True Anomaly · 12 hours ago
Chief Engineer, Seeker
Long Beach, CA
Full-time
Onsite
Director/Executive
$250K/yr - $325K/yr
15+ years expTrue Anomaly is a company focused on building innovative technology for space security and sustainability. The Seeker Subsystem Chief Engineer will lead the technical authority for the interceptor seeker, overseeing requirements definition, design, integration, testing, and ensuring compliance with mission objectives.
National DefenseArtificial Intelligence (AI)AerospaceManufacturingMilitaryNational Security
No H1B
Security Clearance RequiredU.S. Citizen Only
Responsibilities
Serve as the accountable technical authority for the interceptor seeker, with end-to-end responsibility spanning requirements definition, architecture, detailed design, integration, test, and verification and validation
Ensure full traceability from Missile Defense mission-level objectives through seeker subsystem requirements, design implementation, and verified performance
Act as the final arbiter for seeker technical decisions, risk acceptance, and compliance evidence
Lead the development and maturation of seeker architectures across three distinct topologies, ensuring consistent performance, interface compatibility, and design coherence across variants
Provide technical leadership across all infrared sensor bands, including optics, detectors, focal plane electronics, cryogenic systems, and associated signal processing
Drive informed trade studies to balance mission performance, robustness to countermeasures and operational environments, SWaP-C constraints, producibility, and cost
Define and control seeker interfaces with guidance, navigation, and control (GNC), avionics, structures, thermal, propulsion, and algorithm teams, ensuring effective sensor–algorithm co-design and seamless integration into the broader interceptor system
Support end-to-end kill chain performance assessments by providing seeker-specific performance characterizations, sensitivities, and risk drivers, and ensure alignment between seeker behavior and overall engagement objectives
Own the seeker verification and validation strategy, encompassing component-level testing, subsystem and environmental qualification, hardware- and software-in-the-loop testing, captive carry, and flight test
Define verification methods, success criteria, and data products required to close seeker requirements, lead anomaly resolution and root cause analysis, and certify the technical sufficiency of seeker test evidence
Establish and maintain technical baselines, manage margins and performance reserves, and lead technical reviews, readiness assessments, and design certifications
Represent the seeker technical position in program-level, customer, and partner forums, and ensure consistent, disciplined execution across internal teams and external suppliers
Lead and mentor multidisciplinary seeker engineering teams, setting standards for technical rigor, design discipline, and review quality
Qualification
Required
Advanced degree in Physics, EE, Optical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field (PhD strongly preferred)
15+ years in seeker, EO/IR sensor, or missile guidance system development
Demonstrated ownership of seeker or sensor systems through design, test, and V&V
Deep understanding of IR phenomenology, detector physics, optics, and signal processing
Experience with multi-architecture or multi-variant seeker development
Proven ability to lead high-consequence technical decisions under schedule and performance pressure
Ability to maintain or obtain TS//SCI clearance
Work Location: this role will be fully onsite at our GravityWorks factory in Centennial, CO
Work environment is in a standard office, working at a desk or in a production factory
Physical demands may include frequent standing, sitting, walking, bending, and lifting or carrying items up to 20lbs
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
Preferred
Missile or interceptor seeker development
Space or exo-atmospheric sensor systems
Countermeasure-rich operational environments
Flight test support and post-flight analysis
DoD acquisition programs with formal verification and compliance regimes
Benefits
Equity
Benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, HRA/HSA options, PTO and paid holidays, 401K, Parental Leave
Company
True Anomaly
True Anomaly is builds space security and resilience at the intersection of spacecraft, software, and autonomy.
201-500 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageTotal Funding
$418.02MKey Investors
AccelStifel BankRiot Ventures
2025-04-30Series C· $260M
2025-04-30Debt Financing
2023-12-12Series B· $100M
Leadership Team
Mark Seidel
Chief Financial Officer
Frank Di Pentino
Chief Strategy Officer
Recent News
Los Angeles Business Journal
2026-01-06
MenloVentures
2026-01-05
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