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Engineering Manager, Propulsion Vehicle Subsystem Verified today

True Anomaly · Denver, CO · Long Beach, CA · Propulsion · first seen 2026-10-01
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Your Mission

As Propulsion Vehicle Subsystem Manager at True Anomaly, you will own the strategy and execution of propulsion systems across our vehicles and lead the people behind them. You will build a team that delivers next-generation propulsion subsystems to Jackal, Space Based Interceptors, and other future vehicles. You will directly lead propulsion system and component engineers and analysts responsible for selecting components, designing the propulsion subsystem, managing interfaces, managing external and internal suppliers, and delivering the propulsion subsystem. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone equally comfortable driving technical decisions and developing the people doing that work.

Team Leadership and People Management

  • Directly supervise, hire, and develop a team of propulsion engineers capable of writing requirements, designing, analyzing, testing, and delivering propulsion systems on aggressive schedules.
  • Work with your Propulsion Leads to ensure their success in managing technical, cost, and schedule performance of each vehicle's propulsion system.
  • 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.
  • Define processes and build tools that enable the team to deliver high-quality products faster.
  • Address and resolve technical blockers, resource conflicts, and cross-functional issues affecting your team.

Propulsion Deliverable Products

  • Mentor and manage propulsion technical leads balancing technical, cost, and schedule demands of vehicle propulsion systems.
  • Manage resources across multiple dynamic programs to meet milestones efficiently.
  • Provide technical oversight and approval authority for major decisions; ensure trade study conclusions are well-supported and aligned with program needs and budget.
  • Review and approve designs, analyses, and work plans for flight hardware.
  • Champion safety by ensuring requirements, designs, and plans are safe.
  • Drive resolution of complex, multi-faceted decisions elevated to the manager level.
  • Work with Supply Chain to ensure vendors perform to plan and deliver high-performing product on time.

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 an engineering team through the development cycle.
  • Background in space propulsion or fluid system design, analysis, or test.
  • 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 managing a development program for a space vehicle.
  • Familiarity with hypergolic propellant handling requirements for NTO, MMH, UDMH, or similar propellants, including material compatibility, PPE, and secondary containment.
  • Experience scaling a 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: $165,000 to $290,000
  • Equity plus benefits including medical, dental, vision, HRA/HSA options, PTO and paid holidays, 401(k), and Parental Leave.

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, location, and experience.

Work Location

Successful candidates will be located near Centennial, CO or Long Beach, CA.