Mission Operations Vehicle Engineer

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
Remote Sensing – The Data
Remote Sensing is where Umbra got its start, and our agile Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) constellation remains the most capable on the market. We transform satellite data into real- world, actionable insights that strengthen U.S. national security and intelligence, support disaster response, and advance scientific discovery. Our team delivers data at scale with unmatched quality, persistence, and the speed and responsiveness our partners demand. If you want to work on cutting-edge space technology that’s redefining what’s possible in remote sensing, you belong here at Umbra.
About the Job
We’re looking for a Mission Operations Vehicle Engineer to join our fast-paced Mission Operations team. You’ll work directly on the front lines of on-orbit spacecraft operations - monitoring, commanding, and helping maintain the health and safety of Umbra’s growing constellation of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites. For this position we are looking for a special emphasis on scripting and tool development, as well data analysis skills for analyzing spacecraft performance.

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). 

This position offers a flexible work schedule, however during periods of system testing, anomaly resolution, or post-launch, it may be necessary to work off-hours shifts.

Key Responsibilities

• Support daily spacecraft operations, including planning, monitoring, and anomaly resolution.
• Participate in on-call rotations to monitor satellite health and respond to alerts.
• Monitor, evaluate, and help improve radar satellite imagery and other products.
• Analyze satellite telemetry and generate state-of-health reports.
• Develop and maintain tools and scripts for automation, telemetry analysis, and mission planning.
• Collaborate with systems engineering, flight software, and ground teams to improve satellite operations processes.
• Contribute to documentation, training, and process development as we scale the constellation.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in a related STEM field (such as aerospace, systems engineering, physics, or computer science).
• 2+ years of experience in spacecraft systems engineering or satellite mission operations.
• Strong understanding of spacecraft subsystems (e.g., ADCS, power, comms, thermal).
• Comfortable with: a scripting language such as MATLAB or Python; orbit analysis or mission design tools such as STK, GMAT, or Free Flyer; and version control software such as Git.
• Excellent communications skills, ability and desire to work collaboratively in a team environment, and willingness to learn new skills and technology.
• Willing to support, as needed, on-call shift assignments and odd hours near launches, such as overnights and/or weekends.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience working with radar or remote sensing satellites.
• Familiarity with mission operations software, ground control systems, or command scripting.
• Exposure to low Earth orbit (LEO) mission dynamics and constraints.
• Excitement to share knowledge and experience across the engineering team.
• Comfortable working in a dynamic and fast-paced development environment.
• Comfortable working on high-level tasks independently.

• 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 $100,000 - $130,000 DOE.