Spacecraft Production Engineer — Lead, Mission‑Ready Hardware

Umbra Lab, Inc.; Santa Barbara (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible Time Off

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, LTD, 2-

Stock Options

401k with company contribution

Free parking

Free lunch in office

Job summary

Umbra is seeking a Spacecraft Manufacturing Engineer to lead the development and sustainment of space vehicle and payload production lines. This on-site role in Santa Barbara supports the SAR constellation expansion, ensuring manufacturing processes meet high-reliability standards.

You will develop and improve production procedures, work with engineers to translate designs into build plans, and lead prototype builds while training staff and resolving issues in real time.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Manufacturing Engineering.
• 5+ years of experience supporting manufacturing, integration, or test of aerospace or other high-reliability hardware.
• Experience developing manufacturing work instructions, build procedures, and travelers for complex assemblies.
• Hands-on experience supporting assembly and integration of electro-mechanical systems.
• Experience developing manufacturing plans, build procedures, and work instructions for first-time prototype builds and complex mechanical assemblies.
• Strong proficiency interpreting engineering drawings, specifications, and GD&T (ASME Y14.5 preferably).
• Experience working cross-functionally with design engineering, quality, supply chain, and test teams.
• Strong technical documentation skills, including the ability to write clear manufacturing and test procedures.
• Experience interfacing with suppliers on technical requirements, part quality issues, and production readiness.

Responsibilities

• Develop production procedures and ensure they are accurately and clearly documented to allow repeatable and reliable manufacturing.
• Lead planning and execution of prototype builds, coordinating materials, hardware, engineering priorities, schedules, and technicians to successfully deliver build milestones.
• Perform training of production personnel and leadership on new and existing processes and procedures.
• Partner closely with hardware engineers to translate evolving designs into executable build plans, identifying manufacturing risks, tooling needs, and assembly sequencing.
• Contribute to design reviews, acting as an expert in design for manufacture and test.
• Oversee introduction and implementation of new products and product revisions.
• Resolve manufacturing discrepancies and non-conformances.
• Perform structured root cause analysis of in-process failures.

Skills

Manufacturing experience

Electro-mechanical assembly

DFM knowledge

Cross-functional collaboration

ASME Y14.5

Documentation skills

Supplier interfacing

Root cause analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

PTC Creo

Job description

Umbra is seeking a Spacecraft Manufacturing Engineer to lead the development and sustainment of space vehicle and payload production lines. This on-site role in Santa Barbara supports the SAR constellation expansion, ensuring manufacturing processes meet high-reliability standards.

You will develop and improve production procedures, work with engineers to translate designs into build plans, and lead prototype builds while training staff and resolving issues in real time.