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.
The Senior Legal Counsel will serve as a strategic business partner and trusted advisor to business functions across Ursa Major, independently managing high-stakes legal matters while proactively mitigating risk and enabling business objectives. Reporting directly to the General Counsel, this role requires a legal professional with excellent judgement, advanced problem-solving skills, and business acumen. This position is based in our Berthoud, Colorado office as a hybrid role.
Key Responsibilities
- Advise executive leadership and senior stakeholders on a wide range of legal, regulatory, and business matters across all aspects of the organization.
- Provide strategic guidance on government contracting requirements and other regulatory obligations for the aerospace and defense industry, including FAR/DFARS compliance, compliance with export control laws, and other complex regulatory regimes.
- Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of complex contracts and agreements, including supplier contracts, licensing agreements, joint venture agreements, strategic partnerships, leases, and other real estate contracts.
- Oversee the company’s intellectual property portfolio, including developing and implementing a comprehensive intellectual property protection strategy.
- Serve as a strategic advisor on employment law matters and complex HR initiatives, as well as serving as the legal advisor to the company’s ethics and internal investigation program
- Support corporate transactions, including M&A and other strategic business transactions, providing comprehensive legal oversight from due diligence through integration.
- Lead company investigations, dispute resolution initiatives, and litigation matters.
- Develop, implement, and continuously improve company-wide policies and procedures and training programs to ensure legal and regulatory compliance.
- Manage outside counsel and control legal spend consistent with the department budget.
- Champion a culture of ethics and integrity across the organization.
Qualifications
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school and active bar membership in good standing.
- 10+ years of progressive legal experience, with a combination of in-house and law firm experience strongly preferred.
- Exceptional analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to manage multiple high-priority matters in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
- Outstanding attention to detail, particularly in drafting and reviewing complex legal documents.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to translate legal concepts into practical business guidance.
- Strong business acumen with demonstrated ability to balance legal risk against commercial objectives.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
- Aerospace, defense, or other heavily-regulated industry experience.
Colorado law requires us to tell you the base compensation range of this role, which is $200,000 - $230,000, 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
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school
- Active bar membership in good standing
- 10+ years of progressive legal experience
- Combination of in-house and law firm experience
- Experience with government contracting requirements, FAR/DFARS, and export control laws
- Experience in aerospace, defense, or other heavily-regulated industries
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance
- Must be a U.S. Person (U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident)
- Exceptional analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills
- Excellent written and oral communication skills and strong business acumen
- Outstanding attention to detail and ability to manage multiple high-priority matters
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.
