Chief Engineer (Spacecraft Hardware)

Umbra

Umbra

Other Engineering
Santa Barbara, CA, USA
Posted on Jul 4, 2024

Umbra builds next-generation space systems that observe the Earth in unprecedented fidelity.

Our mission: Deliver global omniscience.

To stay ahead of climate change, geopolitical risk, and other major crises and issues, we need a global understanding of what is changing, where, and how fast. Umbra provides easy access to the highest quality commercial satellite data available, which is an indispensable tool for the growing number of organizations monitoring the Earth. We empower our customers to create the solutions that inform, inspire, and address our planet’s most pressing needs. We’re helping to create a brand new industry that has never meaningfully existed before.

We are looking for a Director of Space Hardware with senior level space systems experience that spans the full range of spacecraft design, test, and operations. The Director of Space Hardware is a technically oriented position that serves as the technical conscience of the organization, simultaneously providing guidance and oversight of all Space Systems hardware. An ideal candidate can fuse traditional spacecraft design and analysis philosophy with the agility and flexibility of commercial approaches, to deliver state-of-the-art capabilities. An appreciation for a test-centric, risk-aware approach is critical, along with a willingness to dive deep on subject matter as required. This position reports to the Vice President of Space Systems and includes extensive engagement with the COO and CEO.

Key Responsibilities

  • Technical design oversight of flight hardware across the Space Systems Department
  • Technical coordination with other functional Directors and Engineering Management
  • Functional oversight over Mechanical and Electrical teams
  • Accountability for pace and quality of hardware development
  • Review of all electrical schematics
  • Review of all mechanical drawings
  • Participate in all technical design reviews
  • Development and maintenance of hardware design processes and procedures
  • Development and execution of experimental hardware test campaigns
  • Other professional duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications

  • Bachelors and Masters degree in applicable engineering field
  • 12+ years experience in aerospace engineering
  • 12+ years experience in design and manufacturing of flight hardware
  • Experience with electrical design, analysis, and layout
  • Experience with space mechanisms and mechanical drawing reviews
  • Experience with the development of embedded software and flight software
  • Experience developing, documenting and tracking space system requirements
  • Experience with project management and driving efforts to completion
  • Experience managing a team of engineers
  • Effective in providing constructive feedback to junior engineers
  • Excited to share knowledge and experience across the engineering team
  • Comfortable working in a dynamic and fast-paced development environment

Desired Qualifications

  • 15+ years experience in aerospace engineering
  • 15+ years experience in design and manufacturing of flight hardware
  • 5+ years experience in execution of research and development test campaigns
  • Hands-on experience and fundamental knowledge of mechanical and electrical space systems
  • Experience on multiple launch integration campaigns
  • Experience with space-based remote sensing missions

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

Umbra is an Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We take affirmative action to ensure equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics.

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 span more than one career level. To provide greater transparency to candidates, we share base ranges for all job postings regardless of state. We set standard base pay ranges for all roles based on function and level benchmarked against similar stage growth companies. Final offer amounts are determined by skills, responsibilities and relevant work experience.