Ground Software Systems Architect
Umbra · Reston · $195,000–$235,000 (stated in the posting)
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
Remote Sensing – The Data
Remote Sensing is where Umbra got its start, and our agile Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) constellation remains the most capable on the market. We transform satellite data into real-world, actionable insights that strengthen U.S. national security and intelligence, support disaster response, and advance scientific discovery. Our team delivers data at scale with unmatched quality, persistence, and the speed and responsiveness our partners demand.
If you want to work on cutting-edge space technology that’s redefining what’s possible in remote sensing, you belong here at Umbra.
About the Job
The Ground Software Systems Architect is responsible for defining, designing, integrating, validating, and delivering secure, mission-critical ground software systems supporting advanced space, ISR, and national security missions. This hands-on technical leadership role serves as the ground software systems architecture lead for a key customer program, translating complex mission requirements and operational challenges into scalable, resilient, and secure software and enterprise solutions across classified computing environments.
The ideal candidate brings a combination of deep technical expertise, systems-level thinking, and strong customer-facing leadership. They understand how space and ground systems integrate, have experience developing and deploying software in classified environments, and can navigate complex customer organizations while balancing technical objectives, program priorities, and stakeholder expectations.
Working closely with software, hardware, network, cybersecurity, mission engineering teams, and government stakeholders, this individual will lead technical strategy, architecture, integration, and execution throughout the program lifecycle. Success in this role requires someone who can take ownership of complex technical challenges, lead multidisciplinary teams, communicate effectively with technical and nontechnical stakeholders, and drive solutions from initial customer needs through operational deployment.
This position is based on-site in our Reston, VA, Arlington, VA, or Santa Barbara/Goleta, CA office. If you are interested in working from the Santa Barbara office, high travel of 50%+ will be required for the first year.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead Ground Software Architecture: A strong understanding of software architecture, event-driven microservices, interface design, and automated testing practices. Define and develop end-to-end architectures for mission-critical ground systems supporting space, ISR, and national security missions, ensuring scalable, resilient, and secure enterprise solutions.
- Lead System Integration & Verification: Plan and execute system integration, verification, validation, and operational test activities to ensure ground systems meet mission, performance, cybersecurity, and operational requirements.
- Design Secure Enterprise Infrastructure: Develop and implement secure computing environments including COMSEC, RED/BLACK architectures, cross-domain interfaces, classified networking, Kubernetes/Docker containerized services, virtualization, storage, and enterprise IT infrastructure.
- Drive Technical Leadership & Customer Engagement: Act as a primary technical interface with government customers and stakeholders. Understand customer challenges, translate operational needs into actionable technical requirements and solutions, and communicate architectural decisions, risks, and tradeoffs effectively. Navigate complex stakeholder environments with sound judgment, diplomacy, and an understanding of both technical and programmatic priorities. Present technical solutions at customer reviews including SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, and ORR.
- Provide Cross-Functional Technical Leadership: Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams, program management, and customer organizations to resolve technical challenges, maintain alignment, and deliver integrated solutions.
- Enable Mission Operations & Modern Engineering Practices: Collaborate across multidisciplinary engineering teams to deliver mission-ready ground capabilities using software systems engineering best practices, DevSecOps, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), automation, and modern software deployment pipelines supporting U.S. Government and Intelligence Community programs.
Requirements
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related technical discipline.
- Active TS/SCI security clearance with the ability to maintain access.
- Strong understanding of space-to-ground software system architectures, including spacecraft and ground interfaces, ground communications, mission operations, and the integration of ground software with broader space mission systems.
- Experience serving as a technical lead or architect, owning architectural decisions, coordinating engineering execution, and driving complex technical initiatives through delivery.
- 10+ years of professional experience in systems engineering, software engineering, infrastructure engineering, or ground systems engineering supporting complex government or aerospace programs.
- Demonstrated experience architecting, developing, integrating, and delivering mission-critical ground software or ground systems supporting Intelligence Community (IC), DoD, space, ISR, or other national security programs.
- Experience with IT infrastructure and network integration, including secure networking, virtualization, storage, servers, and enterprise computing environments.
- Strong understanding of modern software architecture, event-driven microservices, interface design, and automated testing practices.
- Strong systems engineering experience leading system integration, verification, validation, operational testing, and requirements decomposition for complex ground systems.
- Proficiency in one or more programming languages such as Python or C/C++
Desired Qualifications
- Master's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Systems Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
- Experience supporting ISR, SAR, or other space-based intelligence collection missions.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with experience collaborating across multidisciplinary engineering teams and government stakeholders.
- Hands-on experience with enterprise IT hardware, including servers, networking equipment, storage appliances, and virtualization platforms.
- Experience developing and implementing Communications Security (COMSEC) plans, key management, and secure communications requirements.
- Strong understanding of RED/BLACK architectures, secure system boundary design, cross-domain considerations, and classified network security principles.
- Experience with automated integration and test frameworks, scripting, and laboratory development.
- Familiarity with Kubernetes/Docker containerized services, DevSecOps practices, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), and modern software deployment pipelines.
- Experience supporting U.S. Government, DoD, Intelligence Community, or NRO space programs.
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. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions requiring an active U.S. Government security clearance or the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
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 $195,000 - $235,000 DOE.