Senior/Staff Mechanical Engineer - Mechanisms

Umbra • Arlington, VA

3d • $180,000 - $220,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Umbra is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Senior/Staff Mechanical Engineer to join its multidisciplinary Space Systems engineering team. The role contributes to the design and development of next-generation space systems and mechanisms, with emphasis on designing, prototyping, building, and testing hardware and expertise in rotating machinery. The position is based on-site in Santa Barbara/Goleta, California; Arlington, Virginia; or Reston, Virginia.

The engineer will lead technical work on spacecraft mechanisms and pointing systems, including architecture decisions, technical trades, risk reduction, requirements development, motorization and pointing budgets, detailed design, component selection, and design for launch loads and stow/release behavior. The role also owns designs through the build, qualification, and test lifecycle, including performance verification, troubleshooting, technical reviews, and resolution of complex hardware issues. The engineer partners with cross-functional engineering, technician, and manufacturing teams, provides technical guidance and mentorship, and produces design and test documentation. Occasional support for launch and test campaigns outside regular hours, including evenings and weekends, may be required.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
• 10–15+ years of professional experience in mechanical or aerospace engineering.
• 5+ years of experience developing motor-driven mechanisms for spacecraft power or payload systems.
• Demonstrated technical leadership and ownership of spacecraft hardware through qualification and delivery.
• Strong multidisciplinary understanding of mechanisms and mechanical systems.
• Hands-on experience manufacturing and assembling parts using various methods and standards.
• Proficiency in CAD software, with experience in design and drafting to ASME Y14.5 standards.
• Expertise in first-principles analysis, including hand calculations and Finite Element Analysis (FEA).
• Excellent problem-solving skills, including the ability to independently research, diagnose, and clearly explain technical challenges and solutions.

Nice To Haves

• 18+ years of professional experience in mechanical or aerospace engineering, with 10+ years developing motor-driven mechanisms for spacecraft power or payload systems.
• Desire to thrive in a fast-paced, highly collaborative team environment.
• Experience serving as technical lead or responsible engineer for complex hardware development programs.
• Experience mentoring engineers and providing technical leadership across multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience with thermal analysis.
• Experience interfacing with RF systems and associated EMI/EMC practices.
• Experience with closed-loop motor-encoder automation in a lab or on-orbit.
• Expertise in pointing, acquisition, and tracking.
• Experience with Agile development methodologies.
• Familiarity with electronics assemblies and harnessing.

Responsibilities

• Serve as technical lead for spacecraft mechanisms and pointing systems, driving architecture decisions, technical trades, and risk-reduction activities.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to derive and refine requirements.
• Create motorization budgets.
• Perform detailed design and component selection for encoders and signal routing/cable management.
• Design for launch loads and stow/release behavior.
• Create pointing budgets accounting for on-orbit behaviors.
• Work with the Chief Engineer and Systems Architects to optimize designs for performance and manufacturability.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to mechanical engineers across the organization.
• Create detailed design documentation, including drawings, design guides, and Interface Control Documents (ICDs).
• Own design through the full build and test lifecycle.
• Lead technical reviews, root-cause investigations, and resolution of complex hardware issues.
• Conduct qualification campaigns.
• Develop test plans and select equipment to verify torque and torque margin, and open-loop and closed-loop pointing performance.
• Verify as-built performance over temperature and in the presence of base disturbance.
• Develop and execute work instructions, test plans, and test reports.
• Partner with technicians and manufacturing engineers to troubleshoot and resolve hardware issues.
• Provide mechanical engineering support to other engineering teams as needed.
• Occasionally support launch and test campaigns outside regular hours, including evenings and weekends.
• Perform other duties as required.

Benefits

• Flexible Time Off, Sick, Family & Medical Leave.
• Employer-funded medical, dental, vision, life, LTD, and STD coverage.
• Employee-funded voluntary life, critical illness, accident, hospital indemnity, and pet insurance.
• 401(k) with a 3% non-elective company contribution.
• Stock options.
• Free parking.
• Free lunch in the office daily.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior