Embedded Systems Engineer
Umbra is an American space technology company delivering advanced systems, from sensors to spacecraft, that empower customers worldwide with unmatched access to critical information from space. Our mission is simple and ambitious: redefine space—for people, systems, and missions in every domain. Umbra’s ecosystem operates through three business units: Remote Sensing (the data), Space Systems (the components), and Mission Solutions (the platforms).Together, our teams develop capabilities that deliver persistent access, resilient performance, and mission-ready solutions, advancing U.S. space leadership while keeping the world safe and informed.
About the Team
Space Systems – The Components
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, thus the team designs, builds, and tests an array of critical components and subsystems, including 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.
If you want to work on cutting edge space technology while maintaining the highest standard for innovation and mission ready performance, you belong here at Umbra.
About the Job
Umbra is seeking an Embedded Systems Engineer with a strong firmware background to support development of mission-critical satellite systems. This role focuses on bare-metal embedded development, system integration, and hardware bring-up, with opportunities to contribute across the full lifecycle—from prototype to flight-ready systems.
You will work closely with electrical, software, and systems engineers to build and validate embedded solutions on real hardware. This role is ideal for someone who can take well-defined problems, execute quickly, and contribute to improving firmware infrastructure, tooling, and system reliability.
This position is based on-site in our Santa Barbara/Goleta, CA office.
Key Responsibilities
- Design, implement, and debug low-level drivers (SPI, UART/RS-485, GPIO, timers, interrupts).
- Participate in code reviews and MR support, ensuring code quality and maintainability.
- Contribute to architecture/design documentation (e.g., RFCs, ADRs, timing diagrams, interface definitions).
- Develop embedded firmware in C and Rust for bare-metal and RTOS-based microcontroller systems.
- Bring up and debug hardware systems, including board-level validation and peripheral integration.
- Support system integration and verification across avionics, radios, and other spacecraft subsystems.
- Define and execute test plans for firmware and hardware validation.
- Troubleshoot issues across firmware, hardware, and system interfaces.
- Contribute to shared firmware infrastructure, including HALs, drivers, and reusable libraries.
- Improve development workflows through contributions to repository structure, CI/CD, and test infrastructure.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with electrical, systems, and flight software engineers.
- Document designs, test procedures, and debugging processes to ensure repeatability and reliability.
- Support test campaigns and mission-critical milestones as needed.
Requirements
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field.
- 5+ years of professional experience in embedded systems or firmware development.
- Experience developing and debugging embedded communication and control interfaces, including SPI, UART/SCI (e.g., RS-485), and GPIO/interrupts.
- Strong proficiency in embedded C and/or Rust programming.
- Experience working with bare-metal microcontrollers.
- Hands-on experience with hardware bring-up and debugging on physical systems.
- Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics and data sheets.
- Experience with debugging tools such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and debuggers (e.g., JTAG/SWD).
- Experience with system integration and verification.
- Experience with version control systems (e.g., Git) and collaborative development workflows.
- Strong problem-solving skills and ability to execute independently.
- Effective communication and ability to work in a cross-functional team environment.
Desired Qualifications
- Experience with RTOS-based embedded systems.
- Familiarity with hardware/software integration at the system level.
- Experience contributing to CI/CD pipelines or automated test infrastructure for embedded systems.
- Experience developing or maintaining HALs, drivers, or shared firmware libraries.
- Background in aerospace, defense, or other high-reliability environments.
- Comfort working in a fast-paced, hardware-centric development environment.
- Demonstrated ownership of projects from concept through validation.
- Experience working in Agile/PI planning environments.
- Experience supporting system-level testing or qualification efforts.
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
Umbra is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.
Employment Eligibility Verification
In compliance with federal laws, all hired persons will be required to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the United States by completing the required Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9 Form) upon hire.
ITAR/EAR Requirements
This position may include access to technology and/or data that is subject to U.S. export controls pursuant to ITAR and EAR. To comply with federal export controls, all persons hired must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, U.S. lawful permanent resident, refugee or asylee as defined by 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3), or must otherwise be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or U.S. Department of Commerce as applicable.
Pay Transparency
This job posting may cover multiple career levels. To ensure greater transparency, we provide base salary ranges for all roles, regardless of location. Our standard pay 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.
Compensation Range
The Compensation Range for this role is $150,000 - $180,000 DOE.
Skills
As published by workable · 12 questions · 2 written answers
Basics
First name, Last name, Email, Phone, Address, Education, Experience, Resume, Are you legally authorized to work in the US for any employer? , To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. , Cover letter, How did you hear about Umbra? , What is the highest level of education that you completed?, What is your desired base pay?, When are you available to start?, Various federal laws restrict the employment and post-government employment (PGE) activities of federal government employees. Please identify your employment status with the United States Federal Government, including civilian or military. Umbra may request additional detail on the nature of any U.S. Federal Government employment and may require provision of an agency ethics opinion letter., Similar to federal laws there may be state and local laws that regulate the post-government employment (PGE) activities of current or former state or local government (municipal government) employees. These regulations may vary from state to state but may address activities related to contracting, procurement, regulatory or legislative roles, or other public employment within a municipal government. Please select your employment status with respect to municipal governments., If you answered "I have never..." to both of the above questions, please select N/A. If you answered with something else, answer the following question: Did you in the past, or are you now, participating in, supervising, or otherwise responsible for any active or pending government procurement or contract administration matter that does or might involve Umbra Lab, Inc. and/or a matter that has a direct or potential effect on the financial or business interests of Umbra Lab, Inc.?, If you answered "I have never..." to both of the above questions, please select N/A. If you answered with something else, answer the following question: To the best of your knowledge, is any member of your immediate family (including spouse, parents, siblings, and children), member of your household, or person with whom you have a similarly close personal relationship a current employee of the U.S. Federal Government, a municipal government, or a candidate for political office?
Short answers (1)
- How many years of professional experience do you have in embedded systems or firmware development?
Pick from a list (9)
- Do you have experience developing and debugging embedded communication and control interfaces, including SPI, UART/SCI (e.g., RS-485), and GPIO/interrupts?
- Do you have experience working with bare-metal microcontrollers?
- Do you possess the ability to read and interpret electrical schematics and data sheets?
- Do you have experience with debugging tools such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and debuggers (e.g., JTAG/SWD)?
- Do you have experience with system integration and verification?
- Do you have experience with RTOS-based embedded systems?
- Do you have experience in the space, aerospace, or defense industries?
- Do you currently reside in the Santa Barbara/Goleta, CA area, or within commuting distance?
- If you don't reside in the Santa Barbara, CA area (or within commuting distance), are you able to relocate to the area, as this is primarily an in-office role?
Written answers (2)
- Which programming langauges are you most proficient in?
- How many years of hands-on experience do you have with hardware bring-up and debugging on physical systems? Please elaborate.