The future of aerospace and defense starts here.
Ursa Major was founded to revolutionize how America and its allies access and apply high-performance propulsion, from hypersonics to solid rocket motors, satellite maneuvering and launch. We design and deliver propulsion and defense systems that solve the most urgent and critical national security demands.
Our products and technologies require an extraordinary team. A team that will mold tomorrow’s technologies while deploying today’s best. We are an intrinsically motivated team that has a passion for solving problems and empowering each other every day to develop our skills, knowing that there is always room for growth.
As a Chief Engineer at Ursa Major, you are the senior technical authority responsible for the strategic direction, development, qualification, and application of materials and manufacturing processes across the company's propulsion programs. You provide technical leadership that spans programs, products, and manufacturing operations, ensuring materials and process decisions support performance, reliability, manufacturability, scalability, and business objectives.
As a recognized expert and trusted advisor to engineering and executive leadership, you define technical roadmaps, establish engineering standards, guide resolution of the organization's most complex technical challenges, and drive the adoption of advanced materials and manufacturing technologies. You influence critical engineering decisions across the product lifecycle while fostering technical excellence and mentoring the next generation of engineering leaders.
Responsibilities
- Serve as the company's senior technical authority for materials and manufacturing processes supporting aerospace propulsion systems.
- Define and execute the long-term strategy and technology roadmap for materials and processes across current and future programs.
- Lead development, qualification, and implementation of advanced materials and manufacturing technologies to improve product performance, reliability, and cost.
- Establish, review, and approve company-wide materials and process specifications, standards, and qualification methodologies.
- Provide technical oversight and guidance for critical design, manufacturing, supplier, and quality decisions involving materials and processes.
- Lead the resolution of the organization's most complex materials and manufacturing challenges, including failure investigations, root cause analyses, and corrective action implementation.
- Evaluate and guide make-versus-buy decisions, supplier selection, and strategic investments related to materials and manufacturing capabilities.
- Collaborate with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, and Program Leadership to ensure alignment between technical solutions and business objectives.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives across manufacturing processes, materials qualification approaches, and engineering practices.
- Identify and mature emerging technologies that provide strategic advantage to the organization.
- Mentor engineers across all levels, helping develop technical expertise, engineering judgment, and leadership capabilities.
- Represent Ursa Major as a technical leader with customers, suppliers, industry organizations, and external partners as required.
Required Qualifications
- Master's degree in Materials Science, Metallurgy, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field and 15+ years of professional experience in aerospace, propulsion, advanced manufacturing, or materials engineering roles. Candidates with a bachelor's degree and extensive relevant experience will also be considered.
- Recognized expertise in metallic materials (e.g., stainless steels, nickel alloys, titanium alloys, aluminum alloys) and advanced manufacturing processes including additive manufacturing, casting, forging, brazing, welding, and machining.
- Extensive experience developing, qualifying, and implementing materials and manufacturing processes for high-performance aerospace applications.
- Demonstrated success leading complex technical initiatives and influencing engineering decisions across multiple programs and organizations.
- Deep knowledge of material testing methods, aerospace materials standards (ASTM, AMS), and quality systems (AS9100, NADCAP).
- Proven experience leading material failure investigations, root cause analyses, and corrective action implementation.
- Strong technical leadership, communication, and collaboration skills with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
- Demonstrated ability to balance technical excellence with program, operational, and business objectives.
Preferred Experience
- Aerospace propulsion systems experience, particularly in high-temperature, high-pressure, or highly dynamic operating environments.
- Extensive experience with additive manufacturing technologies and qualification of additively manufactured metallic components.
- Expertise in joining technologies including TIG welding, EB welding, brazing, and other advanced joining methods.
- Experience establishing material allowables, qualification frameworks, and certification methodologies for aerospace applications.
- Hands-on laboratory experience with metallography, fractography, material characterization techniques, and advanced testing equipment.
- Experience building or expanding materials laboratories, qualification programs, or advanced manufacturing capabilities.
- Technical publications, patents, industry presentations, or participation in aerospace standards organizations.
Working Conditions
- Primarily based in an office, engineering, and manufacturing environment with regular interaction across production, test, and laboratory facilities.
- Frequent engagement in manufacturing areas, test facilities, and materials laboratories requiring adherence to safety protocols and use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Occasional domestic travel may be required to support supplier qualification activities, customer engagements, industry conferences, and company facilities.
Colorado law requires us to tell you the base compensation range of this role, which is $167,000 - $209,000, determined by your education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities. What we can’t quantify for you are the exciting challenges, supportive team, and amazing culture we enjoy.
Classification: Full-time Exempt
Benefits Include: (Please note, Interns are not eligible for benefits)
- Unlimited PTO - Vacation, Sick, Personal, and Bereavement
- Paid Parental and Adoptive Leave
- Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
- Tax Advantage Accounts (HSA/FSA)
- Employer Paid Short and Long Term Disability, Basic Life, AD&D
- Additional Benefit Options Including Voluntary Life and Emergency Medical Transport
- EAP Program
- Retirement Savings Plan - 401k with Company Match
- Equity Grants in the Company
How To Apply:
Interested candidates are encouraged to apply by filling out the application below and clicking "Submit Application". This position will be posted for a minimum of 3 days and will remain open until filled or adjusted based on the volume of applicants.
Skills Required
- Master's degree in Materials Science, Metallurgy, Aerospace Engineering, or related field and 15+ years professional experience (or bachelor's with extensive experience).
- Recognized expertise in metallic materials (stainless steels, nickel, titanium, aluminum) and advanced manufacturing processes (additive manufacturing, casting, forging, brazing, welding, machining).
- Extensive experience developing, qualifying, and implementing materials and manufacturing processes for high-performance aerospace applications.
- Proven experience leading material failure investigations, root cause analyses, and corrective action implementation.
- Deep knowledge of material testing methods and aerospace materials standards (ASTM, AMS) and quality systems (AS9100, NADCAP).
- Demonstrated success leading complex technical initiatives and influencing engineering decisions across programs and organizations.
- Strong technical leadership, communication, and collaboration skills; ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
- Must be a U.S. Person (U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident).
- Eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance.
- Occasional domestic travel for supplier qualification, customer engagements, and conferences.
- Aerospace propulsion systems experience (high-temperature/high-pressure environments).
- Extensive experience with additive manufacturing technologies and qualification of metallic components.
- Expertise in joining technologies including TIG, EB welding, brazing, and other advanced joining methods.
- Experience establishing material allowables, qualification frameworks, and certification methodologies for aerospace applications.
- Hands-on laboratory experience with metallography, fractography, material characterization techniques, and advanced testing equipment.
- Experience building or expanding materials laboratories, qualification programs, or advanced manufacturing capabilities.
- Technical publications, patents, industry presentations, or participation in aerospace standards organizations.
What the Team is Saying
Ursa Major Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — The package includes unlimited PTO spanning vacation, sick, personal, and bereavement time, plus two company‑wide weeklong breaks around July 4 and year‑end. These elements indicate structured downtime beyond standard holiday calendars.
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Healthcare Strength — Comprehensive coverage includes medical, dental, and vision alongside HSA/FSA, employer‑paid short‑ and long‑term disability, basic life, AD&D, and an EAP. The combination emphasizes both core medical care and income protection.
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Retirement Support — A 401(k) with company match is advertised together with equity grants/stock options. This pairing supports long‑term savings while offering ownership participation.
Ursa Major Insights
What We Do
Ursa Major was founded to address a critical shortfall in the U.S. industrial base and bring a new model to aerospace and defense systems: we design and manufacture the world’s leading propulsion systems for space, hypersonic applications, and missile systems. Our products and technologies require an extraordinary team – a team that will mold tomorrow’s technologies while deploying today’s best. We are an intrinsically motivated team that has a passion for solving problems and empowering each other every day to develop our skills, knowing that there is always room for growth.
Why Work With Us
We believe that each unique team member fuels the creativity necessary to build the world’s best propulsion systems. This is realized as a deeply held commitment to celebrating individuality, hiring talent across all backgrounds and experiences, building a culture of inclusion, and constantly challenging ourselves to improve.
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Ursa Major Offices
OnSite Workspace
Most employees work on-site with some positions allowing hybrid and/or remote work.
