Staff Space Mission Systems Engineer Verified today

About Umbra

Umbra is an American space technology company delivering advanced systems from sensors to spacecraft. The Mission Solutions group builds purpose-built platforms for U.S. and allied defense and intelligence missions, from custom payloads to full-stack spacecraft and constellation infrastructure.

The Role

You will serve as a technical lead and mission architect, driving end-to-end mission development from early concept through launch and early operations. On the left side of the V, you will define mission concepts, requirements, and system architecture. On the right side of the V, you will guide execution through integration, test, launch, and early operations.

You must be both a strategic technical leader and a hands-on engineer: setting direction, making critical trade decisions, and solving complex problems alongside program leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional technical teams from mission concept through flight design and launch readiness
• Architect space missions, spacecraft, and ground systems; perform trade studies to inform design decisions
• Develop Concepts of Operations (ConOps), system block diagrams, and mission-level and subsystem requirements
• Manage technical budgets, interfaces, system margins, and program risk across the mission lifecycle
• Develop and execute end-to-end system integration and test plans
• Lead system verification and validation (V&V) activities to ensure mission and performance requirements are met
• Guide technical teams through major program milestone reviews, including SRR and CDR
• Travel approximately 15% to Umbra facilities in California and Washington, D.C., and partner and customer sites

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field
• 15+ years of professional experience in systems architecture and design for satellite or aerospace systems
• Proven leadership ability to drive technical concepts from early formulation through implementation and flight
• Demonstrated experience architecting space missions, spacecraft, payloads, and ground systems
• Strong working knowledge of systems engineering processes across the full program lifecycle
• Deep expertise in the design and development of at least one spacecraft subsystem (e.g., Power, Communications, GN&C, ADCS, or similar)
• Experience supporting integration, environmental testing, launch campaigns, and on-orbit operations
• Working knowledge of flight software, firmware development, hardware/software interfaces, and system integration considerations
• Excellent communication skills, with ability to convey complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders and government customers
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance. Applicants must be U.S. citizens

Desired Qualifications

• Advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field
• 20+ years of professional experience in systems architecture and design for satellite or aerospace systems
• Comfortable operating in a dynamic, fast-paced startup environment while meeting rigor and discipline required for government programs
• Experience with SAR and RF missions and payloads
• Demonstrated experience delivering flight hardware or software to government or commercial stakeholders
• Experience leading or chairing a Failure Review Board (FRB) or anomaly investigation
• Prior experience working with U.S. Government customers or on government Programs of Record
• Proficiency with industry-standard engineering tools such as STK, MATLAB, and Python
• Active TS/SCI security clearance, or read-in within the past two years

Location and Compensation

This position is based on-site in our Reston, VA or Arlington, VA office. The compensation range is $200,000 - $230,000 DOE.

Benefits

• Flexible Time Off, Sick, Family & Medical Leave
• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, LTD, STD (employer funded)
• Voluntary Life, Critical Illness, Accidental, Hospital Indemnity, Pet Insurance
• 401k with 3% non-elective company contribution
• Stock Options
• Free Parking
• Free lunch daily in office