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.
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 Ursa Major continues to scale the development and production of solid rocket motors, accurate material characterization, in-process testing, and final product verification are essential to ensuring safe and repeatable performance. The Energetics Quality Specialist will provide hands-on quality support throughout the energetics manufacturing process, from incoming raw-material acceptance through propellant testing and final motor inspection.
Reporting to the Quality Control Manager, this individual will execute established laboratory and inspection methods, operate specialized test equipment, evaluate results against defined requirements, and maintain traceability between raw materials, test samples, production batches, and completed hardware. The Energetics Quality Specialist will also identify and document nonconforming conditions, support batch-record and End Item Data Package completion, and ensure quality data is accurate and available when needed to support manufacturing decisions.
Responsibilities:
- Perform incoming and periodic reacceptance testing of binder/polymer and other chemicals in accordance with approved specifications and test procedures.
- Conduct laboratory testing including titrations, viscosity measurements, moisture analysis, antioxidant-content testing, particle-size analysis, and other chemical or physical-property evaluations.
- Perform lot-acceptance testing of raw materials
- Collect, identify, prepare, condition, and test samples generated during propellant mixing, casting, curing, and related manufacturing operations.
- Operate a parallel-plate rheometer and collect viscosity data during applicable mix and cast operations.
- Perform tensile, pull, and other mechanical-property testing using an Instron or similar universal testing machine.
- Evaluate peel-channel or bond-test specimens used to assess adhesion, cure, crosslinking, or other specified material characteristics.
- Operate a Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer in accordance with approved test methods.
- Prepare test equipment and hardware for small scale asset testing and safely conduct motor firings within established training and authorization requirements.
- Verify test configuration, instrumentation, sample or article identification, and data-acquisition readiness before testing.
- Review laboratory test results for completeness, validity, and conformance to established requirements.
- Perform resistance and continuity checks on initiators and completed motor assemblies using approved equipment and procedures.
- Perform final visual inspections of completed motor assemblies for external damage, workmanship defects, assembly failures, contamination, identification issues, and other visible nonconformances.
- Review batch reports, manufacturing records, inspection results, and test documentation for completeness, accuracy, and traceability.
- Prepare and compile End Item Data Packages for completed motor assemblies.
- Initiate Discrepancy Reports for engineering evaluation and disposition as needed.
- Escalate abnormal, inconsistent, or invalid test results to Quality Engineering, Energetics Engineering, Manufacturing, or other appropriate stakeholders.
- Maintain laboratory and test equipment in a clean, organized, and inspection-ready condition.
- Support equipment calibration, preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair coordination.
- Safely move and stage samples, test articles, completed motors, compressed-gas cylinders, and associated equipment.
- Maintain laboratory consumables, test supplies, sample containers, and routine inventory.
- Follow all applicable requirements for energetic-material handling, chemical safety, electrostatic-discharge control, grounding, personal protective equipment, hazardous operations, waste handling, and contamination prevention.
- Support laboratory housekeeping, cleaning, material movement, and 5S activities.
- Other duties as assigned by Quality Management.
Required Qualifications:
- Three or more years of relevant experience in laboratory testing, materials testing, chemical processing, energetic-material manufacturing, aerospace manufacturing, or manufacturing quality.
- Demonstrated ability to execute detailed inspection and test procedures accurately and consistently.
- Experience with technical laboratory equipment including: mechanical, thermal, and optical instrumentation.
- Ability to read and interpret technical specifications, work instructions, acceptance criteria, and manufacturing documentation.
- Strong attention to detail and the ability to maintain accurate material, sample, batch, and serialized-product traceability.
- Ability to recognize questionable or nonconforming results and clearly document observed conditions.
- Experience reviewing production, inspection, laboratory, or quality records for completeness and accuracy.
- Ability to work collaboratively with Manufacturing, Quality, Engineering, and Test personnel in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to work safely around chemicals, energetic materials, specialized test equipment, and production hardware.
- Ability to perform the physical handling, equipment cleaning, housekeeping, and material-movement responsibilities associated with the role.
- Willingness to complete all required training and maintain authorization for assigned energetic-material and test operations.
Desired Experience:
- Associate or bachelor’s degree in chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering technology, laboratory science, or a related technical field.
- Experience working with solid propellants, energetic materials, pyrotechnics, explosives, or solid rocket motor production.
- Experience with analytic laboratory test equipment.
- Experience conducting resistance or continuity testing on energetics or aerospace assemblies.
- Experience performing final inspection of aerospace, defense, or propulsion hardware.
- Experience reviewing batch records and preparing End Item Data Packages.
- Experience initiating or supporting nonconformance and discrepancy documentation.
- Experience working within an AS9100, ISO 9001, or similarly controlled quality-management system.
Work Environment:
- The position involves working in office, test facilities, and laboratories which may include exposure to hazardous materials and conditions. Strict adherence to safety protocols and procedures is mandatory.
Colorado law requires us to tell you the base compensation range of this role, which is $78,880 - $98,600, 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
- Three or more years of relevant experience in laboratory testing, materials testing, chemical processing, energetic-material manufacturing, aerospace manufacturing, or manufacturing quality.
- Ability to execute detailed inspection and test procedures accurately and consistently.
- Experience with mechanical, thermal, and optical laboratory instrumentation.
- Ability to read and interpret technical specifications, work instructions, acceptance criteria, and manufacturing documentation.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate material, sample, batch, and serialized-product traceability.
- Ability to recognize questionable or nonconforming results and clearly document observed conditions.
- Experience reviewing production, inspection, laboratory, or quality records for completeness and accuracy.
- Ability to collaborate with Manufacturing, Quality, Engineering, and Test personnel in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to work safely around chemicals, energetic materials, specialized test equipment, and production hardware.
- Ability to perform physical handling, equipment cleaning, housekeeping, and material-movement responsibilities.
- Willingness to complete required training and maintain authorization for assigned energetic-material and test operations.
- Associate or bachelor's degree in chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering technology, laboratory science, or a related technical field.
- Experience with solid propellants, energetic materials, pyrotechnics, explosives, or solid rocket motor production.
- Experience with analytical laboratory test equipment.
- Experience conducting resistance or continuity testing on energetics or aerospace assemblies.
- Experience performing final inspection of aerospace, defense, or propulsion hardware.
- Experience reviewing batch records and preparing End Item Data Packages.
- Experience initiating or supporting nonconformance and discrepancy documentation.
- Experience working within an AS9100, ISO 9001, or similarly controlled quality-management system.
- Must be a U.S. Person, including a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident.
- 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 characterized by unlimited PTO covering vacation, sick, personal, and bereavement, augmented by paid parental/adoptive leave and two company‑wide weeklong breaks. Company materials and third‑party benefits pages consistently highlight this breadth as a standout element.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage includes medical, dental, vision, and prescription plans plus employer‑paid short‑term disability, life insurance, and AD&D, with EAP and HSA/FSA noted on some postings. External benefits snapshots point to strong perceived coverage quality.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — Ownership is offered through stock options/equity grants alongside competitive pay. Third‑party employer listings repeatedly include equity as part of the standard package, signaling broad accessibility.
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.
