Engineering Manager, Mechanisms

About the role

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.

YOUR MISSION

True Anomaly is seeking an innovative Mechanisms Engineering Manager to lead a small, agile team responsible for the design, development, integration, and testing of precision, affordable, motor-driven actuation systems for orbital platforms. Reporting to the VP of New Product Engineering , this role encompasses hands-on technical leadership alongside people management, program planning, and product delivery. The team's portfolio spans precision pointing and tracking systems, solar array drive assemblies, reaction wheels, solar array release mechanisms, optical focusing systems, CubeSat dispensers, and 1G test stands. The successful candidate will have deep expertise in spacecraft mechanisms and motor-driven systems, and the drive to vertically integrate in-house solutions that deliver real mission advantage.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Own the technical direction for spacecraft mechanism systems, including precision gimbals, motor-driven actuators, and associated control electronics

Lead, mentor, and grow a team of mechanisms engineers, including a dedicated motor control engineer, to develop fully vertically integrated actuation solutions

Oversee end-to-end mechanisms development lifecycle: requirements definition, mechanical and motor control design, analysis, procurement, integration, and test

Lead the design and development of precision pointing, tracking, and articulation systems for on-orbit payload and antenna applications

Partner closely with the GNC team to develop and validate bearing determination, stabilization, and closed-loop pointing control

Develop and maintain mechanism performance budgets, including pointing accuracy, torque margin, lifetime, and disturbance analyses

Ensure mechanism designs meet mission requirements for reliability, thermal performance, radiation tolerance, and SWaP constraints

Manage schedules, budgets, staffing, and technical risk across multiple mechanism development programs

Collaborate with avionics, systems engineering, software, and test teams to ensure seamless spacecraft integration

Drive compliance with applicable aerospace standards and lead design reviews with internal stakeholders and customers

Communicate product development status and issues with leadership and stakeholders

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field (Master's preferred)

10+ years of professional experience in spacecraft mechanisms design, development, and test

Demonstrated experience with motor-driven actuation systems, including brushless DC motors, stepper motors, and associated drive electronics

Experience with precision pointing or tracking mechanisms such as gimbals, beam steering systems, or antenna pointing systems

Strong understanding of mechanism performance analysis including kinematics, structural dynamics, bearing life, and disturbance modeling

Familiarity with GNC interface requirements for stabilized pointing and tracking applications

Demonstrated ability to lead engineering teams and deliver complex hardware on schedule

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Experience with space-qualified mechanisms, including lubrication, materials selection, and life testing for vacuum and thermal environments

Familiarity with solar array drive assemblies, reaction wheels, or other spacecraft momentum and articulation systems

Experience with motor control firmware development and closed-loop servo system design

Knowledge of spacecraft structural analysis tools (NASTRAN, ANSYS, or similar) and mechanism simulation environments

Experience with 1G test stand design or other gravity off-load test approaches for validating on-orbit mechanism behavior

Familiarity with MIL-SPEC and NASA standards applicable to spacecraft mechanisms (e.g., GSFC-STD-7000, MIL-STD-810)

Experience working in a fast-paced, startup environment or a similarly dynamic setting

COMPENSATION

Base Salary: $155,000-$230,000

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 at either our Centennial, CO or Long Beach, CA locations, with travel to other sites as needed.

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.