Spacecraft Operations Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

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

Mission Solutions – The Platforms

Mission Solutions builds on Umbra’s expertise in remote sensing and spacecraft operations to engineer platforms purpose-built for U.S. and allied defense and intelligence missions. Whether it’s a custom payload, a full-stack spacecraft, or the infrastructure behind an entire constellation, our team delivers secure, resilient systems tailored to exacting requirements and built on timelines that match the urgency of the mission.

If you want to work on cutting-edge space technology that’s redefining what’s possible in space platforms, you belong here at Umbra.

About the Job

We are looking for a Senior Ground Software Engineer to join the Ground Software team in Mission Solutions. In this role, you will implement modular, secure ground software systems for sovereign SAR satellite operations, spanning mission scheduling, satellite command and control, SAR data processing, in support of national defense and civil missions. You will work closely with spacecraft operations and systems engineering teams to analyze, build, and maintain solutions that support the advancement of our autonomous tasking and downlink system.

Our aim is to hire this position to work on-site in either our Santa Barbara/Goleta, CA office or Reston, VA office.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the development and technical implementation of the Mission Solutions ground segment product line, leveraging Umbra’s current and future infrastructure and technology.
• Design, build, test, and maintain applications that support satellite operations, including mission scheduling, spacecraft command, telemetry, and mission data pipelines, automation of spacecraft operations, and anomaly detection and response.
• Perform systems engineering and use case analysis to identify and document functional components of ground architecture solutions and their interfaces.
• Provide key software architecture expertise to cross-functional engineering and product teams.
• Establish and adhere to DevOps practices that ensure that customer and satellite-operational needs are met with quality and performance.
• Deploy ground system alongside Umbra operations and customer teams.
• Support business development and capture efforts as a key technical contributor.
• Other professional duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science in Computer Science or related field.
• 5-8+ years of professional experience developing highly available web services with server-side scripting languages, preferably Python.
• Experience developing Kubernetes/Docker containerized services.
• Solid understanding of cloud and application security, access control, and identity management.
• Professional experience developing automated build and test pipelines in a CI/CD lifecycle.
• Strong interpersonal ability, able to interact effectively with customers and Umbra staff.
• Strong leadership ability, proven to drive technical concepts from formulation to implementation.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance. Applicants must be U.S. citizens to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
  

• 10+ years of professional experience developing highly available web services with server-side scripting languages, preferably Python.
• Relevant technical experience in developing enterprise satellite ground architecture.
• Experience building software to automate space operations with modern software engineering practices.
• Experience working with U.S. Government DoD, IC and Civil customers.
• Experience with US Government information assurance and IT accreditation processes and procedures.
• Experience with SAR, RF, or other remote sensing missions areas.
• Experience with database-backed applications and relational database concepts, preferably Postgres.
• Experience with product-centric engineering.
• Strong understanding of infrastructure monitoring principles, best practices, and implementation.
• Experience designing and documenting commercial APIs with Swagger/OpenAPI.
• Active TS/SCI security clearance, read-in within the past two years.

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 in the building
• 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. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions requiring an active U.S. Government security clearance or the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

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 $150,000 - $190,000 DOE.