Demo

Principal Autonomy Engineer

True Anomaly
Long Beach, CA Full Time
POSTED ON 4/26/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 6/2/2026
A new space race has begun. True Anomaly seeks those with the talent and ambition to build innovative technology that solves the next generation of engineering, manufacturing, and operational challenges for space security and sustainability.

OUR MISSION

The peaceful use of space is essential for continued prosperity on Earth—from communications and finance to navigation and logistics. True Anomaly builds innovative technology at the intersection of spacecraft, software, and AI to enhance the capabilities of the U.S., its allies, and commercial partners. We safeguard global security by ensuring space access and sustainability for all.

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

YOUR MISSION

As a key member of the Applied Algorithms and Autonomy team, you will be responsible for developing and implementing True Anomaly’s autonomy roadmap. You will work with a talented cross-functional team to advance cutting-edge technology at the intersection of artificial intelligence, machine learning and classical optimization. This will involve executing across various areas including vehicle autonomy, mission planning, wargaming, threat implication and uncooperative RPO capabilities. You are a first principles engineer and will have ownership of the future of autonomy at True Anomaly.

Responsibilities

  • Build the roadmap for integrating increased autonomy capability into the next generation of Jackal spacecraft and Mosaic ground software
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate requirements and stakeholder expectations into actionable strategies for autonomy implementation
  • Drive the autonomy architecture and design, implement, and verify robust algorithms that enable autonomous spacecraft planning, tasking, and decision-making
  • Test and verify your algorithms via statistical analysis, software testing, and hardware in the loop simulation

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in computer science, robotics, or a similar discipline
  • Proficient in C/C and Python
  • Strong understanding of statistics, optimization, and reasoning under uncertainty
  • 8 years of experience with implementing algorithms for autonomous planning and decision-making deployed in real-world systems
  • Demonstrated ability to work in a multidisciplinary team and solve complex problems with first principles approaches
  • Passion for spaceflight and advancing capabilities related to space domain awareness and space security
  • Track record of solving complex problems in autonomy in a fast-moving team

Preferred Skills And Experience

  • Master’s or PhD in computer science, robotics, or a similar discipline
  • 4 years of professional experience writing high-reliability, production C/C code
  • Experience with edge computing and real-time processing constraints
  • Deep technical expertise in one or more of the following: convex optimization, dynamic programming, search algorithms, reinforcement learning, decision theory

Compensation

  • Colorado Base Salary: $200,000 - $335,000
  • California Base Salary: $210,000 - $350,000
  • 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 is a fully onsite role. Candidates must be based in or able to commute to our Denver or Long Beach office daily.
  • 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.

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.

Salary : $200,000 - $335,000

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