Senior/Staff Flight Software Systems Engineer Software

Front Door Defense; Reston (VA); On-site; USD 185,000 - 225,000; Full time

Job summary

Umbra is seeking a Senior/Staff Flight Software Engineer to lead end-to-end flight software development for Umbra spacecraft, from requirements to testing. The role is on-site in Reston, VA or Arlington, VA, with compensation of $185,000 - $225,000 USD per year.

You will design software architecture, write code, and oversee system integration with flight hardware. The ideal candidate will provide expert guidance in software design, code development, peer reviews, and documentation, while driving

Qualifications

• Experience in flight software development for spacecraft systems.
• Ability to architect software and integrate with flight hardware.
• Experience with testing and verification, including unit and system tests.
• Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration.
• Systems-thinking mindset with problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with cross-disciplinary engineering to design, develop, and maintain flight and payload software.
• Architect and implement software to meet high-level system requirements and interfaces.
• Create and maintain documentation for software operation and interfaces.
• Develop and test command and control software for spacecraft flight operations.
• Participate in test campaigns from unit-level to automated system tests.
• Present high-level technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
• Take on additional professional duties as assigned.

Skills

Flight software development

Systems engineering

Code development

Peer reviews

Documentation

Job description

Senior/Staff Flight Software Systems Engineer

Lead end-to-end flight software development for Umbra spacecraft from requirements to testing

Location: Reston, Virginia Arlington, Virginia

Compensation: $185,000 - 225,000 USD / year

About The Role

Senior/Staff Flight Software 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. Mission Solutions – The Platforms Mission Solutions builds on Umbra's expertise in remote sensing and spacecraft operations to engineer platforms purpose-built for U.S. and allied defense and intelligence missions. Whether it's a custom payload, a full-stack spacecraft, or the infrastructure behind an entire constellation, our team delivers secure, resilient systems tailored to exacting requirements and built on timelines that match the urgency of the mission.

If you want to work on cutting-edge space technology that's redefining what's possible in space platforms, you belong here at Umbra.

We are seeking a Senior/Staff Flight Software Engineer to support Umbra's Mission Solutions business unit in developing requirements, designing software architecture, writing code, and overseeing system integration and testing. You will also provide expert guidance in software design, code development, peer reviews, documentation, and integration with flight hardware, including unit testing. This is a unique opportunity to design and implement new features and capabilities that enhance Umbra's existing software baseline, tailored to meet specialized Mission Solutions program needs. The ideal candidate is a solution-driven problem solver, an exceptional communicator, and possesses a strong systems-thinking mindset to drive innovation in spacecraft software development.

This position is based on-site in either our Reston, VA office or Arlington, VA office.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with a cross-disciplinary engineering team to design, develop, and maintain reliable, fault-tolerant flight and payload software.
• Architect and implement software solutions to meet high-level system requirements while managing interfaces with multiple spacecraft subsystems and ground systems hardware.
• Create and maintain documentation for software operation and interfaces with other system components.
• Develop & test command and control software for spacecraft flight operations and payload electronics.
• Participate in and contribute to test campaigns, from unit-level testing to automated system and subsystem-level testing.
• Present high level technical concepts simply and clearly to non-technical audiences.
• Take on additional professional duties as assigned.