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 is seeking a Senior Propulsion Engineer, Tanks to lead the technical definition, integration, and execution of propulsion systems and take ownership of tank architecture from ideation to qualification.
The ideal candidate brings deep propulsion experience, strong systems thinking, and the ability to drive technical decisions in fast-paced, hardware-centric programs.
Key Responsibilities
- Complete ownership of tank architecture from ideation to qualification
- Clean sheet design of fluid & mechanical tank systems
- Support rapid development cycles of new designs and changing requirements including testing, data analysis and hands-on hardware work
- Collaborate with the manufacturing, analysis, and test teams to optimize performance, meet requirements and reduce part-to-part variation
- Assemble and test first article prototypes
- Lead propulsion subsystem architecture and requirements definition for hypersonic vehicles
- Own trades, performance margins, and integration decisions
- Serve as the technical authority for tanks and interfaces with vehicle structures, thermal and mission engineering
- Collaborate closely with vehicle and systems engineers to ensure mission and performance alignment
- Support ground test and flight test planning, execution, and post-test data analysis
- Identify system risks and drive mitigation strategies across design, manufacturing, and test
- Provide technical leadership and mentorship to early- and mid-career engineers
- Support customer technical reviews, design reviews, and technical interchange meetings
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
- 5-8+ years of experience in propulsion systems engineering or propulsion-focused vehicle development
- Demonstrated experience supporting hypersonic, missile, or high-performance aerospace vehicles
- Strong understanding of propulsion system architecture and integration, vehicle-level performance and propulsion impacts
- Experience working across disciplines in a systems engineering environment
- Demonstrated proficiency with computer aided design and drafting
- Experience with geometric dimensioning and tolerancing per ASME Y14.5
- Working knowledge of and hands-on experience with fluid, mechanical, and electrical systems
- Strong understanding of industry standards and requirements
- Desire to take ownership and help wherever needed on the team
- Able to delegate tasks and lead large project scope
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and stay flexible based on customer demands and company priorities along with daily firefighting
- Ability to make sound technical decisions under schedule and performance pressure
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering or related field
- Experience with hypersonic propulsion architectures (e.g., SRM, liquid rocket, advanced boost systems)
- Experience supporting flight test or demonstration programs
- Familiarity with thermal, structural, and aero integration challenges in hypersonic regimes
- Experience in analysis of fluids systems
- Experience operating in ISO 9001 or AS9100 certified organizations
- Experience with AIAA S-080 or SMC-S-016 Test Requirements
- Experience with fluids, structural and thermal analysis using Ansys software
- 3+ years of PTC Creo or Siemens NX CAD programs and Windchill PLM software
- Prior experience serving as a technical lead or subsystem owner
Colorado law requires us to tell you the base compensation range of this role, which is $125,000 - $150,000, 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
- Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field
- 5-8+ years of experience in propulsion systems engineering or propulsion-focused vehicle development
- Experience supporting hypersonic, missile, or high-performance aerospace vehicles
- Strong understanding of propulsion system architecture, integration, vehicle-level performance, and propulsion impacts
- Experience working across disciplines in a systems engineering environment
- Proficiency with computer-aided design and drafting
- Experience with geometric dimensioning and tolerancing per ASME Y14.5
- Working knowledge and hands-on experience with fluid, mechanical, and electrical systems
- Strong understanding of industry standards and requirements
- Ability to take ownership, delegate tasks, and lead large project scopes
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and adapt to customer demands and company priorities
- Ability to make sound technical decisions under schedule and performance pressure
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance
- Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering or a related field
- Experience with hypersonic propulsion architectures, such as solid rocket motors, liquid rockets, or advanced boost systems
- Experience supporting flight test or demonstration programs
- Familiarity with thermal, structural, and aerodynamic integration challenges in hypersonic regimes
- Experience analyzing fluid systems
- Experience in ISO 9001 or AS9100 certified organizations
- Experience with AIAA S-080 or SMC-S-016 test requirements
- Experience using Ansys for fluids, structural, and thermal analysis
- 3+ years of experience with PTC Creo or Siemens NX and Windchill PLM
- Prior experience serving as a technical lead or subsystem owner
What the Team is Saying
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.
