YOUR MISSIONWe're hiring a Subsystem Lead (SSL) to own the avionics subsystem on one or more of our space vehicle programs. You'll be accountable for delivering a subsystem that meets its requirements, cost, and schedule, from program start through on-orbit operations.
You own the technical solution: design, analysis, build, test, and delivery. You carry it out with engineers and technicians assigned by the Avionics functional team. You're the single point of contact for your subsystem to program leadership (Program Manager and Chief Engineer) and to the other subsystem leads on the vehicle. System-level requirements, architecture, and system engineering come from the program's Systems Engineering team. You partner with them and own everything inside your subsystem boundary.
RESPONSIBILITIES- Deliver the subsystem. Own the design, analysis, build, test, and delivery of the avionics subsystem within its allocated technical and cost targets. Run practical trades to hit those targets, and escalate to program leadership when the subsystem can't meet cost or technical requirements.
- Own subsystem requirements and verification. Turn your subsystem allocation into subsystem and component specifications, working with the program's Systems Engineer and Chief Engineer. Keep the verification matrix complete, and close out verification items through qualification and acceptance.
- Manage subsystem interfaces. Set up and maintain ICDs with adjacent subsystems (power, RF, harness, FSW, structures, thermal), and work through interface issues with their leads directly.
- Drive the schedule. Feed subsystem milestones into the program IMS, plan the detailed work behind them, and update status weekly. Flag slips early and bring recovery options with you.
- Report performance. Give timely status against the Technical Performance Measures (TPMs) for your subsystem, such as mass, power, thermal dissipation, cost, and margin.
- Own subsystem risk. Build and maintain the subsystem risk register, covering technical, supply, schedule, and cost risk, and raise risks that threaten program success.
- Lead design reviews. Present your subsystem at PDR, CDR, TRR, and tabletop reviews, with the analysis behind your design choices (worst-case, thermal, radiation, derating).
- Manage suppliers. Write the technical sections of SOWs, review proposals, help select vendors with Supply Chain, review acceptance data before shipment, and witness supplier testing.
- Run build and test. Coordinate daily with the engineers and technicians building and testing hardware, and remove blockers. Lead anomaly investigations and corrective action with Quality. Decide on retest, rework, or use-as-is together with the CE.
- Support integration and operations. Support vehicle integration, environmental test (TVAC, vibe, shock), launch-site operations, commissioning, and on-orbit anomaly response. Feed lessons learned into the next design.
- Make decisions. Make the day-to-day calls that don't affect subsystem requirements, the cost baseline, or the delivery schedule, and tell the CE, PM, and functional leaders what you decided. Escalate decisions that cross those thresholds, along with a recommendation.
- Follow process. Run your scope through company processes for change management (ECO/ERB), anomaly resolution, and configuration control.
WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE- Your subsystem meets requirements at each gate, with TPMs reported and margins visible.
- Subsystem milestones in the IMS are current, and slips are flagged with recovery options before they affect the program.
- The ICDs with adjacent subsystems are baselined before CDR.
- The verification matrix is 100% dispositioned before delivery.
- The risk register is current, and no risk reaches the program without first being raised by you.
- Decisions are made quickly and owned clearly: you own trades within your subsystem, the CE arbitrates trades that cross subsystem boundaries, and the PM owns significant cost and schedule impacts.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS- Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Computer, or Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
- 5+ years of experience designing, building, and testing avionics or electrical hardware for flight, space, or defense programs.
- Strong electrical engineering fundamentals, with enough depth to work credibly with digital, FPGA, power (EPS), RF, and harness engineers.
- Hands-on ownership of a subsystem or major assembly through at least one full lifecycle phase (design, build, test, or operations).
- Experience writing and managing subsystem specifications, ICDs, and verification matrices.
- Experience leading design reviews and test readiness reviews.
- Experience leading hardware anomaly investigations and root-cause and corrective action.
- Experience working with suppliers: SOWs, technical evaluations, acceptance data review.
- Clear written and verbal communication with engineers, program leadership, and customers.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS- Master's degree in a relevant engineering field.
- Experience as an RE, IPT lead, CAM, or subsystem lead on a spacecraft program.
- Familiarity with spacecraft avionics architectures: flight computers, data handling, power distribution, RF, and harness.
- Experience with space environmental testing (TVAC, vibration, shock, EMI/EMC) and space-grade parts selection and derating.
- Experience supporting launch, commissioning, or on-orbit operations.
- Experience working with government or defense customers and interpreting defense specifications.
- Experience in a fast-paced startup or similarly dynamic hardware environment.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS- Base Salary: $110,000-$200,000
- 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- Ability to maintain or obtain TS//SCI clearance
- Work Location-this role will be onsite full-time at our Centennial, CO or our Long Beach, CA location. Occasional remote work possible.
- 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.
- Travel: To other True Anomaly sites, suppliers, test facilities, and launch sites as needed
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.
