Principal, Integrated Test Operations Lead

True Anomaly•Long Beach, CA

2d•$200,000 - $290,000•Onsite

About The Position

A new space race has begun. True Anomaly seeks those with the talent and ambition to build innovative technology that solves the next generation of engineering, manufacturing, and operational challenges for space security and sustainability. OUR MISSION The peaceful use of space is essential for continued prosperity on Earth—from communications and finance to navigation and logistics. True Anomaly builds innovative technology at the intersection of spacecraft, software, and AI to enhance the capabilities of the U.S., its allies, and commercial partners. We safeguard global security by ensuring space access and sustainability for all. 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 The Integrated Test Operations Lead is responsible for the detailed planning, coordination, and execution of integrated vehicle testing across ground and flight environments. This role serves as the primary execution arm for all test activities, translating program objectives into actionable test plans and ensuring disciplined, safe, and efficient test conduct. Working under the direction of the Ground Test Director, this role drives day-to-day test readiness, leads cross-functional coordination, and ensures all systems, teams, and environments are prepared for successful test execution. The Integrated Test Operations Lead is responsible for translating program-level test objectives into detailed, executable plans that enable successful ground and flight test campaigns. This includes developing comprehensive test plans for ground-based flight tests and range-based operations, with clearly defined configurations, success criteria, instrumentation strategies, and data collection requirements. The role leads integrated test readiness efforts, ensuring all technical, operational, and safety elements are fully prepared and that all pre-test actions are closed prior to execution. During test operations, the Integrated Test Operations Lead serves as the primary execution lead, directing real-time test activities and maintaining disciplined adherence to procedures, safety protocols, and mission objectives. This individual is responsible for coordinating inputs from engineering, safety, and operations teams, managing the tempo of execution, and ensuring that all systems and personnel operate in a synchronized and controlled manner. They provide structured recommendations and inputs into go/no-go decisions and lead initial responses to anomalies or off-nominal conditions during test events. The role requires continuous coordination across cross-functional teams, including propulsion, avionics, guidance, navigation and control (GNC), structures, ground systems, and range operations. The Integrated Test Operations Lead integrates these inputs into cohesive, executable plans and ensures alignment between vehicle readiness, ground infrastructure, and external constraints such as range availability and regulatory requirements. Following each test event, the Integrated Test Operations Lead ensures the integrity and completeness of all collected data and leads initial post-test assessments, including anomaly identification and triage. They coordinate closely with engineering teams to support deeper data analysis and ensure that lessons learned are rapidly incorporated into subsequent test planning and execution cycles. In addition, the role maintains ownership of integrated test execution schedules, proactively identifying risks to successful execution and driving mitigation strategies across the team. The Integrated Test Operations Lead provides regular status updates to the Ground Test Director and escalates critical risks, issues, or decision points as needed, operating as the primary “boots-on-the-ground” leader responsible for delivering safe, efficient, and effective test execution.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field
8+ years of experience in aerospace, defense, or complex system testing environments
Demonstrated experience planning and executing integrated system tests (ground and/or flight)
Experience leading cross-functional teams in high-tempo, high-consequence operational environments
Strong understanding of test operations, including test planning, readiness reviews, and execution discipline
Proven ability to translate engineering requirements into executable test procedures and plans
Experience working with safety-critical systems and adherence to rigorous safety and mission assurance standards
Strong communication skills, with the ability to coordinate across engineering, operations, and external stakeholders
Ability to operate effectively under pressure and make sound decisions in dynamic test environments

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree (M.S. or higher) in a relevant engineering discipline
Experience with missile systems, launch vehicles, or high-performance flight systems
Prior experience serving as a test conductor, test director, or similar role during live test operations
Familiarity with test range operations and coordination (e.g., government or commercial ranges)
Experience with telemetry, instrumentation systems, and data acquisition for flight or ground tests
Background in guidance, navigation and control (GNC), propulsion, or integrated vehicle systems
Experience leading or supporting Test Readiness Reviews (TRRs), Flight Readiness Reviews (FRRs), or equivalent
Demonstrated ability to manage complex schedules and drive execution across multiple parallel test efforts
Exposure to configuration management and test article control in a development or production environment
High growth potential with demonstrated leadership trajectory toward senior test or program leadership roles

Responsibilities

detailed planning, coordination, and execution of integrated vehicle testing across ground and flight environments
translating program objectives into actionable test plans and ensuring disciplined, safe, and efficient test conduct
drives day-to-day test readiness
leads cross-functional coordination
ensuring all systems, teams, and environments are prepared for successful test execution
translating program-level test objectives into detailed, executable plans that enable successful ground and flight test campaigns
developing comprehensive test plans for ground-based flight tests and range-based operations, with clearly defined configurations, success criteria, instrumentation strategies, and data collection requirements
leads integrated test readiness efforts
ensuring all technical, operational, and safety elements are fully prepared and that all pre-test actions are closed prior to execution
directing real-time test activities and maintaining disciplined adherence to procedures, safety protocols, and mission objectives
coordinating inputs from engineering, safety, and operations teams, managing the tempo of execution, and ensuring that all systems and personnel operate in a synchronized and controlled manner
provide structured recommendations and inputs into go/no-go decisions
lead initial responses to anomalies or off-nominal conditions during test events
continuous coordination across cross-functional teams, including propulsion, avionics, guidance, navigation and control (GNC), structures, ground systems, and range operations
integrates these inputs into cohesive, executable plans and ensures alignment between vehicle readiness, ground infrastructure, and external constraints such as range availability and regulatory requirements
ensures the integrity and completeness of all collected data and leads initial post-test assessments, including anomaly identification and triage
coordinate closely with engineering teams to support deeper data analysis and ensure that lessons learned are rapidly incorporated into subsequent test planning and execution cycles
maintains ownership of integrated test execution schedules, proactively identifying risks to successful execution and driving mitigation strategies across the team
provides regular status updates to the Ground Test Director and escalates critical risks, issues, or decision points as needed
operating as the primary “boots-on-the-ground” leader responsible for delivering safe, efficient, and effective test execution