Staff Propulsion Analyst, Engine Performance

True AnomalyDenver, CO or Long Beach, CA

leadPosted 5 Oct 2026

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About the role

<div class="content-intro">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

<ul>

<li class="ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message">Be the offset.&nbsp;We create asymmetric advantages with creativity and ingenuity.</li>

<li class="ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message">What would it take?&nbsp;We challenge assumptions to deliver ambitious results.</li>

<li class="ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message">It’s the people. Our team is our competitive advantage and we are better together.</li>

</ul>

BENEFITS &amp; PERKS*

<ul>

<li>Best-in-class healthcare: 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents, with HSA/HRA options</li>

<li>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</li>

<li>Fuel for your day: Daily catered lunch and unlimited snacks for in-office employees</li>

<li>And more: 401(k) retirement plan, fitness reimbursement, and Dog Fridays</li>

<li>Equity participation: Equity is included as part of our total compensation package, giving you an opportunity to share in the company’s success.</li>

</ul>

*Do not apply to fixed term and temporary roles</div>YOUR MISSION

As a Staff&nbsp;Engine Performance&nbsp;Analyst at True Anomaly, you will be the analytical backbone of our propulsion development programs. You will build high-fidelity models of thruster systems — from propellant feed lines through combustion and nozzle expansion — and work&nbsp;hand-in-hand&nbsp;with thruster designers to&nbsp;optimize&nbsp;hardware before&nbsp;it's&nbsp;ever built. Your&nbsp;expertise&nbsp;in engine balance modeling, injector design and sizing, and combustion stability will directly&nbsp;determine&nbsp;the performance and reliability of the next generation of in-space propulsion systems. This is a rare opportunity to do foundational analytical work on hardware that will&nbsp;operate&nbsp;in the most unforgiving environment imaginable.&nbsp;

RESPONSIBILITIES

<ul>

<li>Own engine balance and cycle modeling:&nbsp;Develop and&nbsp;maintain&nbsp;integrated 1D engine/thruster cycle models in ROCETS, Sinda/Fluint, or equivalent tools to predict system-level performance,&nbsp;identify&nbsp;design sensitivities, and support architecture trade studies from concept through flight.&nbsp;</li>

<li>Lead injector analysis and sizing:&nbsp;Apply first-principles and empirical methods to size injector elements, predict atomization and&nbsp;mixing&nbsp;efficiency, and&nbsp;validate&nbsp;designs against performance targets. Translate model outputs into actionable design guidance for hardware engineers.&nbsp;</li>

<li>Assess and mitigate combustion instability:&nbsp;Perform stability assessments using analytical and numerical methods — including acoustic mode analysis, Rayleigh criterion evaluation, and sensitivity studies — and recommend design mitigations such as acoustic cavities, baffle configurations, and injector pattern modifications.&nbsp;</li>

<li>Apply CFD to combustion dynamics:&nbsp;Leverage CFD tools (Ansys Fluent, Reacting Flow, or equivalent) to characterize combustion dynamics, flame structure, mixing efficiency, and hot-gas-side heat flux distributions, feeding results back into design and stability assessments.&nbsp;</li>

<li>Develop thrust chamber thermal-fluid models:&nbsp;Build conjugate heat transfer and regenerative cooling models to predict wall temperatures, heat flux profiles, and coolant pressure drop, ensuring hardware margin across the operating envelope.&nbsp;</li>

<li>Partner with designers and suppliers:&nbsp;Work directly with thruster designers and suppliers to interpret test data,&nbsp;validate&nbsp;models against hot-fire results, and close the loop between analysis and hardware performance.&nbsp;</li>

<li>Build lightweight design tools:&nbsp;Create accessible tools and parametric models that allow hardware responsible engineers to quickly size components and evaluate performance without requiring deep analysis&nbsp;expertise.&nbsp;</li>

<li>Define and execute evolutionary analysis plans:&nbsp;Structure the analysis program to mature in&nbsp;lock-step&nbsp;with hardware development and testing — increasing fidelity as data becomes available and design decisions demand it.&nbsp;</li>

<li>Establish analytical best practices:&nbsp;Define processes for in-depth analysis,&nbsp;second-set-of-eyes reviews, and parameter input standards. Build a culture of analytical rigor across the propulsion team.&nbsp;</li>

<li>Mentor and cross-train:&nbsp;Build analytical capability within the broader propulsion team, including cross-training hardware responsible engineers on core analysis methods and tools.&nbsp;</li>

</ul>

QUALIFICATIONS

<ul>

<li>Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.&nbsp;</li>

<li>12+ years of professional experience in liquid rocket engine or thruster analysis.&nbsp;</li>

<li>Engine balance and cycle modeling:&nbsp;Demonstrated&nbsp;hands-on experience building and running integrated 1D engine cycle models in ROCETS, Sinda/Fluint, GFSSP, or directly comparable tools.&nbsp;</li>

<li>Injector design and sizing:&nbsp;Significant experience&nbsp;sizing injector elements (e.g., impinging, coaxial, swirl) using analytical methods and CFD, with&nbsp;demonstrated&nbsp;ability to predict and improve mixing efficiency and atomization.&nbsp;</li>

<li>Combustion instability assessment and mitigation: Proven experience&nbsp;identifying&nbsp;instability risk in thruster designs, performing acoustic and stability analyses, and recommending or&nbsp;validating&nbsp;mitigation strategies through analysis and/or testing.&nbsp;</li>

<li>Experience with 2-phase fluid modeling in propulsion systems.&nbsp;</li>

<li>Experience with conjugate heat transfer and regenerative cooling analysis.&nbsp;</s

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