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 Lead Manufacturing Mechanical Engineer to lead mechanical design, implementation, and maintenance of custom automated fluid test systems for Ursa Major’s propulsion manufacturing facilities. You will be highly collaborative with Technicians and Operators, Manufacturing, Quality, Safety, Controls, and Design Engineers.
This role will focus on developing fluid systems that enable safe, robust, and efficient propulsion manufacturing with a focus on operator usability. You will lead fluid system design including P&ID, flow calculations, packaging, and tube routing in CAD. The scope of designs will vary from ultra-low flow bench-top to more than 1000GPM functional qualification of propulsion elements. You will be responsible for designs that use vacuum and high-pressure fluids such as nitrogen, water, kerosene, cryogenics, and more.
Responsibilities:
- Lead mechanical design with a focus on fluid systems and instrumentation layout, plus structural framing and interface panel design
- Collect requirements from test engineers and product designers
- Draft system P&ID in collaboration with I&C engineers
- Perform system analysis including flow, pressure, safety factor and expected life using hand calculations and FEA where required
- Host design review sessions with Technicians, Operators, and Engineering to generate buy-in and ensure designs meet their needs
- Provide support to build operations by designing fixtures in CAD and commissioning them on the production floor
- Be hands-on during the build process, working alongside engineers, technicians, and operators
- Have a safety-first mindset when working around and designing hardware for fluids including kerosene, water, peroxide, oxygen, nitrogen, helium, and hydrogen with pressures up to 15,000 psi, as well as cryogenics
- Generate documentation including drawings, assembly and work instructions for operation and maintenance
Requirements:
- 5+ years of experience with test system design or related role
- BS degree or higher in an engineering field, Mechanical, Chemical, or Mechatronic preferred (suitable experience may be substituted)
- Experience designing and troubleshooting automated hydraulic and pneumatic systems
- Expertise in CAD (SolidWorks or other) and GD&T
- Familiarity with NFPA, NEC, ASME piping codes, and other related standards
- 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:
- Working knowledge and skilled with hand tools and able to fabricate and assemble to drawing specifications
- Expertise in Solidworks tube and cable routing
- Structural design experience for walkways & multi-point lifting
- Experience designing pneumatic proofing equipment including acoustic attenuation & shrapnel penetration calculations
- Experience designing hydraulic proofing equipment
- Experience designing industrial electrical control panels (Eplan or other)
- Experience building industrial electrical control panels
- Experience in production within ISO 9001 or AS9100 certified organizations
- Familiarity with FEA software (ANSYS preferred)
Colorado law requires us to tell you the base compensation range of this role, which is $106,000 - $132,000, 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
- 5+ years of experience with test system design or a related role
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in an engineering field; Mechanical, Chemical, or Mechatronic Engineering preferred; suitable experience may substitute
- Experience designing and troubleshooting automated hydraulic and pneumatic systems
- Expertise in CAD, such as SolidWorks
- Expertise with GD&T
- Familiarity with NFPA, NEC, ASME piping codes, and related standards
- Effective written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work flexibly in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment
- Ability to balance multiple stakeholder requirements and deliver projects on time
- Ability to perform physical tasks including prolonged standing, ladder work, kneeling, crouching, tight-space work, and lifting up to 25 pounds
- Knowledge of hand tools and ability to fabricate and assemble to drawing specifications
- Expertise in SolidWorks tube and cable routing
- Structural design experience for walkways and multi-point lifting
- Experience designing pneumatic proofing equipment, including acoustic attenuation and shrapnel penetration calculations
- Experience designing hydraulic proofing equipment
- Experience designing industrial electrical control panels using Eplan or similar software
- Experience building industrial electrical control panels
- Production experience in ISO 9001 or AS9100 certified organizations
- Familiarity with FEA software, preferably ANSYS
- Must be a U.S. Person, including U.S. citizens and permanent residents
- 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 structured with an unlimited PTO policy plus two companywide paid breaks (mid‑summer and year‑end), creating predictable downtime alongside flexibility. Company holidays and shutdowns are consistently highlighted across employer materials and third‑party profiles.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage is described as comprehensive, including medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, life/AD&D, and short‑term disability, with mental‑health resources also noted. These elements appear on the company’s careers page and are echoed by external listings.
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Parental & Family Support — Paid parental and adoptive leave are emphasized, alongside family supports such as an onsite Mother’s Room and company‑sponsored family events. External profiles characterize the parental offering as generous.
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.
