Spacecraft Electrical 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 in search of a Spacecraft Electrical Engineer who possesses a passion for space hardware, encompassing all aspects of spacecraft design, development and testing. This position is all about technical excellence, providing you with both ownership and oversight of spacecraft products.

Candidates should be eager to delve into technical details and adapt workflows as needed.

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

Key Responsibilities

• Support the full life cycle of flight electronics design, analysis, manufacture, and test, as a member of the Electrical Engineering team.
• Lead individual subsystem design and project efforts while coordinating with relevant cross-functional stakeholders.
• Perform electrical design, including schematic, parts selection and layout, for spacecraft electronics subsystems (e.g. avionics, solar arrays, batteries, payloads, subsystems and harnessing).
• Perform analysis to demonstrate performance, survivability and optimization of electrical designs.
• Maintain sourcing strategy for new and existing electronic components.
• Contribute to the maintenance of configuration control, drawing release and component libraries.
• Perform other professional duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering or related field.
• 2-3 years of relevant experience developing high reliability electronics.
• Experience in digital and analog mixed signal circuit design.
• Full stack Schematic capture and PCB layout, preferably in Altium.
• Experience developing firmware for embedded systems (e.g. microcontrollers, FPGAs).
• Familiarity with test equipment such as oscilloscopes, logic and spectrum analyzers, thermal chambers, and current probes.

Desired Qualifications

• 3+ years of relevant experience developing high reliability electronics.

• Proven track record of engagement with PCB contract manufacturers and board houses.

• Scripting languages such as Python.

• Familiarity with communication protocols such as SPI, RS-422 and RS-485.

• Excellent communications skills, ability and desire to work collaboratively in a team environment, and willingness to guide more junior engineers as needed.

• Comfortable working in a dynamic and fast-paced development environment.

• 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 in the building

• Free lunch in office daily

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 $120,000- $160,000 DOE.