Engineering Manager

About the role

We are looking for an experienced Engineering Manager to join the Space Systems Business Group, where you will provide leadership and guidance to both personnel and programs while managing Umbra's highly skilled Engineering teams. This role reports directly to the Vice President of Space Systems and involves overseeing a multi-disciplined team responsible for design, test, implementation, and support of cutting-edge satellite technology.

As the Engineering Manager, you will collaborate with hardware, software, and product-focused teams, as well as senior leadership, to drive the development of innovative technologies and support the professional growth of a talented group of engineers. This position is based on-site in either our Santa Barbara/Goleta, CA office or Arlington, VA office.

About the team

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, designing, building, and testing critical components and subsystems, including GNC systems, 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.

Responsibilities

• Manage personnel, oversee programmatic initiatives, and take accountability for the technical quality and schedule performance for a multi-disciplined team within the Space Systems Business Group.
• Support the professional growth and career development of spacecraft engineers, incorporating feedback from technical leadership.
• Drive innovation and implement process improvements to Umbra's engineering and space vehicle design practices to increase efficiency and effectiveness.
• Work closely with project, product, and technical leads to understand project scope, ensuring team members execute tasks with high quality and efficiency.
• Manage team members in areas such as workload, task assignments, support, development, and conflict resolution.
• Hold regular one-on-one meetings with team members and conduct quarterly performance evaluations.
• Partner with various stakeholders to execute headcount planning, recruitment, onboarding, and training of new personnel.
• Represent the team's needs and capacity in technical meetings, collaborating with subject matter experts to ensure well-informed solutions.
• Work directly with the VP of Space Systems to coordinate and report on departmental efforts.
• Apply agile methodologies to support sprint planning, track progress, and manage individual performance.
• Ensure the team adheres to legal, security, and company policy requirements.
• Perform other professional duties as assigned.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related STEM field.
• 10+ years of professional experience in aerospace engineering, with at least 5+ years of hands-on experience in space vehicle design.
• 5+ years of direct engineering personnel management, with proven experience managing senior technical staff members.
• Demonstrated experience leading engineering teams, including hiring, performance management, career development, succession planning, workload allocation, and accountability for technical quality and schedule performance.
• Proficiency in traditional project management practices, including critical path analysis, resource planning, and schedule management tools (e.g., MS Project).
• Working knowledge of Agile methodologies (Scrum, SAFe) and associated tooling (e.g., Jira).
• Proven ability to build, mentor, and sustain high-performing engineering teams in complex technical environments.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills, with the ability to engage effectively across technical and executive stakeholders.

Desired Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Engineering or a related STEM field.
• 20+ years of professional experience in aerospace engineering, with at least 10+ years of hands-on experience in space vehicle design.
• 8+ years of direct engineering personnel management, with proven experience managing senior technical staff members.
• Experience leading engineering teams through full lifecycle programs, from concept development through integration, test, and launch.
• Demonstrated ability to apply both traditional and Agile management frameworks in aerospace program execution.
• Experience operating in a fast-paced, development-driven or startup aerospace environment.
• Professional certifications such as PMP, CAPM, CSM, or equivalent are a plus.

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
• Free lunch in office daily

Pay

The Compensation Range for this role is $195,000 - $235,000 DOE. This job posting may cover multiple career levels. Base salary 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.