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.
We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Ordnance Engineer to join our propulsion engineering team. In this role, you will lead and support the design, development, qualification, and procurement of ordnance systems and components for advanced Solid Rocket Motor (SRM) applications. You will serve as the technical subject matter expert (SME) for ordnance components throughout the entire product lifecycle—from initial concept definition through flight qualification and production support.
The ideal candidate will have deep technical expertise in initiators, ignition systems, safe-and-arm devices, flight/thrust termination systems, and stage separation mechanisms.
Primary Responsibilities
- Component Design & Development: Lead the engineering lifecycle of energetic ordnance components, including electro-explosive devices (EEDs), igniters, electronic and mechanical safe-and-arm devices (SADs/ESADs, EISDs), exploding foil devices (LEEFIs) and exploding bridgewire (EBW) systems.
- Separation & Termination Systems: Design, analyze, and integrate ordnance subcomponents, including Linear Shaped Charges (LSC) for flight termination (FTS) or thrust termination, as well as exploding bolts, frangible nuts, and pin pullers for stage separation.
- Subcontractor & Procurement Technical Management: Author technical procurement specifications, Statements of Work (SOW), and Interface Control Documents (ICDs). Serve as the primary technical interface to ordnance sub-tier suppliers, ensuring compliance with rigorous aerospace standards.
- Testing & Qualification: Author test plans, procedures, and reports for component-level and system-level ordnance testing. Oversee environmental testing (vibration, shock, thermal vacuum) and energetic firing tests.
- Failure Investigation & Risk Analysis: Lead Root Cause and Corrective Action (RCCA) investigations for ordnance manufacturing anomalies or test failures. Perform Failure Modes, Effects, and Criticality Analysis (FMECA).
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Systems Engineering, Integration & Test, Safety, Quality Assurance, and programmatic teams to ensure seamless system integration and safety compliance.
Basic Qualifications
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related STEM discipline.
- Experience: Minimum of 5+ years of direct experience in aerospace ordnance, energetic materials, or rocket motor ignition systems (Level/Title can be adjusted based on experience).
- Technical Standards: Working knowledge of industry standards such as MIL-STD-1901, MIL-STD-1576, MIL-DTL-23659, and RCC 319 (Range Safety User Requirements).
- Security: Must be a U.S. Citizen with the ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Defense (DoD) Secret Security Clearance.
Preferred Qualifications
- Active DoD Secret or Top Secret Clearance.
- Experience with both hot-gas ignition systems and pyrotechnic ignition strings for large-scale solid rocket motors.
- Strong familiarity with High-Voltage Detonators (EBW/EFI)
- Experience presenting at formal design reviews (CoDR, PDR, CDR) to internal leadership and military customers (e.g., MDA, US Navy, US Air Force, US Space Force, etc).
Colorado law requires us to tell you the base compensation range of this role, which is $120,720 - $150,900, 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, Chemical Engineering, or a related STEM discipline
- At least 5 years of direct experience in aerospace ordnance, energetic materials, or rocket motor ignition systems
- Working knowledge of MIL-STD-1901, MIL-STD-1576, MIL-DTL-23659, and RCC 319
- Must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. Person, including U.S. Permanent Residents
- Ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Defense Secret Security Clearance
- Active DoD Secret or Top Secret Clearance
- Experience with hot-gas ignition systems and pyrotechnic ignition strings for large-scale solid rocket motors
- Strong familiarity with high-voltage detonators, including EBW and EFI
- Experience presenting at formal design reviews such as CoDR, PDR, and CDR
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.
