True Anomaly Logo

True Anomaly

Mechanisms Engineer (III or Senior), Motor Control

Posted An Hour Ago
Be an Early Applicant
In-Office
Denver, CO, USA
105K-185K Annually
Senior level
In-Office
Denver, CO, USA
105K-185K Annually
Senior level
The Mechanisms Engineer will design and develop motor drive electronics and embedded firmware for precision actuation systems on spacecraft, collaborating on closed-loop control solutions and mentoring junior engineers.
The summary above was generated by AI

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

True Anomaly is seeking a talented and experienced Motor Control Engineer at the Mid-career or Senior level to join our Mechanisms team, reporting to the Mechanisms Engineering Manager. In this role, you will own both the drive electronics hardware and the embedded firmware for precision motor-driven actuation systems on our orbital platforms. You will design and develop custom motor drive circuits, closed-loop servo control algorithms, and the embedded software that ties them together — delivering vertically integrated solutions built for the demanding thermal, radiation, and reliability requirements of spaceflight. You bring equal depth in hardware and firmware, thrive in a hands-on environment, and take pride in seeing your work perform on-orbit. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Design and develop motor drive electronics for brushless DC and stepper motor systems, including gate driver circuits, current sensing, power stage design, and EMI mitigation 
  • Develop and implement embedded firmware for closed-loop motor control, including FOC/BLDC commutation algorithms, PID and advanced control loops, and fault detection and handling 
  • Perform motor and drive system characterization, including torque-speed profiling, efficiency mapping, and thermal analysis 
  • Collaborate closely with the GNC team to develop and validate closed-loop pointing, stabilization, and tracking control for precision actuation applications 
  • Define and execute motor drive hardware bring-up, integration, and qualification test campaigns 
  • Support system-level integration of motor control electronics and firmware with spacecraft avionics and flight software 
  • Develop and maintain design documentation including schematics, firmware architecture, test plans, and analysis reports 
  • Contribute to component selection, trade studies, and design reviews across the mechanisms product portfolio 
  • Mentor junior engineers and contribute to continuous improvement of mechanisms engineering processes and practices 

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field (Master's preferred) 
  • 5+ years of professional experience in motor control system design, with demonstrated depth in both drive electronics hardware and embedded firmware 
  • Experience with brushless DC and/or stepper motor drive circuit design, including power stage, gate driver, and current sensing topologies 
  • Experience implementing closed-loop motor control algorithms including FOC, BLDC commutation, and PID-based servo control in embedded firmware 
  • Proficiency in embedded C or C++ for real-time motor control applications 
  • Familiarity with common embedded communication interfaces (SPI, I2C, UART, CAN) and their application in motor drive systems 
  • Experience with hardware bring-up, debug, and characterization using lab test equipment 
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills 

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

  • Experience with space-qualified or high-reliability motor drive electronics for vacuum and radiation environments 
  • Familiarity with precision pointing or tracking system requirements and GNC interface design 
  • Experience with motor control using DSPs, FPGAs, or microcontrollers (STM32, TI C2000, or similar) 
  • Knowledge of magnetic bearing or brushless motor design and winding analysis 
  • Experience with thermal analysis and thermal management of power electronics in SWaP-constrained designs 
  • Familiarity with applicable aerospace standards (MIL-STD-704, MIL-STD-461, EEE-INST-002) 
  • Experience working in a fast-paced, startup environment or a similarly dynamic setting 

COMPENSATION

  • Colorado Base Salaries:
    • Mechanisms Engineer III: $105,000-$140,000
    • Senior Mechanisms Engineer: $130,000-$170,000
  • California Base Salaries:
    • Mechanisms Engineer III: $110,000-$145,000
    • Senior Mechanisms Engineer: $135,000-$185,000
  • 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

  • Ability to maintain or obtain TS//SCI clearance 
  • Work Location—this role will be onsite at either our Centennial, CO or Long Beach, CA locations, with travel to other sites as needed.
  • 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.


Top Skills

Brushless Dc Motors
Can
Embedded C
Embedded C++
I2C
Motor Drive Electronics
Spi
Stepper Motors
Uart
HQ

True Anomaly Centennial, Colorado, USA Office

True Anomaly Engineering and Manufacturing Office

Located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, about 15 miles south of Downtown Denver, Centennial is the home of True Anomaly HQ. Centennial offers access to both big-city amenities and the country’s best outdoor recreation, a great public school system, and a range of neighborhood options.

True Anomaly Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA Office

True Anomaly Mission Operations Office

CO Springs offers the best of Rocky Mountain living with easy access to nature, hundreds of miles of trails, parks, and open spaces for hiking, biking, and climbing. Colorado Springs is consistently rated one of the best places to live in the US, offers affordability and amazing quality of life

Similar Jobs at True Anomaly

An Hour Ago
In-Office
Denver, CO, USA
180K-260K Annually
Expert/Leader
180K-260K Annually
Expert/Leader
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Hardware • Machine Learning • Software • Defense • Manufacturing
The Staff Software Engineer will lead the technical direction of a distributed spacecraft ground control system, drive initiatives, and mentor engineers while enhancing reliability, scalability, and product strategy within the organization.
Top Skills: BeamElixirGraphQLGrpcOtpPostgresRestWebsockets
An Hour Ago
In-Office
Denver, CO, USA
160K-230K Annually
Senior level
160K-230K Annually
Senior level
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Hardware • Machine Learning • Software • Defense • Manufacturing
The Senior Software Engineer will drive the development of distributed spacecraft ground control systems using Elixir. Responsibilities include owning service domains, setting architectural standards, mentoring engineers, and proactively addressing technical challenges.
Top Skills: BeamElixirExunitGrafanaGrpcOpentelemetryOtpPostgresPrometheusRestWebsocket
An Hour Ago
In-Office
Denver, CO, USA
145K-230K Annually
Senior level
145K-230K Annually
Senior level
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Hardware • Machine Learning • Software • Defense • Manufacturing
This role involves developing multi-physics simulation software for spacecraft, focusing on designing algorithms for coupled physics interactions and mentoring junior engineers. Responsibilities include API design and integration, coding in C++, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams.
Top Skills: BazelC++Ci/CdCmakeGitPython

What you need to know about the Colorado Tech Scene

With a business-friendly climate and research universities like CU Boulder and Colorado State, Colorado has made a name for itself as a startup ecosystem. The state boasts a skilled workforce and high quality of life thanks to its affordable housing, vibrant cultural scene and unparalleled opportunities for outdoor recreation. Colorado is also home to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, helping cement its status as a hub for renewable energy innovation.

Key Facts About Colorado Tech

  • Number of Tech Workers: 260,000; 8.5% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
  • Major Tech Employers: Lockheed Martin, Century Link, Comcast, BAE Systems, Level 3
  • Key Industries: Software, artificial intelligence, aerospace, e-commerce, fintech, healthtech
  • Funding Landscape: $4.9 billion in VC funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
  • Notable Investors: Access Venture Partners, Ridgeline Ventures, Techstars, Blackhorn Ventures
  • Research Centers and Universities: Colorado School of Mines, University of Colorado Boulder, University of Denver, Colorado State University, Mesa Laboratory, Space Science Institute, National Center for Atmospheric Research, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Gottlieb Institute

Sign up now Access later

Create Free Account

Please log in or sign up to report this job.

Create Free Account