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.
Role Overview
The SMS Mission Engineer II will support the external success of SRM products that leave the Ursa Major campus (or other sub campuses). As a Mission Engineer, you will be planning and executing flight campaigns, motor qualification campaigns, offsite energetic material testing, motor integration, verification, and validation (IV&V). To support these missions, you will interface with various external industry partners, conducting hot fire motor/engine tests, participate in data reviews, support troubleshooting efforts related to motor/engine tests, drive rocket motor/engine test campaign success, and interface with all relevant internal disciplines to bring those expertise into the field all while advocating and protecting the Ursa Major brand and reputation when conducting operations in the field.
Key Responsibilities
- Serve as point of contact between Ursa Major and customer program manager/flight test lead
- Shape test objectives, oversee execution, interpret results, comply with test range requirements and communicate clear technical insights to customers
- Ensure execution of and compliance with test plans, qualification requirements and hardware work instructions developed by Ursa Major and customers while complying with external test range SOPs
- Generate and track program mission objectives/milestones and assist in the technical validation of program milestones and adherence of those objectives throughout the program lifecycle
- Support complex motor/engine operations, including test stand readiness, system checkouts, instrumentation troubleshooting, and field diagnostics
- Generate internal qualification test plans/procedures that follow the program qualification plan and comply with systems engineering to satisfy product requirements
- Obtain and provide data to SRM safety team for the generation of hazardous shipping documentation of SRM products (i.e.: IHC, FHC, EX) and facilitate the submission process
- Operate and modify launcher platform systems and understand how systems interact with ignition chain of motor/engine
- Support and assist the energetics team in the handling, planning, and execution of testing both on and offsite in support of energetic material classification testing
- Other duties as assigned
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field
- 1-3 years of mission operations, test engineer, or other relevant experience
- Ability to earn trust, build rapport and maintain positive and professional relationships with cross-functional stakeholders and customers
- Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work in a fast-paced development environment
- Working knowledge of and hands-on experience with electrical, fluid, and mechanical systems
- Willing to spend up to 50% of the year on travel for multi-week test and flight campaigns
Desired Experience
- Master’s degree in a relevant technical discipline
- Experience interfacing with DoD programs and partners
- Experience with hazardous operations and system safety
- Experience with qualification efforts on aerospace systems or DoD platforms
- SRM or other propulsion system design, development, or test
- Technical expertise in liquid and/or solid rocket motor/engine manufacturing, integration, or test
- Ability to be eligible and maintain eligibility for a Secret Clearance
Colorado law requires us to tell you the base compensation range of this role, which is $88,000 - $110,000, 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 in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field
- 1-3 years of mission operations, test engineering, or other relevant experience
- Ability to earn trust, build rapport, and maintain professional relationships with cross-functional stakeholders and customers
- Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work in a fast-paced development environment
- Working knowledge of and hands-on experience with electrical, fluid, and mechanical systems
- Willingness to travel up to 50% of the year for multi-week test and flight campaigns
- Must be a U.S. Person (U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident)
- Eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance
- Master's degree in a relevant technical discipline
- Experience interfacing with DoD programs and partners
- Experience with hazardous operations and system safety
- Experience with qualification efforts on aerospace systems or DoD platforms
- SRM or other propulsion system design, development, or test experience
- Technical expertise in liquid and/or solid rocket motor/engine manufacturing, integration, or test
- Ability to be eligible and maintain eligibility for a Secret Clearance
What the Team is Saying
Ursa Major Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Unlimited PTO combined with company‑wide holiday closures (around July 4 and year‑end) creates meaningful, predictable downtime. These practices stand out for hardware‑centric teams that typically face on‑site demands.
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Healthcare Strength — Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage is highlighted alongside mental health support and tax‑advantaged accounts. Employer‑paid disability and life/AD&D further strengthen the core health and protection package.
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Parental & Family Support — Paid parental and adoptive leave, family medical leave, and onsite facilities signal a family‑supportive approach. Company‑sponsored family events and resources enhance the overall support environment.
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.
