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.
We are seeking a Controls Engineer II (PLC) to help drive the design, delivery, and maintenance of custom automated equipment and facilities. Integration of motion systems, instruments, and devices across Ursa Major’s propulsion production manufacturing facility will be key. To succeed in this role, you will need to develop deep understanding of both personnel-operated and unattended processes involving hazardous materials and operations. You will be highly collaborative with Manufacturing, Test, Quality, Safety, and product owners. The scope of work will be from benchtop test fixtures to facility-scale equipment, and multi-campus monitoring.
The role will focus on developing new production equipment & infrastructure with PLC program, electrical schematics, instrumentation, and P&ID design from concept through to validation. You will implement solutions that enable safe, robust, and efficient propulsion production.
Responsibilities:
- Be part of a team designing safety-first systems handling hazardous fluids, powders, and energetics mixtures, as well as high pressures and voltages
- Gain deep understanding of functional test requirements of propulsion subassemblies/components to deliver industry-leading production equipment
- Operate as a controls stakeholder throughout conceptualization, specification, design, build, deployment and validation of automated production equipment, integrated into Ursa Major’s digital manufacturing environment
- Participate in equipment development with consideration of product specifications, process requirements, layout complexity, cost, and lead-time limits
- Integrate motion systems and 3rd party solutions to Ursa Major control platforms
- Integrate PLC based equipment into SCADA layer
- Be hands-on during commissioning, working alongside engineers and technicians
- Generate documentation including electrical schematics, P&ID, operator manuals, and work instructions for operation, troubleshooting, and maintenance
- Contribute to internal production equipment standards and requirements documentation
Requirements:
- BS degree or higher in an engineering field, Mechatronic/chemical/mechanical preferred (suitable experience may be substituted)
- Experience designing single/multi-axis, custom designed motion systems
- Experience with test/process system design or related role
- Experience working with PLCs (Siemens S7 or other)
- Experience developing systems for personnel-operated and unattended equipment
- Ability to communicate effectively, both written and verbal
- Ability to work flexibly in a fast-paced environment, collaborating with other functions and departments
- Demonstrated ability to balance requirements of multiple stakeholders and deliver projects on time
- Ability to perform physical tasks including standing for long periods, working on ladders, kneeling, crouching, working in tight spaces, lifting objects up to 25 lbs.
Preferred Experience:
- Demonstrated first-principals approach to instrumentation and process equipment
- Experience with building automation and data acquisition
- Experience with continuous and batch process system design
- Experience in production within ISO 9001 or AS9100 certified organizations
- Experience with Ignition SCADA & HMI
- Experience with machine network design & industrial communications
- Experience designing industrial electrical control panels (Eplan or other)
- Experience building industrial electrical control panels
- Experience designing and building high pressure fluid systems
- Familiarity with NFPA, NEC, ASME piping codes, and other related standards
- Experience performing Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), LOPA, and System Safety and Hazards Analysis
- Experience with equipment validation, IQ, OQ, PQ, Gauge R&R, or other
Colorado law requires us to tell you the base compensation range of this role, which is $90,000 - $113,000, 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
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in engineering, preferably mechatronic, chemical, or mechanical engineering; suitable experience may substitute.
- Experience designing single-axis or multi-axis custom motion systems.
- Experience with test or process system design, or a related role.
- Experience working with PLCs, including Siemens S7 or similar systems.
- Experience developing personnel-operated and unattended equipment.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to collaborate across functions in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to balance multiple stakeholder requirements and deliver projects on time.
- Ability to perform physical tasks including standing, ladder work, kneeling, crouching, working in tight spaces, and lifting up to 25 pounds.
- First-principles approach to instrumentation and process equipment.
- Experience with building automation and data acquisition.
- Experience with continuous and batch process system design.
- Production experience in ISO 9001 or AS9100 certified organizations.
- Experience with Ignition SCADA and HMI.
- Experience with machine network design and industrial communications.
- Experience designing industrial electrical control panels using EPLAN or similar software.
- Experience building industrial electrical control panels.
- Experience designing and building high-pressure fluid systems.
- Familiarity with NFPA, NEC, ASME piping codes, and related standards.
- Experience performing FMEA, LOPA, and system safety and hazards analyses.
- Experience with equipment validation, IQ, OQ, PQ, Gauge R&R, or similar methods.
- Must be a U.S. Person, defined as a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
- Eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance.
What the Team is Saying
Ursa Major Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time off is characterized by unlimited PTO covering vacation, sick, personal, and bereavement, augmented by paid parental/adoptive leave and two company‑wide weeklong breaks. Company materials and third‑party benefits pages consistently highlight this breadth as a standout element.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage includes medical, dental, vision, and prescription plans plus employer‑paid short‑term disability, life insurance, and AD&D, with EAP and HSA/FSA noted on some postings. External benefits snapshots point to strong perceived coverage quality.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — Ownership is offered through stock options/equity grants alongside competitive pay. Third‑party employer listings repeatedly include equity as part of the standard package, signaling broad accessibility.
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.
