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 is seeking a Propulsion Engineer I (propulsion systems) to support the technical definition, integration, and execution of propulsion systems for hypersonic vehicles.
Ursa Major’s teams move fast and does 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 sits at the intersection of propulsion design, vehicle integration, systems engineering, and test, with ownership from early concept through flight demonstration and production transition.
The ideal candidate brings propulsion experience, strong systems thinking, and the ability to drive technical decisions in fast-paced, hardware-centric programs.
Key Responsibilities
- Clean sheet design and analysis of fluid & mechanical vehicle components including tanks, structures, feed systems, propellant management, and fluid systems
- Leverage first-principles engineering to drive design and technical decisions
- Support rapid development cycles of new designs and changing requirements including testing, data analysis and hands-on hardware work
- Design modifications of existing components and prototypes to increase performance, improve manufacturability or resolve limitations
- Support test planning and execution, including ground and flight test support
- Participate in failure investigations, nonconformance resolution, and continuous design improvement
- Assembly and testing of first article prototypes
- Collaborate with the manufacturing, analysis, and test teams to reduce part-to-part variation and discrepancies
- Work with other engineers at Ursa Major on topics including design of components, system sizing, component testing, and system-level architecture.
- Interface with customers and external partners during design reviews, technical interchange meetings (TIMs), and integrated product team (IPT) meetings
- Support manufacturing through design for manufacturability (DFM) and producibility considerations
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
- 1-3 years of experience in propulsion systems engineering or propulsion-focused vehicle development. Candidates with strong internship or project/academic club experience in related field are encouraged to apply.
- Demonstrated proficiency with computer aided design and drafting
- Knowledge of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing per ASME Y14.5
- Working knowledge of and hands-on experience with fluid, mechanical, and electrical systems
- Desire to take ownership and help wherever needed on the team
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and stay flexible based on customer demands and company priorities along with daily firefighting
- Excellent problem solving, task management, and communication skills
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering or related field
- Desire to take ownership of multiple projects at once
- 1+ years of Siemens NX CAD programs and Windchill PLM software
- Experience leading design reviews to communicate design decisions and trades. Well versed in documenting those reviews
- Experience in design and analysis of tanks, structures or fluids
- Coordination with analysis and lead engineers to quickly mature designs
- Demonstrated proficiency with basic principles of design for manufacturing
- Ability to make sound technical decisions under schedule and performance pressure
- Experience operating in ISO 9001 or AS9100 certified organizations
- Strong understanding of industry standards and requirements
- Demonstrated proficiency with fundamental manual or CNC machining equipment and processes (milling, turning)
- Experience with fluids, structural and thermal analysis using Ansys software
- 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 Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
- 1-3 years of experience in propulsion systems engineering or propulsion-focused vehicle development (internship/project experience considered)
- Demonstrated proficiency with computer aided design and drafting (CAD)
- Knowledge of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing per ASME Y14.5
- Working knowledge of and hands-on experience with fluid, mechanical, and electrical systems
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance
- Must be a U.S. Person (U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident)
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, flexibility with changing priorities, and strong problem solving, task management, and communication skills
- Desire to take ownership and help wherever needed on the team
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.
