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.
Ursa Major’s teams move fast and do a lot with little. We are looking for a skilled, fast-learning individual who will serve as a central member of the team and take immediate ownership of their system as a responsible engineer. This role will be part of the technical organization, responsible for clean sheet designs as well as modification to a variety of propulsion hardware. All candidates will be expected to have ownership from the initial concept phase to a production-ready design and may need to support multiple programs simultaneously.
Primary Responsibilities
- Ownership of Engine Combustion Device Hardware (injectors, thrust chamber, nozzles, catalyst beds) through entire product lifecycle
- Design modifications of existing components and prototypes to increase performance, improve manufacturability, or resolve limitations
- Maintain and improve combustor performance models
- Collaborate with team members to write, review, and update work instructions for the assembly of components as well as establish appropriate acceptance and qualification tests
- Assembly and testing of first article prototypes
- Collaborate with the manufacturing, analysis, and test teams to reduce part-to-part variation and discrepancies
Qualifications:
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or related field
- Experience in design, test, or analysis of rocket engine injectors, chambers, or nozzles through club activity, internships, or full time work
- Fundamental understanding of closed-cycle rocket engine operating principles
- Proficiency with computer aided design and drafting
- Demonstrated ability to own hardware through the production lifecycle
- Working knowledge of and hands-on experience with fluid, mechanical, and electrical systems
- Desire to take ownership of multiple projects at once
- Excellent problem solving, task management, and communication skills
Desired Experience:
- Demonstrated proficiency with basic principles of design for additive manufacturing
- Coordination with analysis and lead engineers to quickly mature designs
- Experience leading and documenting design reviews to communicate design decisions and trades
- Experience designing, testing, and analyzing catalyst beds
- Experience with CFD and/or structural and thermal analysis using Ansys or equivalent
- Experience with Siemens NX CAD programs and Windchill PLM software
- Experience with geometric dimensioning and tolerancing per ASME Y14.5
- Strong understanding of industry standards and requirements
- Liquid propellant rocket engine design, test, or analysis
Colorado law requires us to tell you the base compensation range of this role, which is $80,000 - $100,000, 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 related field
- Experience in design, test, or analysis of rocket engine injectors, chambers, or nozzles (club activity, internships, or full time)
- Fundamental understanding of closed-cycle rocket engine operating principles
- Proficiency with computer aided design and drafting (CAD)
- Demonstrated ability to own hardware through the production lifecycle
- Working knowledge of and hands-on experience with fluid, mechanical, and electrical systems
- Desire to take ownership of multiple projects concurrently
- Excellent problem solving, task management, and communication skills
- U.S. Person (U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident)
- Eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance
- Demonstrated proficiency with design for additive manufacturing
- Experience leading and documenting design reviews
- Experience designing, testing, and analyzing catalyst beds
- Experience with CFD and/or structural and thermal analysis using Ansys or equivalent
- Experience with Siemens NX CAD and Windchill PLM software
- Experience with geometric dimensioning and tolerancing per ASME Y14.5
- Strong understanding of industry standards and requirements
- Liquid propellant rocket engine design, test, or analysis experience
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.
