Senior Flight Software Engineer (Rust)

Umbra Lab Inc.; Santa Barbara (CA); Hybrid; USD 155,000 - 185,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible Time Off

Medical benefits

Stock Options

Free Parking

Free Lunch

Job summary

Umbra is seeking a Senior Flight Software Engineer to develop embedded flight software for space missions, with emphasis on Rust and C/C++. You’ll lead design, integration and testing, while mentoring peers and ensuring documentation standards.

The role is on-site at our Santa Barbara/Goleta, CA office (also in Arlington, VA or Reston, VA). Expect strong collaboration across hardware and software teams and a focus on mission readiness.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or higher degree in CS, CE, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in architecting and developing high-reliability software with Rust or Modern C/C++.
• 4+ years of systems and/or embedded software development with Rust or Modern C/C++.
• 2+ years developing concurrent code with asynchronous Rust.
• Proficient in Linux, RTOS, or bare-metal environments.
• Experience leading software design, version control, bug tracking, and documentation.
• Experience building CI pipelines and automated testing, with build/release management and static/dynamic analysis tools.
• Able to travel up to 15% between Umbra’s Virginia & Santa Barbara offices.

Responsibilities

• Drive team to improve software engineering practices.
• Collaborate to design, develop, and maintain fault-tolerant flight and payload software.
• Architect and implement software to meet high-level system requirements.
• Develop command and control software for spacecraft flight operations and payloads.
• Lead test campaigns from unit to system level.
• Create and maintain detailed documentation for software operation and interfaces.
• Present high-level technical concepts simply to non-technical audiences.
• Take on additional professional duties as assigned.

Skills

Rust

C/C++

Embedded software

Linux

CI/CD

Mentorship

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's or higher degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related field

Tools

Yocto

Python

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 Senior Flight Software Engineer, with expertise in the 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 tests to ensure reliability and performance. The ideal candidate shows ownership, is a solution-driven problem solver, an exceptional communicator, and possesses a strong systems‑thinking mindset. 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

• Drive yourself and all of your team to become better software engineers.
• Collaborate with a cross-disciplinary engineering team to design, develop, and maintain reliable, fault-tolerant flight and payload software.
• Architect and implement software to meet high-level system requirements, while managing interfaces with multiple spacecraft subsystems, ground systems and hardware.
• Develop command and control software for spacecraft flight operations, payloads, and peripheral electronics.
• Contribute to and lead test campaigns, from unit-level testing to automated system and subsystem-level testing.
• Create and maintain detailed documentation for software operation and interfaces with other system components.
• Present high level technical concepts simply and clearly to non-technical audiences.
• Take on additional professional duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's or higher degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
• 5+ years of proven experience in architecting and developing high-reliability software with Rust or Modern C/C++.
• 4+ years of systems and/or embedded software development with Rust or Modern C/C++.
• 2+ years developing concurrent code with asynchronous Rust.
• Proficient working within Linux, RTOS, or bare-metal environments.
• Experience leading software design and development processes, including version control, bug tracking, and documentation.
• Experience building and maintaining Continuous Integration (CI) pipelines, automated testing and build/release management, and static/dynamic analysis tools.
• Able to travel up to 15% (between Umbra’s Virginia & Santa Barbara offices).

Desired Qualifications

• 8+ years of proven experience in architecting and developing high-reliability software with Rust or C/C++.
• 3+ years developing concurrent code with asynchronous Rust.
• 3+ years with space systems development, including space and ground segments.
• 3+ years with software used in autonomous, fault-critical systems.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic development environment.
• Hands‑on experience with kernel development using Yocto or similar.
• Background in developing, deploying, and maintaining software product lines.
• Familiarity with Python programming.
• Strong understanding of processor architecture, with the ability to optimize code for performance and memory usage.
• Knowledge of hardware interfaces such as Ethernet, SPI, I2C, UART, and PCIe.
• Knowledge of dynamics and control systems.

• 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 ParkingFree 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.

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 $155,000 - $185,000 DOE.