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.
This is an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated Senior System Safety Engineer to join Ursa Major, a leading aerospace company focused on cutting-edge propulsion systems. As a Senior System Safety Engineer, you will play a critical role in ensuring that our rocket engines and propulsion systems meet stringent safety and reliability standards.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Analyzing engineering hardware, mechanical and electrical schematics for fault tolerance, latent hazards, and compliance with safety requirements.
- Maintaining and evolving Ursa Explosive Safety Management Program (ESMP)
- Reviewing system test procedures, operational protocols, and maintenance procedures to ensure the implementation of appropriate safety controls.
- Collaborating across all engineering teams to mitigate hazards and ensure safety measures are embedded throughout the product lifecycle.
- Coordinating with program management and external regulatory bodies from program initiation through production, operations, and decommissioning.
- Oversee Ursa Major Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Training program
- Coordinating explosives training program in accordance with Federal, State, Local and Ursa Major specific requirements
Additional Key Responsibilities:
- Conduct System Safety Program or Design safety assessments.
- Lead safety initiatives for large-scale propulsion system safety programs or multiple mid-sized safety projects.
- Monitor the technical execution of safety requirements throughout the program.
- Act as a key interface with stakeholders including customers, regulatory authorities, subcontractors, and vendors.
- Prepare and present Safety Assessment Reports and Program Safety Briefs for both internal and external review.
- Lead safety discussions in technical reviews, ensuring alignment with the approval process.
- Participate and contribute to Safety Review Board
- Interpret and implement system requirements based on customer specifications and aerospace industry safety standards.
- Generate reports that document various safety analyses and system safety program findings.
- Collaborate with engineering teams to ensure a comprehensive understanding of product architecture, system integration, and design.
- Maintain ATF and CDLE company, individual and magazine permits and licenses
Qualifications You Must Have:
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM) with a minimum of 8 years of relevant Systems Engineering or Safety Engineering experience. A Master’s or advanced degree may reduce the years of required experience.
- Experience: Prior experience in System Safety Engineering, Systems Engineering, Explosive Safety, Software/Firmware Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or other Safety Engineering disciplines.
- Clearance: Ability to obtain and maintain U.S. government-issued security clearance.
- This is an on-site position splitting time between our facilities in Berthoud, Colorado and Galeton, Colorado.
- This role will occasionally require supporting an overnight shift (about once per quarter, on average).
Qualifications We Prefer:
- Experience in propulsion systems, aerospace systems, or other high-performance engineering systems.
- Knowledge of aerospace safety programs and experience with standards from organizations such as NASA, FAA, or DoD.
- Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills with a proven ability to communicate technical information to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Demonstrated leadership in managing safety programs and directing teams of safety professionals.
- Experience with project management tools like Earned Value Management Systems (EVMS) and familiarity with proposal development processes.
- Master’s degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM).
Colorado law requires us to tell you the base compensation range of this role, which is $115,000 - $143,000, 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 STEM
- Minimum 8 years relevant Systems Engineering or Safety Engineering experience
- Prior experience in System Safety Engineering, Systems Engineering, Explosive Safety, Software/Firmware Engineering, or Electrical Engineering
- Ability to obtain and maintain U.S. government-issued security clearance
- Must be a U.S. Person (U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident)
- Master's degree in STEM
- Experience in propulsion systems or aerospace systems
- Knowledge of aerospace safety standards (NASA, FAA, DoD)
- Experience with Earned Value Management Systems (EVMS) and proposal development
- Demonstrated leadership managing safety programs and directing teams
- Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills
- Experience maintaining ATF and CDLE permits and licenses
What the Team is Saying
Ursa Major Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time off is characterized by unlimited PTO covering vacation, sick, personal, and bereavement, augmented by paid parental/adoptive leave and two company‑wide weeklong breaks. Company materials and third‑party benefits pages consistently highlight this breadth as a standout element.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage includes medical, dental, vision, and prescription plans plus employer‑paid short‑term disability, life insurance, and AD&D, with EAP and HSA/FSA noted on some postings. External benefits snapshots point to strong perceived coverage quality.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — Ownership is offered through stock options/equity grants alongside competitive pay. Third‑party employer listings repeatedly include equity as part of the standard package, signaling broad accessibility.
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.
