Engineering Manager, Digital Design

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 on the lookout for a highly skilled and experienced Digital Design 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. You will be at the forefront of creating cutting-edge HDL-based digital designs for next-generation space radar systems. In this role, you'll work closely alongside our software and electrical engineering teams to innovate, analyze, manufacture, and rigorously test microwave subsystems.

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

Key Responsibilities

• 40% people management of a team of 4-5 software engineers, and 60% "hands on" technical leadership of that team to develop FPGA-based digital designs for radar, electronic warfare, and communications.
• Work with electrical and systems engineers to integrate Xilinx SoC based hardware with high-speed data converters and associated microwave transmitter and receiver chains.
• Continuously collaborate with the payload engineering team to address mechanical, thermal and power subsystems and interfaces.
• Rapidly develop prototypes and iteratively improve hardware and firmware.
• Prepare engineering documentation, reports, and test plans.
• Perform other professional duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s of Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering or equivalent.
• Knowledge of foundational electrical engineering, computer architecture and digital design concepts.
• 2+ years of people management of a team of digital design engineers, including capacity planning, hiring, feedback, coaching, mentoring, performance reviews, and performance management.
• 5+ years of proven, relevant experience in digital design with FPGA and SoC devices.
• Development experience with Xilinx devices and design suite, such as Vivado, SDK and Vitis.
• Expertise in VHDL and/or Verilog.
• Experience developing MCU and SoC software in Rust or C/C++.
• Working knowledge of modern FPGA architectures and external interfaces, including high speed converters, DDR RAM, and Solid-State NAND and NOR based storage.
• Familiarity with standard physical layers for digital communication (UART, SPI, LVDS).
• Comfortable working in a dynamic and fast-paced development environment.

Desired Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering or equivalent.
• 10+ years of proven, relevant experience in digital design with FPGA and SoC devices.
• Experience with high-speed data transfer and bandwidth management.
• Knowledge of digital communication systems and modulations (QPSK, 8-PSK).
• Experience developing FPGA based hardware for spacecraft systems.
• Experience with parallelizing DSP algorithms.
• Knowledge of Python and SystemVerilog.
• Experience with interfacing with vendors and customers as the technical representative.
• TS/SCI security clearance, read-in within the past two years, or willingness to acquire one.

• 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 $170,000 - $210,000 DOE.