Mechanical Engineer, Space Based Interceptors (II - III)

True Anomaly

$80K — $165K *
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related discipline.
  • 1-4 years of experience in mechanical design, preferably in defense aerospace or hypersonic systems.
  • Familiarity with missile systems, hypersonic vehicle design, and high-performance flight structures.
  • Hands-on experience with 3D CAD modeling in NX or SolidWorks.
  • Knowledge of GD&T principles for drawings and design.
  • Familiarity with high-temperature materials and TPS concepts for hypersonic applications.
  • Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work in teams.

Responsibilities

  • Support design and optimization of mechanical structures for interceptor and hypersonic systems.
  • Assist in development of flight vehicle structural systems from concept to delivery.
  • Design airframe structures for extreme flight environments considering thermal and aerodynamic factors.
  • Contribute to integration of guidance, navigation, and control hardware in flight vehicle structures.
  • Assist in design of thermal protection system components for hypersonic and re-entry environments.
  • Support propulsion system mechanical integration efforts including packaging and structural interfaces.
  • Develop detailed 3D CAD models and drawings for flight vehicle components.

Benefits

  • Health, Dental, and Vision insurance options.
  • Health Reimbursement Accounts (HRA) or Health Savings Accounts (HSA).
  • Paid Time Off (PTO) and paid holidays.
  • 401K retirement plan with employer match.
  • Parental Leave policy for new parents.
Full Job Description
YOUR MISSION

The next generation of Space Based Interceptors demands hardware that performs flawlessly at hypersonic speeds, survives extreme thermal and aerodynamic environments, and delivers precision intercept against the most advanced threats ever fielded. True Anomaly is building that hardware - and we are looking for engineers who want to be part of it.

As a Mechanical Engineer at True Anomaly, you will play a critical role in designing and developing flight hardware for some of the most technically demanding programs in the defense aerospace industry. From interceptor systems and kill vehicles to hypersonic flight vehicles, you will engineer mechanical systems that must perform flawlessly in extreme thermal, aerodynamic, and high-g environments - building the hardware that matters most when it counts.

RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Support the design, analysis, and optimization of mechanical structures and assemblies for interceptor systems, kill vehicles, and hypersonic flight vehicles, ensuring designs meet performance, mass, survivability, and reliability requirements.
  • Assist in the development of flight vehicle structural systems from concept and trade studies through prototyping and hardware delivery, under the guidance of senior engineers.
  • Support the design of primary and secondary airframe structures for high-dynamic-pressure, high-g maneuver, and thermally coupled hypersonic flight environments, including aerodynamic loading, vibration, and shock.
  • Contribute to the packaging and integration of guidance, navigation, and control (GN&C) hardware, seeker assemblies, and sensor systems within flight vehicle structures, with consideration for optical alignment, vibration isolation, EMI shielding, and thermal management.
  • Assist in the design and application of thermal protection system (TPS) components and high-temperature structural assemblies for hypersonic and re-entry environments, including exposure to ablative, ceramic, and composite TPS materials.
  • Support propulsion system mechanical integration efforts, including solid rocket motor structural interfaces, divert and attitude control system (DACS) packaging, and nozzle and thrust vector control (TVC) structural interfaces.
  • Develop and maintain detailed 3D CAD models and drawings for flight vehicle components, subsystems, and assemblies using NX (Siemens) and/or SolidWorks.
  • Create accurate piece part and assembly drawings with proper application of GD&T standards.
  • Support design reviews (PDR, CDR, TRR) by preparing technical documentation, design rationales, and interface control documents.
  • Assist in the development and execution of structural and environmental test plans to support hardware qualification and acceptance activities.
  • Work within configuration management systems and PLM/MES tools to maintain design integrity and documentation traceability.

QUALIFICATIONS
  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
  • 1-4 years of professional experience in mechanical design, preferably within Space Based Interceptors, hypersonic systems, defense aerospace, or a related industry.
  • Exposure to or coursework in missile systems, hypersonic vehicle design, or high-performance flight vehicle structures, including aerodynamic loading, thermal-structural coupling, or re-entry environments.
  • Hands-on experience with 3D CAD modeling and drawing creation in NX (Siemens) and/or SolidWorks.
  • Working knowledge of GD&T principles and their application to piece part and assembly drawings.
  • Familiarity with structural and mechanical design principles, including load paths, joints, and materials selection relevant to high-dynamic-pressure and thermally demanding flight environments.
  • Exposure to guidance or seeker packaging concepts, including sensor integration constraints, vibration isolation, optical alignment, and EMI management.
  • Familiarity with high-temperature materials or TPS concepts used in hypersonic or re-entry applications.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
  • Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, cross-functional team environment.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
  • Experience designing hardware for high-performance flight environments, including considerations for aerodynamic heating, high-g loading, shock, and vibration.
  • Familiarity with interceptor, kill vehicle, or re-entry system hardware, including mass-constrained structures and precision seeker or sensor integration.
  • Exposure to TPS design or high-temperature materials, including ablative, ceramic, or composite systems used in hypersonic or re-entry applications.
  • Familiarity with hypersonic flight vehicle aeroshell design concepts, including structural joints under aeroheating and TPS panel integration.
  • Exposure to propulsion system mechanical integration, including solid rocket motor, DACS, or TVC interface design.
  • Familiarity with structural analysis methods or FEA tools (e.g., NASTRAN, Ansys) and ability to interpret results in support of design decisions.
  • Background in or exposure to spacecraft or satellite mechanical design, with ability to apply crossover principles from space environment hardware to Space Based Interceptors applications.
  • Familiarity with relevant defense and aerospace standards (e.g., MIL-STD-810, MIL-STD-1540, MIL-SPEC, AIAA S-110).
  • Exposure to full hardware lifecycle, from concept and design through fabrication, assembly, and test.
  • Familiarity with configuration management and PLM tools (e.g., TeamCenter, Windchill) and engineering change processes.
  • Experience working in a startup or fast-paced defense environment with compressed development timelines.
  • Active U.S. security clearance or ability and willingness to obtain one.

COMPENSATION
  • Base Salary: $80,000- $165,000
  • 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-This is a fully onsite role. Candidates must be based in or able to commute to our Denver or Long Beach office daily.
  • 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.

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