Senior Flight Software Engineer

Santa Barbara, California, United States

Full Time

12 days ago

Job description

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 seeking an experienced Flight Software Engineer to play a key role in delivering embedded flight software for Umbra missions. In this role, you will be responsible for code development, system integration, documentation, peer reviews, and testing to ensure the successful deployment of mission-critical software.


This position is located onsite in our Santa Barbara, CA office.


Key Responsibilities

  • Collaborate with a cross-functional engineering team to design, develop, and maintain reliable, fault-tolerant flight software
  • Implement software solutions that meet system requirements while managing interfaces between multiple spacecraft subsystems and ground systems
  • Develop command and control software for spacecraft flight operations, payloads, and peripheral electronics
  • Contribute to and lead test campaigns, including unit testing and automated tests at both subsystem and system levels
  • Create and maintain detailed documentation for software operations and interfaces with hardware/software products
  • Perform other professional duties as assigned


Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related field
  • 5+ years of proven experience in high-reliability software development
  • Expertise in developing concurrent and asynchronous code in Rust or C/C++
  • Strong background in embedded software development, including experience with Rust, C, or C++
  • Hands-on experience with kernel development using Yocto
  • Proficient in programming embedded ARM cores supporting SoC architectures, and working within Linux, RTOS, or bare-metal environments
  • Deep understanding of processor architecture and optimizing code for performance and memory efficiency
  • Experience with software development tools and processes, including source control, bug tracking, and design documentation
  • Comfortable working in a fast-paced and dynamic development environment


Desired Qualifications

  • Advanced degree in Software Engineering with 7+ years of relevant experience
  • Familiarity with Python programming
  • Experience working within an agile development framework
  • Knowledge of Ethernet, SPI, I2C, UART, and PCIe interfaces
  • Experience developing software for autonomous, fault-critical systems
  • Experience with developing, deploying, and maintaining software product lines


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.

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