Principal Software Engineer, Spacecraft Simulation

True Anomaly • Denver, CO

4d • Onsite

About The Position

True Anomaly is seeking a Principal Software Engineer to define the technical vision and architecture for a spacecraft simulation platform. The platform will support high-fidelity multi-physics modeling of spacecraft and constellations, simulation of complex dynamic environments, mission planning, autonomy development, GNC validation, and operational decision-making. The role sets technical direction across the simulation organization and serves as an authority on simulation methodology and engineering best practices.

The position leads the strategy and development of simulation infrastructure spanning multi-physics modeling, real-time and faster-than-real-time execution, and hardware/software-in-the-loop environments. It involves making architectural decisions, anticipating technical risks and capability gaps, defining engineering standards and V&V frameworks, and developing production-quality C++ simulation software. The engineer will also shape the platform's C++ and Python APIs, documentation, and integrations with mission planning, GNC, systems engineering, and autonomy teams.

As a technical leader, this person will guide the simulation team, mentor engineers, contribute to career development, and work with engineering leadership on capability roadmaps, proposals, and technical white papers. The role represents simulation engineering in cross-functional forums, program reviews, and customer discussions.

This is a fully onsite position based in or commutable daily to True Anomaly's Denver or Long Beach office. The role is open until filled. Applicants must meet applicable U.S. Government space technology export authorization requirements.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science, physics, applied mathematics, or equivalent experience.
• 10 or more years of professional software development experience, focused on simulation, scientific computing, or aerospace applications, with demonstrated progression into technical leadership.
• Expert proficiency in modern C++ (C++17 or newer), including the STL, templates, performance optimization, and large-scale system design.
• Proficiency in Python for API design, scripting, automation, and data analysis.
• Proven ability to set technical direction for large, complex software systems and drive multi-team efforts to delivered capability.
• Deep expertise in at least two of the following: ADCS, GNC, thermal control, electric power systems, chemical or electric propulsion, orbital mechanics, or HIL/SIL systems.
• Demonstrated experience defining and executing V&V frameworks for physics-based models at scale, including uncertainty quantification and validation against test or flight data.
• Ability to make sound architectural decisions within complex, distributed systems.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex technical concepts to engineers and non-technical leadership.
• Must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain required U.S. Department of State authorizations under applicable export regulations.
• Must be based in or able to commute daily to the Denver or Long Beach office.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree.
• Experience developing high-fidelity aerothermal, aerodynamic, and flight dynamics models for hypersonic vehicles, including coupled aero-thermal-structural effects, shock layer physics, and boundary layer modeling.
• Extensive experience delivering validated, production-grade physics-based simulation capabilities for aerospace or defense programs at scale.
• Expert knowledge of ODE/DAE solvers, numerical linear algebra, sparse matrix techniques, and automatic differentiation; experience tuning solvers for stiff, multi-rate, or real-time-constrained problems.
• Deep familiarity with astrodynamics and kinematics concepts relevant to space-domain dynamics modeling.
• Expert proficiency with Git, CI/CD, CMake or Bazel, and testing frameworks; experience establishing engineering standards at team or organizational level.
• Experience with parallel or distributed computing, Docker, and cloud platforms for large-scale simulation execution.
• Extensive experience designing and operating HIL/SIL environments, including real-time simulation interfaces to flight software or embedded hardware.
• Published work, conference presentations, or patents in simulation, astrodynamics, GNC, or related domains.

Responsibilities

• Own the long-term technical strategy and architectural roadmap for simulation infrastructure, including multi-physics modeling, real-time and faster-than-real-time execution, and hardware/software-in-the-loop environments.
• Make architectural decisions involving technology selection, interfaces, performance targets, and maintainability, while considering downstream impacts.
• Identify and resolve technical risks, anticipate capability gaps 12–24 months ahead, and drive proactive investment.
• Establish and steward engineering standards, simulation best practices, and verification and validation frameworks.
• Lead the design and implementation of production-quality multi-physics simulation software for spacecraft subsystems, including dynamics, thermal, attitude, propulsion, power, sensors, and actuators.
• Architect and implement coupled physics algorithms, with attention to numerical stability, accuracy, and performance.
• Design time-stepping algorithms, solver architectures, and integration schemes for scalable real-time and batch simulation.
• Write production-quality C++ and establish expectations for quality, correctness, maintainability, and testability.
• Define the simulation platform's C++ and Python API strategy, including intuitive, performant, versioned, and backward-compatible interfaces.
• Partner with mission planning, GNC, systems engineering, and autonomy teams to translate their needs into durable, documented platform capabilities.
• Drive comprehensive documentation, developer guides, and reference examples.
• Provide architectural guidance, unblock decisions, and support coherent execution across the simulation team.
• Promote engineering excellence through code reviews, mentorship, pair programming, and knowledge transfer.
• Mentor engineers at all levels and contribute to career development and growth planning.
• Partner with engineering leadership on simulation roadmaps, tradeoffs, proposals, and technical white papers.
• Represent simulation engineering in cross-functional forums, program reviews, and customer-facing discussions.

Benefits

• Company-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents, with HSA/HRA options.
• Flexible Time Off for exempt employees, or accrued PTO of up to 25 days for non-exempt employees.
• 12 paid holidays.
• Parental leave and sick leave.
• Daily catered lunch and unlimited snacks for in-office employees.
• 401(k) retirement plan.
• Fitness reimbursement.
• Dog Fridays.
• Equity participation as part of total compensation.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal