Key Takeaways
- Umbra is investing $6.75 million to expand its operations in Northern Virginia, creating over 100 high-tech jobs.
- The new 20,000-square-foot office in Reston aims to enhance its capabilities in radar imaging and satellite system development.
- The company is known for its synthetic aperture radar technology and has previously expanded its manufacturing capacity in California.
Company Expansion Announcement
Santa Barbara-based Umbra, a leader in space technology, is broadening its footprint in Northern Virginia with an investment of $6.75 million. Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger revealed that this expansion is expected to create more than 100 high-tech jobs in Fairfax County, meeting the rising demand for U.S.-built space systems.
The new office, spanning 20,000 square feet, will be situated in Reston and will complement Umbra’s existing headquarters in Arlington. The investment will bolster Umbra’s development in remote sensing and satellite systems, focusing on advanced radar imaging and resilient spacecraft technologies for both defense and commercial sectors.
CEO David Langan emphasized that the expansion is a response to increasing demand for domestically produced space systems. He stated, “Today, Umbra leads in modern mesh antenna technology and persistent remote sensing capabilities that support critical national security and commercial missions.” This addition will enable Umbra to enhance its talent pool, attract skilled professionals in the area, and continue its delivery of innovative space-based solutions.
Support for this initiative includes a $500,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund designated for Fairfax County, along with employee training funding from the Virginia Jobs Investment Program. Umbra also has an ongoing partnership with SpaceX to launch several satellites, reinforcing its operational capabilities.
In addition to the new Virginia site, Umbra recently launched a new 50,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Southern California in June 2025. This facility significantly boosts its U.S. satellite production capacity, allowing for satellites with enhanced imaging throughput and larger radar apertures.
Founded in 2015, Umbra specializes in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) technology and operates a satellite constellation that delivers high-resolution radar imagery. The company, co-founded by David Langan and Gabe Dominicielo, is fully U.S.-owned and continues to position itself as a key player in the space technology sector.
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