Senior Spacecraft Systems Engineer at Umbra in Santa Barbara, CA

Umbra is an American space technology company delivering advanced systems, from sensors to spacecraft, that empower customers worldwide with unmatched access to critical information from space. Our mission is simple and ambitious: redefine space—for people, systems, and missions in every domain. Umbra’s ecosystem operates through three business units: Remote Sensing (the data), Space Systems (the components), and Mission Solutions (the platforms).Together, our teams develop capabilities that deliver persistent access, resilient performance, and mission-ready solutions, advancing U.S. space leadership while keeping the world safe and informed.

About the Team

Space Systems – The Components

Space Systems is where Umbra turns hardware and software designs into on-orbit realities; developing, implementing and iterating mission-ready core technology, while simultaneously advancing the next generation of our own satellite constellation. Space Systems is vertically integrated across the satellite architecture, thus the team designs, builds, and tests an array of critical components and subsystems, including power systems, communications, control systems, deployment hardware, avionics, and payloads, as well as the flight software, firmware and digital design solutions to support the entire hardware stack. Our focus is on first principles engineering, and our mandate is simple: it has to work when it counts. Every bolt, board, and binary is proven on our own SAR constellation, ensuring flight-proven reliability where failure is not an option.

If you want to work on cutting edge space technology while maintaining the highest standard for innovation and mission ready performance, you belong here at Umbra.

About the Job

We are looking for a Senior Spacecraft Systems Engineer who brings a wealth of experience in space systems. Umbra is vertically integrated, developing high performance systems for remote sensing and communication, as well as the avionics and structures to support the mission. This role is centered on technical excellence, offering both ownership and oversight across the product line. The ideal candidate will seamlessly integrate traditional spacecraft design principles with the agility of commercial methodologies to achieve groundbreaking capabilities and exceptional results.

A strong focus on practical systems engineering processes, as opposed to purely theoretical ones, is crucial. Candidates should be ready to dive into technical specifics and adapt processes as required. Furthermore, the ability to mentor and support the growth of junior engineers is vital, as this role plays a significant part in their technical development. Collaborating with leadership throughout the Space Systems Business Group is also an essential aspect of this position.

This position is based on-site in our Santa Barbara, CA office.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with software and hardware engineers to model and architect spacecraft, wireless, remote sensing systems that fill critical business gaps.
• Lead multidisciplinary design and analysis efforts to deliver new products that meet the performance and business needs, within the Scaled Agile Framework.
• Derive system and subsystem-level requirements and create effective test plans to verify final performance, including specifying commercial test equipment and designing special test tools.
• Develop and release high-quality, well-organized system requirements documents, subsystem specifications, verification plans, and other formal documentation.
• Support regulatory compliance for ground-based and on-orbit operations.
• Manage relationships with third-party customers and vendors, including government, commercial, and foreign entities as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant engineering field.
• 5-8+ years of experience in aerospace engineering.
• Hands-on experience and solid understanding of LEO space systems, subsystems, and the associated space environment.
• Understanding of software/hardware integration and system architectures with a focus on hardware testing.
• Proven ability to apply engineering judgment for spacecraft analysis and decision-making.
• Demonstrated expertise in developing, documenting, and tracking space system requirements.
• Proficiency in Agile development practices.
• Effective at providing constructive feedback to junior engineers.

Desired Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a relevant engineering field.

• 10-15+ years of experience in aerospace engineering, ideally in a test environment.

• 2+ years of experience in project management.

• Experience with the full product lifecycle and sales.

• Experience with high performance payloads and software defined wireless systems.

• Proficiency in model-based systems engineering (MBSE).

• Familiarity with Jama requirements management.

• Experience with and proficiency for fishbone analysis and resolving multi-disciplinary technical problems.

• Experience as a technical lead in systems engineering or within a multidisciplinary team.

• Flexible Time Off, Sick, Family & Medical Leave

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, LTD, STD (employer funded)

• Vol Life, Critical Illness, Accidental, Hospital Indemnity, Pet Insurance (employee funded)

• 401k with 3% non-elective company contribution

• Stock Options

• Free Parking

• Free lunch daily in office

Umbra is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

Employment Eligibility Verification

In compliance with federal laws, all hired persons will be required to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the United States by completing the required Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9 Form) upon hire.

ITAR/EAR Requirements

This position may include access to technology and/or data that is subject to U.S. export controls pursuant to ITAR and EAR. To comply with federal export controls, all persons hired must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, U.S. lawful permanent resident, refugee or asylee as defined by 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3), or must otherwise be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or U.S. Department of Commerce as applicable.

Pay Transparency This job posting may cover multiple career levels. To ensure greater transparency, we provide base salary ranges for all roles, regardless of location. Our standard pay ranges are based on the role’s function and level, benchmarked against similar growth-stage companies. Compensation may vary based on geographical location, as certain regions may have different cost-of-living factors. The final offer will also be influenced by the candidate's skills, responsibilities, and relevant experience.

Compensation Range

The Compensation Range for this role is $145,000 - $200,000 DOE.