Demonstrated experience leading a team through the development and execution of propulsion test campaigns, including hot-fire, cold-flow, and pressure testing.

Hands-on background in propulsion or fluid system design, analysis, or test.

Experience with hypergolic propellant systems, hazardous fluid operations, or high-pressure propulsion ground systems, including familiarity with applicable safety standards and regulatory requirements.

Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent workstreams, track schedule and budget performance, and surface risks proactively.

Proven track record of building cohesive technical teams and developing individual contributors.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present technical status and recommendations clearly to senior leadership and external stakeholders.

U.S. Citizenship required due to government contracts.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Direct experience standing up or significantly expanding a propulsion test facility, including infrastructure planning, safety program development, and regulatory coordination.

Familiarity with hypergolic propellant handling requirements for NTO, MMH, UDMH, or similar propellants, including material compatibility, PPE, and secondary containment.

Familiarity with relevant standards: MIL-STD, AIAA propulsion test standards, NASA-STD-5012, ASME B31.3, NFPA 55, or equivalent.

Experience scaling a propulsion team during a high-growth or startup phase.

Master's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering.

Active DoD security clearance (Secret or above), or ability to obtain one.

COMPENSATION

Base Salary: $140,000 to $250,000

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—Primarily onsite at our GravityWorks factory in Centennial, CO, with regular travel (up to 20%) to our Long Beach, CA factory and vendor/test sites.

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.

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Engineering Manager, Propulsion Development and Test

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