{"id":787806,"url":"https://alion.io/job/umbra-seniorstaff-mechanical-engineer","title":"Senior/Staff Mechanical Engineer","company":{"id":58866,"name":"Umbra","domain":"umbra.space","url":"https://alion.io/company/umbra-space","size_band":null,"is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Workable","truth_index":{"grade":"A","score":89,"open_postings":8,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0.25,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":63,"computed_at":"2026-10-12T06:55:09Z"}},"role":"Industrial Engineering","role_family":"Industrial Engineering","seniority":"staff","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Santa Barbara, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":180000,"max":220000,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":220000},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":null,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":true,"technologies":[{"name":"Agile","optional":false}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-06-25T00:00:00Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-06-25","last_verified_at":"2026-10-13T02:51:53Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":110,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":0,"flags":[],"days_open":109},"description":"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.\nAbout the Team\nSpace Systems - The Components\nSpace 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.\nIf 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.\nAbout the Job\nWe are looking for a highly skilled and motivated professional to become an integral part of our dynamic and multidisciplinary Space Systems engineering team as a Senior/Staff Mechanical Engineer. In this position, you will have the opportunity to contribute significantly to the design and development of innovative, next-generation space systems and mechanisms. The ideal candidate will possess a deep passion for designing, prototyping, building, and testing hardware, as well as demonstrable expertise in the area of rotating machinery.\nThis position is based on-site in our Santa Barbara/Goleta, CA office.\nKey Responsibilities\nDesign and analyze spacecraft mechanisms, including:\nServe as the technical lead for spacecraft mechanisms and pointing systems, driving architecture decisions, technical trades, and risk reduction activities.\nCollaborate with cross-functional teams to derive and refine requirements.\nCreate motorization budgets. \nPerform detailed design and component selection for encoders and signal routing/cable management.\nDesign for launch loads and stow/release behavior.\nCreate pointing budgets accounting for on-orbit behaviors. \nWork closely with the Chief Engineer and Systems Architects to optimize designs for performance and manufacturability.\nMentor and provide technical guidance to mechanical engineers across the organization.\nCreate detailed design documentation, including drawings, design guides, and Interface Control Documents (ICDs).\nOwn the design through the full build and test lifecycle, including:\nLead technical reviews, root-cause investigations, and resolution of complex hardware issues.\nConduct Qualification campaigns. \nDevelop test plans and equipment selection for verification of torque and torque margin and open loop and closed loop pointing performance. \nVerify as built performance over temperature and in the presence of base disturbance.\nDevelop and execute work instructions, test plans, and test reports.\nPartner with technicians and manufacturing engineers to troubleshoot and resolve hardware issues.\nProvide mechanical engineering support to other engineering teams as needed.\nOccasionally support launch and test campaigns outside regular hours, including evenings and weekends.\nPerform other duties as required.\nRequirements\nRequired Qualifications\nBachelor's degree in Mechanical. Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.\n10-15+ years of professional experience in mechanical or aerospace engineering. \n5+ years of experience developing motor-driven mechanisms for spacecraft power or payload systems.\nDemonstrated technical leadership and ownership of spacecraft hardware through qualification and delivery.\nStrong multidisciplinary understanding of mechanisms and mechanical systems.\nHands-on experience in manufacturing and assembling parts using various methods and standards.\nProficiency in CAD software, with experience in design and drafting to ASME Y14.5 standards.\nExpertise in first principles analysis, including hand calculations and Finite Element Analysis (FEA).\nExcellent problem-solving skills, with the ability to independently research, diagnose, and clearly explain technical challenges and solutions.\nDesired Qualifications\n18+ years of professional experience in mechanical or aerospace engineering, with 10+ years of experience developing motor-driven mechanisms for spacecraft power or payload systems.\nA strong desire to thrive in a fast-paced, highly collaborative team environment.\nExperience serving as the technical lead or responsible engineer for complex hardware development programs. \nExperience mentoring engineers and providing technical leadership across multidisciplinary teams.\nExperience with thermal analysis.\nExperience interfacing with RF systems and associated EMI/EMC practices.\nExperience with closed loop motor-encoder automation in lab or on-orbit.\nExpertise in pointing, acquisition and tracking.\nExperience with Agile development methodologies.\nFamiliarity with electronics assemblies and harnessing.\nBenefits\nFlexible Time Off, Sick, Family & Medical Leave.\nMedical, Dental, Vision, Life, LTD, STD (employer funded).\nVol Life, Critical Illness, Accidental, Hospital Indemnity, Pet Insurance (employee funded).\n401k with 3% non-elective company contribution.\nStock Options.\nFree Parking.\nFree lunch in office daily.\nUmbra 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.\nEmployment Eligibility Verification\nIn 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.\nITAR/EAR Requirements\nThis 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.\nPay Transparency\nThis 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.\nCompensation Range\nThe Compensation Range for this role is $180,000 - $220,000 DOE.","description_format":"text","description_chars":7725,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":null,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"bachelor","optional":false},"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":["401k plan","Flexible time off","Stock options"],"hiring_locations":[{"name":"United States","iso":"US","kind":"country"}],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Space & Aerospace","Earth Observation"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-09-12T02:26:29Z"}],"visa":[],"liveness":{"score":23,"band":"cold","label":"Long shot","p_open":1,"p_active":0.638,"p_room":0.36,"age_days":109,"expected_fill_days":63,"reasons":["conf:3","velocity","win:tail","crowd:"],"computed_at":"2026-10-12T06:55:09Z"},"pay":{"stated_usd_annual":220000,"is_top_pay":true},"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/umbra-seniorstaff-mechanical-engineer","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/umbra-seniorstaff-mechanical-engineer.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-10-13T04:00:11Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","about":"Alion is a live layer of people, companies and AI agents: who they are, whether they are real and active right now, what they do and how to work with them, readable by people and by agents and paid per call.","catalog":"https://alion.io/catalog.json","usage":{"tier":"crawler_verified","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":6455,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-10-14T00:00:00Z"}},"offers":[{"id":"company.slices","title":"One company in depth, by slice","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002,"plus_per_slice":{"credits":0.05,"usd":0.005}},"unit":"per company, plus each slice with data","note":"the employer in depth","call":{"mcp_tool":"get_company","arguments":{"id":58866},"rest":"https://alion.io/mcp/rest/get_company?id=58866"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.slices&for=job%2Fumbra-seniorstaff-mechanical-engineer"},{"id":"market.stats","title":"A market slice: pay, demand and time to fill","status":"live","price":{"credits":1,"usd":0.1},"unit":"per slice","note":"pay, demand and time to fill for this role and place","call":{"mcp_tool":"market_stats"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=market.stats&for=job%2Fumbra-seniorstaff-mechanical-engineer"},{"id":"job.search","title":"Open jobs by role, technology, place, pay and visa","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002},"unit":"per posting in a list","note":"similar open postings","call":{"mcp_tool":"search_jobs"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=job.search&for=job%2Fumbra-seniorstaff-mechanical-engineer"},{"id":"company.verify","title":"Is this company real and active right now","status":"pilot","price":null,"unit":"per company","request":{"url":"https://alion.io/catalog/request","method":"POST","body":"{\"offer\": \"company.verify\", \"for\": \"job/umbra-seniorstaff-mechanical-engineer\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Fumbra-seniorstaff-mechanical-engineer"}]}