Senior GNC Engineer

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

Space Systems – The Components

 Space Systems is where Umbra turns hardware and software designs into on-orbit realities; developing, implementing and iterating mission-ready core technology, while simultaneously advancing the next generation of our own satellite constellation. Space Systems is vertically integrated across the satellite architecture, thus the team designs, builds, and tests an array of critical components and subsystems, including power systems, communications, control systems, deployment hardware, avionics, and payloads, as well as the flight software, firmware and digital design solutions to support the entire hardware stack. Our focus is on first principles engineering, and our mandate is simple: it has to work when it counts. Every bolt, board, and binary is proven on our own SAR constellation, ensuring flight-proven reliability where failure is not an option.

If you want to work on cutting edge space technology while maintaining the highest standard for innovation and mission ready performance, you belong here at Umbra.

About The Job

We are on the lookout for a highly skilled and experienced Senior GNC Engineer (Guidance, Navigation, and Control), who will be instrumental in the development and delivery of next-generation spacecraft capabilities tailored for Umbra missions. This role sits at the intersection of GNC theory and software implementation, focusing on enabling advanced onboard processing, new mission features, integrated testing, and expanded operational capabilities while maintaining support for legacy systems. Your expertise will be crucial in shaping the architecture, driving algorithm development, and ensuring thorough system integration. Additionally, you will be responsible for producing comprehensive documentation and conducting rigorous testing protocols, all of which are vital to guarantee the successful deployment of mission-critical software that meets the high standards required for our ambitious missions.

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

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement onboard orbit & attitude determination, sensor processing, guidance, and control algorithms for all orbital regimes.
• Develop 6DOF simulations for spacecraft behavior, including sensors, actuators, and physics.
• Develop autonomous burn planning, optimization, and execution capabilities for spacecraft.
• Transition experimental GNC capabilities into production-ready systems.
• Create automated testing and validation frameworks for spacecraft GNC systems in integrated test environments.
• Provide technical support and troubleshooting for operational missions.
• Create MATLAB/Simulink models and simulations for algorithm development and testing.
• Develop flight software implementations for interfaces of GNC algorithms in Rust.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical field.
• 5-7+ years of relevant experience with GNC algorithm development, flight software implementation, or modeling and simulation.
• Demonstrated experience with orbital mechanics and spacecraft dynamics.
• Experience with setting up, managing, and configuring software-in-the-loop (SITL), hardware-in-the-loop (HITL), and hybrid integrated test environments that involve complex, independent, asynchronous systems with CI/CD pipelines.
• 3+ years of experience using MATLAB/Simulink.
• Demonstrated experience developing or interfacing with embedded software applications in C/C++ or Rust.
• Excellent communication skills for technical documentation and presentations.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple concurrent projects.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Desired Qualifications

• Advanced degree in relevant engineering or computer science field.
• 12-15+ years of relevant experience in spacecraft GNC.
• Proficiency with Python.
• Strong familiarity with version control systems (Git), collaborative development, and CI/CD pipelines.
• Experience with any of the following: autonomous spacecraft operations, onboard decision-making, distributed spacecraft systems or constellation operations, LEO or GEO orbit operations, or ground system interfaces and telemetry processing.
• Experience working in fast-paced agile development environments.
• Experience with cross-functional team collaboration (systems, software, ops).

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 $170,000 - $220,000 DOE.