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 Senior Ballistician will support the research, design, analysis, test, and evaluation efforts that define the performance of the next generation of SRM technologies. As a Senior Ballistician, you will provide technical analysis results, inputs to design & manufacturing, and deliver innovative solutions to the complex ballistic and energetic challenges facing the industry.
Key Responsibilities
- Perform ballistics analysis to meet programmatic requirements and inform/validate design
- Develop, refine, and validate computational methods and tools to predict and analyze propellant performance and rocket motor ballistic performance
- Perform test data review and be capable of drawing meaningful conclusions to influence future designs
- Assist in preparing and presenting technical ballistic results to government partners and customers with the ability to explain the results
- Support in the characterization, testing, and modeling of energetic materials
- Support rapid response failure investigations, failure analysis and facilitate production deviation closures to meet engineering requirements and mission objectives
- Collaborate with the systems, design, and manufacturing teams to ensure motor performance meets performance requirements while remaining manufacturable
- Organize/prepare/present major program efforts and findings to internal and external customers, including government and commercial entities
- Other duties as assigned
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field
- 4+ years of experience in Solid Rocket Motors, ballistics, or engineering design/analysis
- Demonstrated technical work experience in energetics performance analysis
- Experience with experimental design and data analysis
- Proficiency in CLWire, SPP, or similar ballistic analysis tools
- Familiarity with control theory and its application to engineering problems
- Experience working with cross-functional teams, interfacing with internal/external customers
- Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work in a fast-paced development environment
- This position requires that the employee be eligible and maintain eligibility for a Secret Clearance
Desired Experience
- Master’s degree in a relevant technical discipline
- Proficiency in Matlab, Python, C++, Fortran, or similar programming languages
- Hands-on experience with program/project work in applied R&D and/or production support
- Familiarity with combustion instability phenomena
- A strong background in fluid mechanics and/or compressible flow
Colorado law requires us to tell you the base compensation range of this role, which is $107,000 - $134,000, 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
- 4+ years of experience in solid rocket motors, ballistics, or engineering design and analysis
- Demonstrated technical work experience in energetics performance analysis
- Experience with experimental design and data analysis
- Proficiency in CLWire, SPP, or similar ballistic analysis tools
- Familiarity with control theory and its application to engineering problems
- Experience working with cross-functional teams and interfacing with internal and external customers
- Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work in a fast-paced development environment
- Eligibility to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance
- Master's degree in a relevant technical discipline
- Proficiency in MATLAB, Python, C++, Fortran, or similar programming languages
- Hands-on experience with program or project work in applied R&D or production support
- Familiarity with combustion instability phenomena
- Strong background in fluid mechanics or compressible flow
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.
Gallery
Ursa Major Offices
OnSite Workspace
Most employees work on-site with some positions allowing hybrid and/or remote work.
