Engineering Manager, Flight Software

About the Team

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.

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 on the lookout for a highly skilled and experienced Flight Software Engineering Manager who will be instrumental in the development and delivery of embedded flight software tailored for Umbra missions. This pivotal role encompasses a broad spectrum of responsibilities, where you will not only oversee day‑to‑day people management but also provide robust technical leadership to guide your team towards success.

Your expertise will be crucial in shaping the software architecture, driving code development, and ensuring thorough system integration. Additionally, you will be responsible for producing comprehensive documentation and conducting rigorous testing protocols, all of which are vital to guarantee the successful deployment of mission‑critical software that meets the high standards required for our ambitious missions.

This position is located on‑site in our Santa Barbara, CA office.

Key Responsibilities

• 40% people management of a team of 3‑4 software engineers, and 60% "hands on" technical leadership of that team to design, develop, and maintain reliable, fault‑tolerant flight software.

• Implement software solutions that meet system requirements, while managing interfaces between multiple spacecraft subsystems and ground systems.

• Develop command and control software for spacecraft flight operations, payloads, and peripheral electronics.

• Contribute to and lead test campaigns, including unit testing and automated tests at both subsystem and system levels.

• Create and maintain detailed documentation for software operations and interfaces with hardware/software products.

• Perform other professional duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related field.

• 5+ years of proven experience in high‑reliability software development.

• 2+ years of people management of a team of software engineers, including capacity planning, hiring, feedback, coaching, mentoring, performance reviews, and performance management.

• 2+ years of technical leadership of a team of software engineers, including requirements analysis, system design, and test plans.

• Expertise in architecting and developing concurrent and asynchronous code in Rust or Modern C++.

• Strong background in embedded software development, including experience with Rust or C/C++.

• Deep understanding of processor architecture and optimizing code for performance and memory…