Director, Space Vehicle Chief Engineers

Quinte West, ON
On-site
Posted Sep 12, 2026
1 position

US$200,000–US$310,000 / year

Opens an external site

Employment type: Full-time
Experience level: Lead · 10+ years
Minimum education: Bachelor’s degree
Posting language: English
Working hours: 40 hours per week

Job summary

The Director will lead a team of Chief Engineers to ensure technical execution, design assurance, and engineering rigor across the space vehicle portfolio. They will partner with program managers to align technical strategy with business objectives while mentoring engineering talent.

Job details

Space is a warfighting domain. True Anomaly seeks those with the talent and ambition to build the technology that secures it. OUR MISSION 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. 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. BENEFITS & PERKS* * Best-in-class healthcare: 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents, with HSA/HRA options * Generous time off: Flexible Time Off (FTO) for exempt employees, accrued PTO of up to 25 days for non-exempt employees, plus 12 paid holidays; Parental Leave; Sick Leave * Fuel for your day: Daily catered lunch and unlimited snacks for in-office employees * And more: 401(k) retirement plan, fitness reimbursement, and Dog Fridays * Equity participation: Equity is included as part of our total compensation package, giving you an opportunity to share in the company’s success. *Do not apply to fixed term and temporary roles YOUR MISSION True Anomaly is seeking a highly accomplished Chief Engineer to build, develop and lead a team of Chief Engineers responsible for the technical execution of our next-generation space vehicle programs. In this role, you will serve as the senior technical authority across the space vehicle portfolio, setting engineering standards, cultivating technical leadership talent, and ensuring consistent, high-quality execution across multiple concurrent programs. You will shape how chief engineering is practiced at True Anomaly — instilling rigor, accountability, and a culture of sound engineering judgment that scales with the company. RESPONSIBILITIES In addition to the responsibilities above, as the Director of this team, you will: * Partner with Program Managers and senior leadership to align technical strategy with programmatic and business objectives across the portfolio * Drive consistency in technical baseline management, design assurance, and readiness review practices across all programs * Evaluate and calibrate the balance of rigor and analysis depth appropriate to the maturity and risk posture of each program * Represent the Chief Engineering function in customer, stakeholder, and executive engagements, communicating technical status, risks, and strategies with clarity * Recruit, grow, and retain top engineering talent, building organizational depth in systems engineering and technical leadership * Identify and resolve cross-program integration challenges, shared risks, and technical dependencies that span multiple vehicles or subsystems QUALIFICATIONS * 18+ years of full lifecycle aerospace or space systems experience, including leading major vehicle programs through design, test, and verification * Demonstrated experience managing and developing technical leaders, including Chief Engineers or equivalent senior roles * Deep systems engineering background with the ability to provide credible technical oversight across mechanical, electrical, and software domains * Proven ability to set technical strategy and engineering culture at an organizational level * Strong track record translating business and mission objectives into engineering execution across a portfolio of programs * Exceptional communication and leadership skills, with the ability to influence across all levels of an organization * Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Systems Engineering, or related field * U.S. Citizen eligible for DoD TS/SCI or TS/SAP security clearance PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE * Advanced degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Systems Engineering * Experience as a Chief Engineer on a major defense or classified space program * Demonstrated expertise establishing or scaling systems engineering organizations * Background in range certification, test readiness reviews, and safety boards * Active TS/SCI clearance * Familiarity with DoD and NASA mission standards, processes, and acquisition frameworks * Experience working with government agencies, primes, or subcontractors on space missions COMPENSATION * Base Salary: $230,000-$315,000 * 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 our GravityWorks factory in Centennial, CO. * 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. #LI-Onsite 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 on any basis protected by applicable state and federal laws. If you have a disability or additional need that requires accommodation, please do not hesitate to let us know.

What you’ll do

Requirements

Candidates must have 18+ years of full lifecycle aerospace or space systems experience and a bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline. Applicants must be U.S. citizens eligible for DoD TS/SCI or TS/SAP security clearances.