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 solid rocket motor (SRM) team is hiring a multiple Senior Design Engineers to support the design, development, and qualification of solid rocket motor primary structures (motor cases) and key secondary structures. This role has substantial technical responsibility and autonomy, with support from subject matter experts where needed.
You will be a key contributor to SRM design at Ursa Major, leading composite or metallic case design, owning key structural interfaces, and executing structural test campaigns. You’ll help refine the design methods, standards, and processes that enable scalable, high‑rate production of solid rocket motors.
This isn't purely a desk job. You’ll be expected to be on the build floor working with technicians, integrating hardware, and resolving build issues in real time. Our engineers work across a variety of programs and roles, so you’ll have the opportunity to contribute beyond your title and take on new challenges as they arise.
What You’ll Do
- Lead the design of composite or metallic rocket motor cases and interfacing structures (e.g., attachment points, skirts, fin clips/rails) with minimal guidance from subject matter experts.
- Translate customer and program requirements into robust, manufacturable designs that meet performance, reliability, cost, and schedule targets.
- Execute design trades across materials, composite layups, manufacturing processes, and structural configurations.
- Plan and support development test campaigns to derisk new concepts and mature them into qualified products.
- Review test data and post-test hardware to verify performance against predictions, identify anomalies, and drive design or process changes when needed.
- Provide hands-on support during builds and tests by integrating hardware, resolving build issues in real time, and closing the loop between design and manufacturing.
- Drive cross-functional collaboration with analysis, manufacturing, test, systems, and supply chain teams to ensure case designs meet all stakeholder needs.
- Develop and maintain project schedules, identifying key risks early and working with technical leads to implement mitigation plans.
- Generate and review CAD models and engineering drawings in accordance with internal standards and ASME Y14.5‑2009/2018.
- Maintain clear, organized technical documentation including requirements, design reviews, test plans and reports, and verification/validation evidence.
- Provide day-to-day technical guidance to junior engineers, contributing to the team’s growth in structural design, materials, and manufacturing.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field.
- Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience with rocket motors, solid propulsion elements, pressure vessels, or high-performance structural components and assemblies.
- Ability to execute clean-sheet rocket motor case designs, including initial structural analyses to inform geometry, materials, and sizing.
- Proficiency with CAD and engineering analysis tools (e.g., structural/FEA, pressure vessel analysis, basic thermal analysis).
- Strong engineering fundamentals, including in-depth knowledge of structural mechanics, materials, and stress analysis; familiarity with thermodynamics and fluid dynamics as they relate to solid rocket motor design.
- Ability to work autonomously within a defined scope, while knowing when to pull in subject matter experts or technical leads.
- Clear, effective written and verbal communication skills for cross functional collaboration, design reviews, customer discussions, and documentation.
- Eligibility for a U.S. DoD Secret Clearance is required and maintaining that eligibility is a condition of employment.
Desired Experience
- Master’s degree or PhD in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related technical discipline.
- Experience designing for, and working with, elastomeric materials (e.g., seals, boots, liners, vibration isolation).
- Experience supporting insensitive munitions testing and product qualification for solid rocket motors or related systems.
- Hands‑on involvement in rapid product development environments (prototype-heavy, fast‑iteration programs).
- Experience designing hardware for high-rate, automated production, including design for manufacturing/assembly and process automation.
- Familiarity with composite material design and manufacturing (i.e., flat panels, filament wound structures).
- Familiarity with high-strength metallic alloys and associated forming and joining methods.
- Proficiency with Siemens NX (CAD) and Ansys (FEA) tools.
- Active DoD Secret Clearance or higher.
Colorado law requires us to tell you the base compensation range of this role, which is $105,840 - $132,300, 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
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 a related field
- 5+ years of relevant experience
- Relevant experience with rocket motors, solid propulsion elements, and structural interfaces
- Proficiency with computer-aided design and analysis tools
- Strong understanding of design for metal additive manufacturing, including material and process limitations
- In-depth knowledge of thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, and structural mechanics
- Effective communication skills for cross-functional collaboration, presentations, and documentation
- Understanding of insensitive munitions protocols and practices used in solid rocket motor design
- Eligibility to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance
- Master's degree or PhD in a technical discipline such as mechanical or aerospace engineering
- Experience conducting insensitive munitions testing and product qualification
- Hands-on experience supporting rapid product development
- Experience designing hardware for high-rate production using automated processes
- Familiarity with composite overwrap and filament winding design and analysis
- Experience with Siemens NX and Ansys software packages
- DoD Secret security clearance or higher
What the Team is Saying
Ursa Major Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time off is broad, combining unlimited PTO with two company‑wide shutdown weeks in July and at year‑end that help ensure employees disconnect.
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Healthcare Strength — Core coverage appears comprehensive, with medical, dental, and vision plus HSA/FSA, employer‑paid disability, life, AD&D, and EAP; some listings also cite optional add‑ons such as pet insurance.
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Parental & Family Support — Paid parental and adoptive leave is highlighted across official and third‑party materials as a notable strength.
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.
