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Engineering Manager, Propulsion Development and Test Verified today

True Anomaly · Denver, CO · Propulsion · first seen 2026-09-03
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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 development requirements, completing design trades, maturing propulsion capabilities, and executing propulsion development test campaigns across True Anomaly's propulsion portfolio. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone equally comfortable jumping in to analyze and drive technical decisions and developing and managing the people doing that work.

Team Leadership and People Management

  • Directly supervise, hire, and develop a team of propulsion development engineers capable of writing requirements, designing, analyzing, testing, and delivering prototype hardware on aggressive schedules.
  • Align propulsion development demand with your team's capabilities, resources, and schedules. 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 and Testing

  • Build and execute a roadmap to evaluate 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 for more representative flight hardware, increasing fidelity over time.
  • Integrate propulsion test planning with facility and GSE capability plans. Identify test capabilities needed, understand practical limitations of test capability, and align testing roadmaps accordingly.
  • 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&Ls, 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. 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 participation and benefits including medical, dental, vision, HRA/HSA options, PTO, paid holidays, 401(k), and parental leave.

Work Location and Requirements

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

Export Control and Citizenship

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.