Systems Engineering Manager

About The Team

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.

About The Job

Umbra is seeking a Systems Engineering Manager to lead the Mission Solutions Systems Engineering group. This individual will oversee the engineers who architect, design, build, test, and operate Umbra's advanced satellite and space mission technology. As Systems Engineering Manager, you will collaborate with systems, hardware, and software teams, along with senior technical leadership, to drive the development of new technologies while fostering the growth and success of a talented engineering team.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish & maintain systems engineering technical excellence within Mission Solutions.
• Lead, contribute, and support the systems engineering group through the full program lifecycle.
• Contribute and review proposal submissions for accuracy in technical content.
• Functional management of technical staff includes: coordinating and reporting on departmental efforts, conducting regular one-on-one meetings and performance reviews, guiding the professional development and career planning of mission solutions engineers, managing workload, assignments, support, and conflict resolution for team members, ensuring compliance with legal regulations, security standards, and company policies, identifying opportunities for process improvements and implementing changes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
• Program staffing forecasts and recruiting: collaborate with stakeholders on headcount planning and hiring, work closely with project and technical leads to understand the scope of work, ensuring high-quality and efficient execution, develop resource basis of estimates for proposals and department growth, use agile practices to support sprint planning, track progress, and manage individual performance.
• Other professional duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in engineering or a related STEM field.
• 8+ years of professional experience in systems engineering or a related field, with 3+ years of professional experience in direct personnel management.
• 3+ years of professional experience in space mission systems engineering.
• 3+ years of professional experience managing complex technical projects from planning through execution.
• Demonstrated experience leading engineering teams, including hiring, performance management, career development, succession planning, workload allocation, and accountability for technical quality and schedule performance.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate across cross-functional teams.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance.

Desired Qualifications

• 10+ years of professional experience in systems engineering or a related field, with 7+ years of experience in direct personnel management.
• 5+ years of professional experience managing complex technical projects from planning through execution.
• 5+ years of experience in space mission systems engineering.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, collaborative, and dynamic environment.
• Experience with agile project management practices and tools, such as scrum, SAFe and Jira.
• Experience with traditional project management practices and tools, such as critical path analysis, resource loading and MS Project.
• Experience with the full program lifecycle including systems engineering, software, and hardware deliverables.