Senior Python Engineer Jobs in Santa Barbara, CA

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 are seeking a Senior Software Engineer to be a key front-end and back-end contributor to our public-facing software application and API services. The individual filling this position will collaborate with product owners and other engineering teams to analyze, develop, and maintain the software that allows our clients to task and receive our SAR data products.

This position is based on-site in either our Santa Barbara/Goleta, CA office, Arlington, VA office, or Reston, VA office (coming soon).

Key Responsibilities

• Build, test, and maintain applications that allow for self-service of SAR data imagery request feasibility, scheduling, and product delivery. This includes both a public web site and a public API.
• Provide key software architecture expertise to cross-functional engineering and product teams.
• Provide ongoing leadership and mentoring for other team members, including code reviews, technical coaching, goal setting, and progress tracking.
• Maintain a customer-centric focus (and a high level of client satisfaction) through consistent and high quality feature delivery.
• Participate in after hours on-call rotation schedule in response to emergency paging.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Computer Science or a related field.
• 5+ years of professional experience developing highly available web services with server-side scripting languages, preferably Python.
• 5+ years of experience designing, developing, and testing intuitive and well-documented commercial RESTful APIs and commercial web applications, preferably in NodeJS and React.
• Knowledge of basic Cybersecurity principles and application of relevant security measures in everyday work.
• 2+ years of professional experience developing automated build and test pipelines in a CI/CD lifecycle.
• Demonstrated foundational understanding of software architecture, event-driven microservices, interface design, and automated testing patterns.
• Experience with database-backed applications and relational database concepts, preferably Postgres.
• Working knowledge of version control (such as Git) cloud infrastructure and security (AWS preferred), IAC (such as OpenTofu/Terraform), containers (Kubernetes/Docker preferred), and CI/CD.
• One or more of the Desired Qualifications.

Desired Qualifications

• 8+ years of professional experience developing highly available web services with server-side scripting languages, preferably Python.
• Experience building and supporting software that provides services directly to customers.
• A fundamental understanding of UI/UX design principles.
• Experience working in the space industry.
• Experience building custom GIS applications, STAC, or other imagery catalog APIs.
• Good communication skills, ability to work collaboratively in a team environment, and willingness to learn new skills and technology.

Benefits

• 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 $145,000 - $175,000 DOE.