Senior/Staff Flight Software Systems Engineer
About The Position
Umbra is seeking a Senior/Staff Flight Software Engineer to support its Mission Solutions business unit. This role involves developing requirements, designing software architecture, writing code, and overseeing system integration and testing. The engineer will provide expert guidance in software design, code development, peer reviews, documentation, and integration with flight hardware, including unit testing. This is an 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.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field.
- 8+ years of professional experience developing high-reliability software systems.
- 5+ years of experience developing concurrent and asynchronous software.
- Active TS/SCI security clearance.
- Demonstrated experience leading software development and execution for a satellite bus or spacecraft platform.
- Experience across the full software development lifecycle, including requirements, design, implementation, integration, debugging, testing, and maintenance.
- Strong embedded software development experience using Rust and/or C/C++.
- Experience developing software for SoC-based architectures in Linux environments.
- Working knowledge of Ethernet networking, TCP/IP, and IPsec.
- Experience implementing cybersecurity requirements and integrating NSA-approved cryptographic systems or solutions.
- Ability to travel 10-20% of the time.
Nice To Haves
- Advanced degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field.
- 15+ years of professional experience developing high-reliability software systems.
- Strong understanding of processor architectures and experience optimizing software for performance, memory usage, and resource-constrained environments.
- Experience developing embedded software on ARM-based processors in Linux, RTOS, and/or bare-metal environments.
- Experience with hardware interfaces and communication protocols such as SPI, I2C, UART, and PCIe.
- Experience developing software for autonomous, fault-tolerant, or mission-critical systems.
- Experience developing, deploying, and maintaining reusable software platforms or product lines.
- Experience with space system development across spacecraft and ground segments.
- Familiarity with Python for development, testing, automation, or tooling.
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.
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 in office building or Transit is reimbursed
- Free lunch daily in office
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
