Senior Spacecraft Mechanical Engineer - Composites and Structures

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. 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 Job

We are looking for a highly skilled and motivated professional to become an integral part of our dynamic and multidisciplinary engineering team as a Senior Spacecraft Mechanical Engineer. In this position, you will have the opportunity to contribute significantly to the design and development of innovative, next-generation space systems and mechanisms. The ideal candidate will possess a deep passion for designing, prototyping, building, and testing hardware, as well as demonstrable expertise in the area of composite structures specifically tailored for spacecraft applications.

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

Key Responsibilities

• Design and analyze spacecraft hardware and components, including:
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to derive and refine requirements.
• Perform detailed design for structures and for deployable panels.
• Perform analysis for launch loads and on-orbit load cases.
• Build Finite Element Models to estimate on-orbit micro vibration propagation through the spacecraft.
• Evaluate and down select fabrication vendors.
• Work closely with the Chief Engineer and Systems Architects to optimize designs for performance and manufacturability.
• Create detailed design documentation, including drawings, design guides, and Interface Control Documents (ICDs).
• Own the design through the full build and test lifecycle, including:
• Develop and execute work instructions, test plans, and test reports.
• Support complex secondary operations, such as solar cell laydown and string welding.
• Partner with technicians and manufacturing engineers to troubleshoot and resolve hardware issues.
• Vendor management and ensuring quality of received components.
• Develop and conduct Qualification campaigns.
• Provide mechanical engineering support to other engineering teams as needed.
• Occasionally support launch and test campaigns outside regular hours, including evenings and weekends.
• Perform other duties as required.

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related field.
• 8-10+ years of professional mechanical engineering experience, with a focus on composite materials and structural design.
• Strong understanding of composite materials, fabrication processes, and inspection methods.
• Experience performing structural analyses, including first-principles calculations and Finite Element Analysis (FEA).
• Hands-on experience with manufacturing, assembly, and integration of complex mechanical structures.
• Proficiency in CAD software, including design and drafting in accordance with ASME Y14.5 standards.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to independently diagnose technical challenges and communicate effective solutions.

• Master's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related field.
• 15+ years of professional mechanical engineering experience, specializing in composite structures and design.
• Experience analyzing honeycomb core structures, including failure modes and damage tolerance.
• Experience developing finite element models for jitter prediction and structural performance.
• Experience designing or analyzing solar arrays and other deployable mechanisms.
• Experience performing thermal analyses and optimizing structural designs for weight and efficiency.
• Experience identifying and resolving manufacturing or supplier quality issues.
• Familiarity with electronics assemblies, wiring harnesses, and mechanical-electrical integration.
• Experience working in Agile development environments and collaborating across multidisciplinary engineering teams.

• 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 in office daily

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 $175,000 - $215,000 DOE.