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 multiple Senior Design Engineers to support the design, development, and qualification of solid rocket motor thrust vector control (TVC) structures and mechanisms. This role has substantial technical responsibility and autonomy, with support from subject matter experts where needed.
You will be a key contributor for SRM TVC design at Ursa Major, developing TVC architectures, leading mechanism and actuation system design, owning key interfaces, and executing TVC test campaigns. You’ll help refine the design methods, standards, and processes that enable scalable, high‑rate production of reliable SRM TVC systems.
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
- Own the design of SRM TVC systems and related components (e.g., flexible joints, gimbal/actuator mechanisms, jet tabs/vanes, liquid/hot‑gas injection hardware, mounts, and structural interfaces).
- Translate customer requirements and mission needs into robust, manufacturable TVC designs that meet performance, reliability, cost, and schedule targets.
- Execute design trades across TVC architectures, actuator types, materials, and manufacturing processes.
- Help define and allocate TVC design and performance requirements and ensure designs meet flight‑control and structural needs.
- Plan and support test campaigns from component-level through full‑scale joint actuation tests and integrated static‑fire TVC demonstrations to de‑risk new concepts and qualify systems.
- Review test data and post‑test hardware to verify performance against predictions, identify anomalies, and drive design or process changes.
- Provide hands‑on support for prototype assembly and test, including troubleshooting mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and integration issues on the build floor.
- Drive cross-functional collaboration with analysis, manufacturing, test, systems, and supply chain teams to ensure nozzle designs meet all stakeholder needs.
- Maintain aggressive but realistic 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 nozzle design, materials, and manufacturing.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or a related field.
- Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience with thrust vector control systems, precision electromechanical mechanisms, rocket propulsion hardware, or closely related flight‑control actuation systems.
- Experience with SRM TVC design, analysis, and integration into solid rocket motor architectures.
- Ability to execute TVC mechanism and actuation system designs, including first‑order sizing and kinematics/dynamics analyses (actuation torque, stiffness, backlash, friction, inertia, and response).
- Proficiency with CAD and engineering analysis tools (e.g., structural/FEA, kinematics/dynamics, basic thermal analysis; exposure to control/servo analysis and aero/jet flow analysis is a plus).
- Strong engineering fundamentals, including in‑depth knowledge of structural mechanics, dynamics, and actuators.
- Familiarity with thermodynamics and fluid dynamics as they relate to SRM performance, nozzle flow, and side‑force generation.
- 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, aerospace, electrical engineering, or a related technical discipline.
- Experience architecting and designing TVC actuation and mechanism systems, including motor/gearbox selection, load path definition, stiffness/backlash management, and fault‑tolerant configurations.
- Experience applying formal design criteria and recommended practices for SRM TVC from sources like NASA SP‑8114 or similar.
- Understanding of design for additive manufacturing, including material behavior and design constraints for metal additive processes used in TVC components (e.g., actuator housings, brackets, manifolds).
- Hands‑on involvement in rapid product development environments (prototype‑heavy, fast‑iteration programs).
- Experience designing hardware for high‑rate, automated production, including DFM/DFA and process automation.
- Experience with Siemens NX (CAD) and Ansys (FEA/structural, motion, or thermal) software packages.
- DoD Secret security 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, electrical engineering, or a related field
- At least 5 years of relevant experience with thrust vector control systems, precision electromechanical mechanisms, rocket propulsion hardware, or related flight-control actuation systems
- Experience with solid rocket motor thrust vector control design, analysis, and integration
- Ability to design TVC mechanisms and actuation systems, including first-order sizing and kinematics/dynamics analyses
- Proficiency with CAD and engineering analysis tools, including structural/FEA, kinematics/dynamics, and basic thermal analysis
- Strong fundamentals in structural mechanics, dynamics, and actuators
- Familiarity with thermodynamics and fluid dynamics related to solid rocket motor performance, nozzle flow, and side-force generation
- Clear written and verbal communication skills for collaboration, design reviews, customer discussions, and documentation
- Eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. DoD Secret Clearance
- Master's degree or PhD in mechanical, aerospace, electrical engineering, or a related technical discipline
- Experience architecting and designing TVC actuation and mechanism systems, including motor/gearbox selection, load paths, stiffness, backlash, and fault tolerance
- Experience applying formal SRM TVC design criteria such as NASA SP-8114
- Understanding of design for metal additive manufacturing and associated material behavior and constraints
- Hands-on experience in rapid, prototype-heavy product development environments
- Experience designing hardware for high-rate automated production, including DFM/DFA and process automation
- Experience with Siemens NX and Ansys software
- DoD Secret security clearance or higher
- Must be a U.S. Person, including U.S. citizens and permanent residents
What the Team is Saying
Ursa Major Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Unlimited PTO covering vacation, personal, sick, and bereavement leave is paired with paid company holidays and two weeklong company-wide shutdowns in July and at year-end. This structure provides guaranteed downtime in addition to flexible time off.
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Parental & Family Support — Paid parental and adoptive leave is explicitly included, and family-oriented supports are highlighted in company and third‑party materials. These inclusions signal meaningful coverage for growing families, though exact paid durations are not publicly specified.
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Healthcare Strength — Coverage spans medical, dental, vision, prescription drugs, HSA/FSA, and employer‑paid short‑ and long‑term disability, basic life, and AD&D. Health coverage breadth appears strong across official listings.
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.
