Senior Propulsion Development Engineer

Location: Denver, CO

Department: Propulsion Engineering

YOUR MISSION

As a Senior Propulsion Development Engineer at True Anomaly, you will play a foundational role in setting the path for propulsion testing and rapid design maturation. You will define what the facility needs to do, evaluate how to build it, and make the technical case for infrastructure decisions that will shape True Anomaly's test operations for years to come. This means developing detailed test stand requirements, leading trade studies across facility architecture and infrastructure options, and working alongside the Propulsion and Test teams to define test plans and define a facility that is safe, capable, and built to scale. This is a rare opportunity to stand up a new propulsion test capability from a blank sheet and then transition into a recurring role managing propulsion development test programs that come through the facility.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Test Stand Requirements & Capability Definition 

• Develop and own the test stand requirements for True Anomaly's new propulsion test facility, derived from current and anticipated propulsion hardware test needs across the spacecraft and missile defense portfolio. 
• Define test stand performance envelopes: thrust levels, propellant flow rates, operating pressures, temperature ranges, test duration, and data acquisition requirements. 
• Establish requirements for propellant storage and delivery systems, pressurant supply, purge and vent systems, fire suppression, and facility utilities. 
• Work with propulsion engineering team to understand hardware under test interfaces and ensure test stand designs fully accommodate the hardware needs 
• Establish and maintain documentation of the facility design and capability as it evolves. 

Trade Studies & Infrastructure Analysis 

• Lead structured trade studies evaluating facility infrastructure options including test stand configurations, propellant feed system architecture, GSE procurement vs. fabrication, data acquisition system platforms, and facility control room layouts. 
• Define figures of merit, evaluate alternatives against cost, schedule, safety, scalability, and operational flexibility, and produce clear recommendations with supporting analysis. 
• Research and assess commercially available test stand components, instrumentation systems, and GSE equipment; engage vendors and evaluate technical proposals. 
• Evaluate site infrastructure options including water supply, electrical power, gas supply, and effluent management to identify constraints and preferred solutions. 
• Document trade study results in formal reports suitable for review by program leadership and external stakeholders. 

Facility Design Support 

• Translate requirements and trade study outcomes into facility design inputs; collaborate with civil, mechanical, and electrical engineers to ensure test stand and infrastructure designs are correctly specified. 
• Review design drawings, P&IDs, and equipment specifications submitted documents for technical accuracy and compliance with requirements. 
• Support development of the facility hazard analysis, safety basis documentation, and operating procedures as the technical subject matter expert on test stand capabilities and limitations. 
• Identify and track open technical risks associated with facility design and infrastructure procurement; develop mitigation plans. 

Test Operations Development 

• Contribute to the development of test procedures, data acquisition plans, and instrumentation layouts for initial test campaigns as the facility transitions from construction to operations. 
• Support facility acceptance testing and commissioning, including verification that installed systems meet defined requirements. 
• Assist with anomaly investigations during facility buildup and early operations.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering. 
• 8+ years of professional experience in propulsion or fluid systems test engineering for aerospace, defense, or high-reliability applications. 
• Demonstrated experience developing test stand or test facility requirements for propulsion or fluid system hardware. 
• Experience conducting and documenting formal engineering trade studies, with the ability to define evaluation criteria, analyze alternatives, and independently defend recommendations to senior leadership. 
• Strong working knowledge of propulsion and fluid system components: engines, valves, regulators, tanks, pressurization systems, and feed system architectures. 
• Familiarity with facility infrastructure systems supporting propulsion test: propellant storage and delivery, pressurant supply, purge and vent, fire suppression, and data acquisition. 
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and drive technical tasks to closure with minimal oversight. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce clear, well-structured technical reports and present findings to leadership. 

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Master's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering. 
• Direct experience supporting the design, buildout, or commissioning of a new propulsion test stand or test facility. 
• Hands-on experience with propellant handling and hazardous fluid operations, including familiarity with applicable safety standards and regulatory requirements. 
• Experience with P&ID development and review for propulsion ground systems. 
• Proficiency with data acquisition systems and test automation platforms (LabVIEW, Python, MATLAB). 
• Familiarity with relevant standards: MIL-STD, AIAA propulsion test standards, NASA-STD-5012, or equivalent. 
• Experience with cleaning, passivation, and cleanliness verification for hypergolic-compatible fluid systems. 
• Experience engaging and technically evaluating vendors for test equipment, GSE, or facility infrastructure. 
• Familiarity with Colorado Front Range permitting, zoning, or environmental requirements for hazardous materials operations. 
• Active DoD security clearance (Secret or above), or ability to obtain one. 

COMPENSATION

• Base Salary: $135,000 to $190,000 

• 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

• Work Location—this role will be fully onsite at either our Centennial, CO office location.
• 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.

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