Chief Engineer, Mission Solutions - Umbra

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

Our mission is to 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.

Are you in?

We are seeking a seasoned Chief Engineer to serve as the technical authority for Umbra's Mission Solutions division. This leader will act as the primary technical liaison between the division and the broader organization, collaborating closely with program managers and Mission Solutions leadership to ensure clear scoping, appropriate resourcing, and technical excellence, driving program and mission success. The Chief Engineer will oversee the definition and breakdown of mission requirements, lead trade studies, and ensure technical excellence across all phases of Mission Solutions programs. They will work across the company to align Mission Solutions’ needs with the organization’s capabilities, providing recommendations to leadership as needed. The ideal candidate is a skilled spacecraft systems engineer, mission-focused, an effective communicator, adaptable, and eager to tackle complex challenges.

Our aim is to hire this position to work in Umbra's Arlington, VA office.  However, we are open to considering Hybrid applicants located in the VA/DC/MD area.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical authority for the Mission Solutions portfolio, overseeing systems engineering processes, interface control documents and product line architecture.
• Collaborate with Umbra’s Space Systems group to develop and define processes for system technical specifications, build, testing, and delivery.
• Lead the development of Umbra’s Systems Engineering Management Plan and mission assurance strategy, ensuring consistent practices across the organization.
• Establish and customize the verification & validation approaches for Mission Solutions programs, with a strong emphasis on assembly, integration and testing processes.
• Work closely with customers and mission architects to understand, document and decompose mission requirements, ensuring alignment across technical teams.
• Partner with Program Managers and leadership to ensure programs are properly resourced appropriately and set up for successful execution.
• Provide technical leadership for the execution of individual Mission Solutions programs, ensuring alignment with mission objectives and technical excellence.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in mission-level space systems engineering.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field.
• Proven experience leading technical organizations, including setting strategy, defining objectives, and establishing processes
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage with customers, staff, and other program stakeholders.
• In-depth knowledge of National ISR collection systems and innovative ideas on how Umbra can support critical U.S. Government missions.
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced development environment.
• Active TS/SCI clearance, read-in within the past two years.
  

Desired Qualifications

• Extensive experience working with U.S. Government entities, including the DoD, Intelligence Community (IC), and Civil customers, particularly the NRO and USSF.
• Deep expertise in international partner nation remote sensing systems, including commercial, state-sponsored, and national systems.
• Proficiency in model-based systems engineering (MBSE) and architecture modeling practices, tools, and frameworks (e.g., SysML, DoDAF).
• Extensive experience with Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), RF, and other remote sensing missions.
• Experience working with distributed space systems, including managing constellations of multiple spacecraft.

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 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 $175,000 - $230,000.