Principal, Integrated Test Operations Lead

Principal, Integrated Test Operations Lead

True Anomaly seeks those with the talent and ambition to build the technology that secures space.

True Anomaly delivers decisive capabilities for space superiority. We build autonomous spacecraft, advanced payloads, mission software, and space-based interceptors — enabling the U.S. and its Allies to secure the space environment and counter threats from the ultimate high ground.

Your mission is to lead 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.

Required Qualifications & Experience:

• 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

Desired Qualifications:

• 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

Compensation:

• Base Salary: $165,000-$285,000
• Equity + Benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, HRA/HSA options, PTO and paid holidays, 401K, Parental Leave

Additional Requirements:

• Ability to maintain or obtain TS//SCI clearance
• Work Location: this role will be fully onsite at our GravityWorks factory in Centennial, CO or Long Beach, CA.
• Work environment is in a standard office, working at a desk or in a production factory.

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.

True Anomaly is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of sex, race, religion or belief, ethnic or national origin, disability, age, citizenship, marital, domestic or civil partnership status, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, maternity or related condition (including breastfeeding) or any other basis as protected by applicable law.