Lead Modeling & Simulation Systems Engineer

Umbra builds next-generation space systems that observe the Earth in unprecedented fidelity.

Our mission is to deliver global omniscience.

To stay ahead of climate change, geopolitical risk, and other major crises and issues, we need a global understanding of what is changing, where, and how fast. Umbra provides easy access to the highest quality commercial satellite data available, which is an indispensable tool for the growing number of organizations monitoring the Earth. We empower our customers to create the solutions that inform, inspire, and address our planet’s most pressing needs. We’re helping to create a brand new industry that has never meaningfully existed before.

We are seeking a Lead Modeling & Simulation Systems Engineer to drive Umbra Mission Solutions' efforts in analyzing complex systems through a unified toolkit. This technical leader will focus on integrating both new and existing tools across the company into a cohesive baseline for mission-level analysis, supporting Umbra’s diverse captures and programs. The ideal candidate will be an expert in multi-fidelity modeling and simulation, with a strong foundation in software development and a proven ability to collaborate effectively across technical teams. This role will involve close collaboration with spacecraft system and subsystem engineers, payload and RF engineers, and mission systems engineers to understand user requirements, integrate existing tools, develop new capabilities, and establish company-wide best practices for modeling and simulation.

Our aim is to hire this position to work in Umbra's Arlington, VA or Santa Barbara, CA office.  However, we are open to considering Hybrid applicants located in the VA/DC/MD area.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Umbra Modeling & Simulation Center of Excellence, establishing and promoting best practices for organization-wide modeling and simulation efforts.
• Identify common modeling and simulation functionalities across Umbra, recommend strategies for enabling tool reuse, and lead integration efforts to enhance cross-team collaboration.
• Prioritize, plan, and oversee modeling and simulation activities to support Umbra Mission Solutions' projects and initiatives.
• Design and implement a unified modeling and simulation framework for mission analysis, supporting Umbra Mission Solutions' captures and programs. This includes subsystem-, spacecraft-, and constellation-level performance modeling.
• Define and execute required analyses to support the successful execution of Umbra Mission Solutions' captures and programs.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in developing and applying modeling and simulation tools for complex aerospace systems.
• Technical degree in engineering, computer science, mathematics, or physics.
• Strong technical background in spacecraft and/or payload systems engineering.
• Working knowledge of orbital mechanics and spacecraft attitude dynamics.
• Expertise in multi-fidelity modeling and simulation tools and techniques.
• Experience developing interfaces between disparate software tools to enable orchestration and integration.
• Solid understanding of mathematics, with a degree in engineering, computer science, mathematics, or physics.
• Proficiency in at least one programming language beyond MATLAB.
• Comfortable working in a dynamic, fast-paced development environment.

Desired Qualifications

• Direct experience designing and implementing modeling and simulation frameworks with multiple, diverse components.
• Proven experience in developing multi-fidelity modeling and simulation tools.
• Familiarity with space mission modeling tools, such as STK or FreeFlyer.
• Extensive software development experience, with a strong understanding of software development best practices.
• Proficiency in writing modeling and simulation tools in Python.
• Experience with code profiling and performance optimization.
• Experience leading a team of software developers and engineers.
• Active TS/SCI clearance, read-in within the past two years.

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

Umbra is an Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We take affirmative action to ensure equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics.

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-$195,000.