Ground Software Systems Architect Verified today

About Umbra

Umbra is an American space technology company delivering advanced systems from sensors to spacecraft. Our Remote Sensing business operates a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) constellation that transforms satellite data into actionable intelligence supporting U.S. national security, disaster response, and scientific discovery.

The Role

As Ground Software Systems Architect, you will define, design, integrate, validate, and deliver secure, mission-critical ground software systems supporting advanced space, ISR, and national security missions. You'll serve as the technical architecture lead for a key customer program, translating complex mission requirements into scalable, resilient solutions across classified computing environments.

This is a hands-on leadership role requiring deep technical expertise, systems-level thinking, and strong customer-facing skills. You'll work closely with software, hardware, network, cybersecurity, mission engineering teams, and government stakeholders throughout the program lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead ground software architecture including event-driven microservices, interface design, and automated testing practices
• Define end-to-end architectures for mission-critical ground systems ensuring scalability, resilience, and security
• Plan and execute system integration, verification, validation, and operational test activities
• Design secure computing environments including COMSEC, RED/BLACK architectures, cross-domain interfaces, classified networking, Kubernetes/Docker containerized services, virtualization, and enterprise IT infrastructure
• Act as primary technical interface with government customers and stakeholders, understanding challenges and translating operational needs into technical requirements
• Present technical solutions at customer reviews including SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, and ORR
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams, program management, and customer organizations to resolve technical challenges
• Deliver mission-ready ground capabilities using software systems engineering best practices, DevSecOps, Infrastructure as Code, and modern deployment pipelines

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, or related technical discipline
• Active TS/SCI security clearance with ability to maintain access
• Strong understanding of space-to-ground software system architectures, including spacecraft and ground interfaces, ground communications, mission operations, and integration of ground software with space mission systems
• Experience serving as technical lead or architect, owning architectural decisions, coordinating engineering execution, and driving complex technical initiatives
• 10+ years of professional experience in systems engineering, software engineering, infrastructure engineering, or ground systems engineering supporting complex government or aerospace programs
• Demonstrated experience architecting, developing, integrating, and delivering mission-critical ground software or ground systems supporting Intelligence Community, DoD, space, ISR, or national security programs
• Experience with IT infrastructure and network integration, including secure networking, virtualization, storage, servers, and enterprise computing environments
• Strong understanding of modern software architecture, event-driven microservices, interface design, and automated testing practices
• Strong systems engineering experience leading system integration, verification, validation, operational testing, and requirements decomposition for complex ground systems
• Proficiency in one or more programming languages such as Python or C/C++

Desired Qualifications

• Master's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Systems Engineering, or related technical discipline
• Experience supporting ISR, SAR, or other space-based intelligence collection missions
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with experience collaborating across multidisciplinary engineering teams and government stakeholders
• Hands-on experience with enterprise IT hardware including servers, networking equipment, storage appliances, and virtualization platforms
• Experience developing and implementing Communications Security (COMSEC) plans, key management, and secure communications requirements
• Strong understanding of RED/BLACK architectures, secure system boundary design, cross-domain considerations, and classified network security principles
• Experience with automated integration and test frameworks, scripting, and laboratory development
• Familiarity with Kubernetes/Docker containerized services, DevSecOps practices, Infrastructure as Code, and modern software deployment pipelines
• Experience supporting U.S. Government, DoD, Intelligence Community, or NRO space programs

Location and Travel

This position is based on-site in Reston VA, Arlington VA, or Santa Barbara/Goleta CA. If interested in the Santa Barbara office, 50%+ travel will be required for the first year.

Compensation

Compensation range: $195,000 - $235,000 DOE.

Benefits

• Flexible Time Off, Sick, Family & Medical Leave
• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, LTD, STD (employer funded)
• 401k with 3% non-elective company contribution
• Stock Options
• Free parking
• Free lunch in office daily