Space tech company to invest $6.75M, add 100 jobs in Reston

Umbra, a U.S. space technology company specializing in remote sensing and satellite systems, plans to invest $6.75 million in a Northern Virginia expansion, creating more than 100 jobs in Fairfax County, Gov. Abigail Spanberger announced Thursday.

Umbra plans to add a 20,000-square-foot office in Reston to go with its existing Arlington County headquarters.

“Umbra’s expansion in Fairfax County underscores Virginia’s growing role as a hub for the nation’s space and defense industries,” Spanberger said in a statement. “By adding new space in Reston to support more than 100 new Virginia jobs, Umbra is deepening its commitment to the commonwealth and to the mission‑critical work that keeps our nation secure.”

Founded in Santa Barbara, California, in 2015, Umbra makes advanced systems, from sensors to spacecraft, to provide high-resolution radar data from space to its commercial and military customers, according to a news release.

“As demand increases for high-performance, U.S.-built space systems, Umbra is proud to expand our operations in Northern Virginia,” Umbra CEO David Langan said in a statement. “A decade ago, we set out to transform how remote sensing data is delivered, and we have consistently raised the bar for speed, quality and reliability. …

“This expansion strengthens our ability to grow our team, hire top talent across the region and build on our track record of delivering resilient systems faster and more cost-effectively,” he continued.

Umbra did not immediately respond to a question about the location of its new office.

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority to secure the project for Virginia. Spanberger approved a $500,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to assist Fairfax County with the expansion. VEDP will provide funding and consulting services to support the company’s employee training activities through its Virginia Jobs Investment Program.

“Fairfax County has quietly become home to one of the nation’s most concentrated space ecosystems, with more than 150 companies supporting space-related missions, and over half of them choosing to expand or relocate here in just the past few years,” Jeffrey C. McKay, chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, said in Thursday’s news release.