Staff Mechanical Engineer - Composites and Structures

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

Our mission: 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 looking for a highly skilled and motivated professional to become an integral part of our dynamic and multidisciplinary Space Systems engineering team as a 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 composite structures specifically tailored for spacecraft applications.

This position is based on-site in our Santa Barbara, CA office.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and analyze spacecraft hardware and components, including:
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to derive and refine requirements.
• Perform detailed design for structures and for deployable panels.
• Perform analysis for launch loads and on-orbit load cases.
• Build Finite Element Models to estimate on-orbit micro vibration propagation through the spacecraft.
• Evaluate and down select fabrication vendors.
• Work closely with the Chief Engineer and Systems Architects to optimize designs for performance and manufacturability.
• Create detailed design documentation, including drawings, design guides, and Interface Control Documents (ICDs).
• Own the design through the full build and test lifecycle, including:
• Develop and execute work instructions, test plans, and test reports.
• Support complex secondary operations, such as solar cell laydown and string welding.
• Partner with technicians and manufacturing engineers to troubleshoot and resolve hardware issues.
• Vendor management and ensuring quality of received components.
• Develop and conduct Qualification campaigns.
• Provide mechanical engineering support to other engineering teams as needed.
• Occasionally support launch and test campaigns outside regular hours, including evenings and weekends.
• Perform other duties as required.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
• 10-15+ years of professional experience in mechanical engineering, specializing in composite and structures design.
• Strong multidisciplinary understanding of composite fabrication and inspection.
• Experience with the structural analysis of honeycomb core structures.
• Hands-on experience in manufacturing and assembling parts using various methods and standards.
• Proficiency in CAD software, with experience in design and drafting to ASME Y14.5 standards.
• Expertise in first principles analysis, including hand calculations and Finite Element Analysis (FEA).
• Excellent problem-solving skills, with the ability to independently research, diagnose, and clearly explain technical challenges and solutions.
• A strong desire to thrive in a fast-paced, highly collaborative team environment.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience in building Finite Element Models for jitter prediction.
• Experience with Solar Arrays or other deployables.
• Demonstrated capability to resolve vendor quality issues.
• Expertise in conducting thermal analyses.
• Expertise in weight optimization and structural efficiency.
• Knowledge of failure modes and damage tolerance.
• Experience with Agile development methodologies.
• Familiarity with electronics assemblies, and harnessing.

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