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 Senior Instrumentation & Controls Engineer to own sensor selection and implementation of automated control and data acquisition systems. To succeed in this role, you will need to develop deep understanding of processes across Ursa Major’s product lines. You will be highly collaborative with Manufacturing, Test, Quality, Safety, and product owners. The scope of work will be from benchtop test fixtures to facility-scale equipment.
The role will focus on developing industry leading production equipment utilizing the cRIO/PXI platforms as headless controllers and DAQ for high-speed applications. These systems will be integrated into Ursa Major’s SCADA and digital manufacturing layers. You will also develop LabVIEW programs to operate collaboratively with PLCs for validation and development activities.
Responsibilities:
- Be part of a team designing safety-first systems handling hazardous fluids, powders, and energetics mixtures, as well as high pressures and voltages
- Gain deep understanding of functional test requirements of propulsion subassemblies/components to deliver industry-leading production equipment
- Lead selection of instrumentation across a wide range of test applications and
- Lead development of headless-operating cRIO/PXI connected to SCADA layer and
- Lead development of LabVIEW programs that allows parallel operation & process validation with Siemens S7 PLCs and enable development operations.
- Participate in equipment development with consideration of product specifications, process requirements, layout complexity, cost, and lead-time limits
- Be hands-on during commissioning, working alongside engineers and technicians
- Generate documentation including operator manuals, and work instructions for operation, troubleshooting, and maintenance
- Contribute to internal production equipment standards and requirements documentation
- Implement networked communications standards to interconnect NI and Siemens hardware together and to the SCADA layer
Requirements:
- 5+ years of experience with test/process system design or related role
- BS degree or higher in an engineering field, Mechatronic/chemical/mechanical preferred (suitable experience may be substituted)
- Experience developing headless operating cRIO/PXI systems
- Experience LabVIEW programs integrating non-NI hardware
- Ability to communicate effectively, both written and verbal
- Ability to work flexibly in a fast-paced environment, collaborating with other functions and departments
- Demonstrated ability to balance requirements of multiple stakeholders and deliver projects on time
- Ability to perform physical tasks including standing for long periods, working on ladders, kneeling, crouching, working in tight spaces, lifting objects up to 25 lbs.
Preferred Experience:
- Demonstrated first-principals approach to instrumentation and process equipment
- Experience working with PLCs (Siemens S7 or other)
- Experience with Ignition SCADA & HMI
- Experience with OPCUA, EtherCat, Profinet, or similar
- Experience with continuous and batch process system design
- Experience in production within ISO 9001 or AS9100 certified organizations
- Experience creating electrical schematics in CAD (Eplan or similar)
- Experience creating P&ID (Eplan or similar)
- Experience designing and building industrial electrical control panels
- Experience designing and building high pressure fluid systems
- Experience with equipment validation, IQ, OQ, PQ, Gauge R&R, or other
- Familiarity with NFPA, NEC, ASME piping codes, and other related standards
Colorado law requires us to tell you the base compensation range of this role, which is $116,000 - $145,000, 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
- 5+ years of experience with test or process system design, or a related role
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in engineering; mechatronic, chemical, or mechanical engineering preferred. Suitable experience may be substituted.
- Experience developing headless-operating cRIO/PXI systems
- Experience developing LabVIEW programs integrating non-NI hardware
- Effective written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work flexibly in a fast-paced environment and collaborate across functions and departments
- Ability to balance multiple stakeholder requirements and deliver projects on time
- Ability to stand for long periods, work on ladders, kneel, crouch, work in tight spaces, and lift up to 25 pounds
- Must be a U.S. Person, including U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents
- Eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance
- First-principles approach to instrumentation and process equipment
- Experience working with PLCs, including Siemens S7 or other PLCs
- Experience with Ignition SCADA and HMI
- Experience with OPC UA, EtherCAT, PROFINET, or similar communications technologies
- Experience with continuous and batch process system design
- Experience in ISO 9001 or AS9100 certified production organizations
- Experience creating electrical schematics in CAD, such as EPLAN
- Experience creating P&IDs using EPLAN or similar tools
- Experience designing and building industrial electrical control panels
- Experience designing and building high-pressure fluid systems
- Experience with equipment validation, IQ, OQ, PQ, Gauge R&R, or similar methods
- Familiarity with NFPA, NEC, ASME piping codes, and related standards
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.
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Ursa Major Offices
OnSite Workspace
Most employees work on-site with some positions allowing hybrid and/or remote work.
