Automation Engineering Manager Jobs in El Segundo, CA

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.

As Manager, Hardware Test Engineering, you will lead the Long Beach-based team of hardware test engineers to deliver fully tested and qualified components, developmental units, and spacecraft on aggressive timelines. You will own the test hardware, test processes, schedules, capacity planning, and the execution outcomes of hardware and environmental test.

You will partner closely with engineering design teams, production teams, and other stakeholders to design the test infrastructure, planning, and processes needed to conduct testing on structural, electrical, and fluids systems under simulated space operational environments. You will be accountable for adapting test to program needs, continuously improving efficiency, automation, and process maturity to deliver the required quality at the required time.

This role requires both strategic foresight and hands-on leadership: setting standards, driving automation, solving problems, and developing people to their full potential while ensuring every spacecraft meets mission assurance standards.

• Lead and mentor a high-performing team of test engineers providing distance, direction, and motivation to complete the mission, growing capacity within our most important asset: our people.
• Manage the team and cross-team test coordination utilizing effective and efficient tools that reduce friction and fuel high-quality, high-rate output.
• Own execution of hardware testing to meet program commitments including testing component, subsystem, and vehicle-level hardware for qualification and acceptance.
• Establish, maintain, and operate the test lab and test infrastructure that your team uses to test our space hardware.
• Provide accurate inputs to the Integrated Master Schedule (IMS), engineering reviews, and test reviews, aligning test activities with program needs.
• Own and continuously improve test processes, ensuring efficiency, repeatability, and compliance.
• Drive partnership with design teams to ensure high-quality design that not only meets requirements but can be tested to the qualification requirements of a program.

• Hardware tests executed that meet deadlines and acceptance/qualification delivered at required quality to buy down risk to our systems and vehicles.
• Capacity plans that maximize team and equipment utilization, minimize downtime, while preventing bottlenecks.
• Scaling up a team of high performers to deliver tested high-quality new space systems.
• Team engagement and technical excellence known across the organization that ensures efficient test approach to target prioritized risk.
• Test processes that are scalable, disciplined, and trusted by stakeholders.

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace engineering, or a related discipline.
• First-principles driven approach to engineering and problem solving backed by ability to scale analytical rigor to meet program risk levels and maturity.
• 5+ years of experience in space system, developmental system, or complex system test across electrical, mechanical, and fluids hardware.
• Environmental test experience in thermal, vacuum, vibration, electromagnetic interference / electromagnetic compatibility environments.
• Mastered use of test processes, tools, and practices including test plans, test equipment design, development, and implementation, and the integration of automation components across these systems.
• Experience with space-grade and ESD sensitive component and assembly testing.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage and maintain a high-performing team of engineers as well as the test equipment and facilities used to perform test.

• Master’s degree in mechanical, aerospace engineering or equivalent discipline.
• Extensive experience with test ground support equipment and electrical ground support equipment design, development, and implementation in test.
• Active DoD clearance or ability to obtain one.

• Base Salary: $150,000 - $220,000
• 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.

• Work Location—this a fully onsite position based out of our Long Beach, CA office.
• 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.

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.