Flight Software Engineer (Rust)

Umbra; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 135,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock Options

Free Parking

Medical, Dental, Vision

Job summary

Umbra is seeking a Flight Software Engineer to lead embedded software for space missions. You will design, specify, and implement software requirements, and oversee integration and testing with flight hardware across Umbra’s mission platforms.

The role emphasizes leadership, documentation, and mentorship in code reviews, with a focus on reliable, mission‑critical software. On‑site work in multiple U.S. offices is available.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related field.
• 3+ years of proven experience in high‑reliability software development with Rust or C/C++.
• 1+ years developing concurrent code with asynchronous Rust.
• 3+ years of embedded software development with Rust or C/C++.
• Experience programming on embedded ARM cores supporting SoC architectures in Linux, RTOS, or bare‑metal environments.
• Strong understanding of processor architecture, with the ability to optimise code for performance and memory usage.
• Experience leading software development processes, including version control, CI/CD, bug tracking, and design documentation.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with a cross‑disciplinary engineering team to design, develop, and maintain reliable, fault‑tolerant flight and payload software.
• Implement software to meet requirements while managing interfaces with multiple spacecraft subsystems and ground systems hardware.
• Develop command and control software for spacecraft flight operations, payloads, and peripheral electronics.
• Participate in and contribute to test campaigns, from unit‑level testing to automated system and subsystem‑level testing.
• Create and maintain documentation for software operation and interfaces with other system components.
• Take on additional professional duties as assigned.

Skills

Rust

C/C++

Embedded development

Async Rust

ARM cores

Linux/RTOS/bare-metal

CI/CD

Code optimization

Education

Bachelor’s degree in CS/CE

Advanced degree in CS/CE

Tools

Yocto

Git

Python

Ethernet/SPI/I2C/UART/PCIe

Job description

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 seeking a Flight Software Engineer who possesses experience in Rust programming language to take an active role in the development and delivery of embedded flight software specifically tailored for Umbra missions. In this pivotal role, you will be tasked with a range of critical responsibilities, including but not limited to the formulation and specification of software requirements, the comprehensive design of robust software architecture, and the actual writing and implementation of code. You will take lead responsibility for the essential processes of system integration and testing, ensuring that all components function seamlessly together.

In addition to your core development responsibilities, you will also be expected to provide expert guidance and mentorship in various aspects of software design, code development, and peer code reviews. Your role will include oversight of thorough documentation practices and the meticulous integration of the flight software with flight hardware, which encompasses conducting unit testing to ensure reliability and performance. Your contributions will be vital to the success of our missions, driving innovation and excellence in software engineering within our team.

This position is based on‑site in either our Santa Barbara/Goleta, CA office, Arlington, VA office, or Reston, VA office.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with a cross‑disciplinary engineering team to design, develop, and maintain reliable, fault‑tolerant flight and payload software.
• Implement software to meet requirements while managing interfaces with multiple spacecraft subsystems and ground systems hardware.
• Develop command and control software for spacecraft flight operations, payloads, and peripheral electronics.
• Participate in and contribute to test campaigns, from unit‑level testing to automated system and subsystem‑level testing.
• Create and maintain documentation for software operation and interfaces with other system components.
• Take on additional professional duties as assigned.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
• 3+ years of proven experience in high‑reliability software development with Rust or C/C++.
• 1+ years developing concurrent code with asynchronous Rust.
• 3+ years of embedded software development with Rust or C/C++.
• Experience programming on embedded ARM cores supporting SoC architectures in Linux, RTOS, or bare‑metal environments.
• Strong understanding of processor architecture, with the ability to optimise code for performance and memory usage.
• Experience leading software development processes, including version control, CI/CD, bug tracking, and design documentation.

Desired Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related field, with 5+ years of relevant experience.
• Comfortable working in a fast‑paced, dynamic development environment.
• Experience with software used in autonomous, fault‑critical systems.
• Familiarity with Python programming.
• Background in developing, deploying, and maintaining software product lines.
• Knowledge of hardware interfaces such as Ethernet, SPI, I2C, UART, and PCIe.
• Experience with kernel development using Yocto.
• Knowledge of dynamics and control systems.
• Able to travel up to 10–15%.

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 daily in office

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.

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.

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 authorisations from the U.S. Department of State and/or U.S. Department of Commerce as applicable.

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 $135,000 – $165,000 DOE.