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.
As a Lead Avionics Engineer at Ursa Major, you will be responsible for leading the design, development, and deployment of avionics systems tailored for in-space applications, including satellites and spacecraft. This role combines technical expertise with leadership, requiring hands-on development alongside mentoring and managing a small team of engineers. You will guide the team in building robust, flight-ready electronics and software, ensuring mission success in the challenging environment of space.
Responsibilities:
- Lead a team of engineers, providing mentorship, technical guidance, and career development opportunities to ensure team success in achieving project milestones.
- Oversee hardware design, including board layout, circuit design, harnessing, and enclosure development, with a focus on in-space reliability.
- Develop and manage component-level qualification and acceptance test plans for satellite and spacecraft avionics systems.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define avionics requirements, scope projects, and contribute to system-level design decisions.
- Support hiring efforts and team expansion, ensuring the group is equipped to meet future program needs.
- Establish and maintain avionics development processes, including quality control and documentation standards.
- Act as a technical point of contact for customer inquiries related to avionics design, quality, and risks.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in Electrical, Aerospace, Software, or Systems Engineering.
- 8+ years of experience in avionics design and development, with a focus on spacecraft or satellite systems.
- Expertise in electronics development, including schematic design, PCB layout, and hardware debugging.
- Experience with embedded software development for flight or spacecraft systems.
- Familiarity with aerospace-grade qualification standards for hardware and software.
- Proven ability to lead a team, including mentoring and task prioritization.
- Demonstrated experience with HIL testing and validation processes.
- Strong problem-solving skills and a track record of successful root-cause analysis.
Desired Experience:
- Hands-on experience developing avionics systems for in-space applications, including satellite subsystems, propulsion systems, or payload electronics.
- Knowledge of radiation-tolerant electronics design and testing for space environments.
- Experience transitioning avionics hardware from prototype to flight-ready production.
- Familiarity with industry standards such as ECSS, NASA GEVS, or MIL-STD-461/810.
- Proficiency in embedded software development, including real-time operating systems (RTOS) or Linux-based systems.
- Demonstrated success as a project or team lead across multiple programs.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including customer-facing interactions.
- Experience in hiring and building high-performing teams in a startup or small-company environment.
Colorado law requires us to tell you the base compensation range of this role, which is $125,000- $160,000, determined by your education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities. The salary range for this role is intentionally wide as we are evaluating individuals based on their unique experience and abilities to fit our needs. Most importantly, we are excited to meet you, and see if you are a great fit for our team. What we can’t quantify for you are the exciting challenges, supportive team, and amazing culture we enjoy.
Benefits Include:
- 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 - Traditional 401(k) and a Roth 401(k)
- Equity Grants in the Company
NOTE: Research suggests that women and BIPOC individuals may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage anyone who believes they have the skills and the drive necessary to succeed here to apply for this role.
US CITIZENSHIP, PERMANENT RESIDENCY, REFUGEE OR ASYLUM STATUS IS REQUIRED.
We’re an equal-opportunity employer. You will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.
No outside recruiters, please.
Top Skills
What the Team is Saying
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What We Do
At Ursa Major, we are powering the future of aerospace. We see aerospace advancement as a technological imperative and we’re accelerating the industry as the leading source of world-class propulsion systems.
We meticulously design, craft, and test engines that are optimized to offer high performance, diverse capability, and unwavering reliability.
Why Work With Us
As much as we value talent, we know that it’s meaningless without the drive, humility, and hunger to work on a team. A team shares a common goal and obsesses about achieving it together. This requires leaving egos at the door and committing to do whatever’s required (within reason) to achieve mission success.
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Ursa Major Offices
Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
