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 seeking a Senior Flight Software Engineer who possesses expertise in Rust programming language to take an active role in the development and delivery of embedded flight software specifically tailored for Umbra missions. In this pivotal role, you will be tasked with a range of critical responsibilities, including but not limited to the formulation and specification of software requirements, the comprehensive design of robust software architecture, and the actual writing and implementation of code. You will take lead responsibility for the essential processes of system integration and testing, ensuring that all components function seamlessly together.
In addition to your core development responsibilities, you will also be expected to provide expert guidance and mentorship in various aspects of software design, code development, and peer code reviews. Your role will include oversight of thorough documentation practices and the meticulous integration of the flight software with flight hardware, which encompasses conducting unit testing to ensure reliability and performance. Your contributions will be vital to the success of our missions, driving innovation and excellence in software engineering within our team.
Our aim is to hire this position to work in either our Santa Barbara/Goleta, CA office, Arlington, VA office, or Reston, VA office (coming soon).
Key Responsibilities
- Collaborate with a cross-disciplinary engineering team to design, develop, and maintain reliable, fault-tolerant flight and payload software.
- Implement software to meet requirements while managing interfaces with multiple spacecraft subsystems and ground systems hardware.
- Develop command and control software for spacecraft flight operations, payloads, and peripheral electronics.
- Participate in and contribute to test campaigns, from unit-level testing to automated system and subsystem-level testing.
- Create and maintain documentation for software operation and interfaces with other system components.
- Take on additional professional duties as assigned.
Requirements
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
- 5+ years of proven experience in high-reliability software development with Rust or C/C++.
- 2+ years developing concurrent code with asynchronous Rust.
- 3+ years of embedded software development with Rust or C/C++.
- Experience programming on embedded ARM cores supporting SoC architectures in Linux, RTOS, or bare-metal environments.
- Strong understanding of processor architecture, with the ability to optimize code for performance and memory usage.
- Experience leading software development processes, including version control, CI/CD, bug tracking, and design documentation.
Desired Qualifications
- Advanced degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related field, with 8+ years of experience.
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic development environment.
- Familiarity with Python programming.
- Experience working within an agile development framework.
- Knowledge of hardware interfaces such as Ethernet, SPI, I2C, UART, and PCIe.
- Experience with software used in autonomous, fault-critical systems.
- Background in developing, deploying, and maintaining software product lines.
- Knowledge of dynamics and control systems.
- Able to travel up to 10-20%.
Benefits
- 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 $160,000 - $200,000 DOE.
Top Skills
What We Do
Umbra builds next-generation space systems that observe the Earth in unprecedented fidelity.
Our mission: Deliver global omniscience.
To stay ahead of climate change, geopolitical risk, and other major crises and issues, we need a global understanding of what is changing, where, and how fast. Umbra provides easy access to the highest quality commercial satellite data available, which is an indispensable tool for the growing number of organizations monitoring the Earth.
We empower our customers to create the solutions that inform, inspire, and address our planet’s most pressing needs. We’re helping to create a brand new industry that has never meaningfully existed before.
Why Work With Us
Umbra has a vision to illuminate the world, meaning anyone can find out what's happening on the ground anywhere on Earth at any time.
Exciting challenges lie ahead—new software products, satellite launches, and space missions are in the works. Steered by our core values, we’ll tackle these challenges creatively and collaboratively. Join us!
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