Engineering Manager, Electro-Optical Systems
About The Position
True Anomaly is seeking an innovative Electro-Optical Systems Engineering Manager to lead a small, agile team responsible for the design, development, integration, and testing of high-performance, affordable optical systems for our seeker and autonomous orbital vehicles. This includes Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO) suites, LiDAR, hyperspectral imaging, and other advanced EO/IR payloads. Reporting to the VP of New Product Engineering, this role encompasses deep technical contribution alongside people management and strategic product planning. The successful candidate will be a recognized expert in electro-optical systems development, with a command of the state-of-the-art in the field and the judgment to evaluate vertically integrated versus COTS solutions with speed and confidence. You will work closely with Business Development and the Program Office to define and execute the company's EO systems roadmap, translating mission needs into fielded hardware that delivers real on-orbit capability.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or related field (Master's preferred)
- 10+ years of professional experience in electro-optical systems design and development for aerospace, defense, or high-reliability applications
- Demonstrated experience with EO/IR imaging systems, including detector selection, optical design, and system-level performance modeling
- Experience with proximity operations or seeker sensor architectures, LiDAR systems, or hyperspectral imaging payloads
- Strong understanding of radiometric analysis, optical performance budgeting, and image quality assessment
- Familiarity with SWaP-constrained design trade-offs for spacecraft payloads
- Demonstrated ability to lead engineering teams and deliver complex hardware on schedule
- Ability to maintain or obtain TS//SCI clearance
- 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.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with space-qualified or radiation-tolerant EO/IR detector and focal plane array technologies
- Familiarity with optical design tools such as Zemax/OpticStudio, CODE V, or similar
- Experience with LiDAR system design, waveform processing, and point cloud generation
- Knowledge of hyperspectral sensor design, calibration, and on-orbit data processing
- Experience with thermal and structural analysis of optomechanical systems
- Familiarity with CCSDS or other space telemetry standards for payload data downlink
- Experience working in a fast-paced, startup environment or a similarly dynamic setting
Responsibilities
- Own the technical direction for EO/IR payload systems, including seekers, RPO sensor suites, LiDAR, and hyperspectral imaging systems
- Lead, mentor, and grow a team of electro-optical engineers across the full payload development lifecycle
- Oversee end-to-end EO systems development: requirements definition, optical and systems design, component selection, analysis, procurement, integration, and test
- Evaluate and down-select between vertically integrated and COTS solutions based on performance, cost, schedule, and mission risk
- Partner with the VP of New Product Engineering, Business Development, and Program Office to define and maintain the company's EO systems development roadmap
- Develop and maintain optical performance budgets, including radiometric, signal-to-noise, and resolution analyses
- Ensure payload designs meet mission requirements for reliability, thermal performance, radiation tolerance, and size, weight, and power (SWaP) constraints
- Manage schedules, budgets, staffing, and technical risk across multiple EO payload programs
- Collaborate with avionics, systems engineering, GNC, and software 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
Benefits
- Equity + Benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, HRA/HSA options, PTO and paid holidays, 401K, Parental Leave
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Number of Employees
11-50 employees
