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.
Senior Test Engineer, Solid Missile Systems
Location: Galeton & Berthoud, Colorado
Ursa Major develops, manufactures, and tests solid rocket motors for modern defense applications. We are building a high-performance engineering organization focused on designing and operating the ground systems that enable safe, repeatable, and scalable propulsion testing.
As a Senior Test Engineer, you will own the design, integration, build, and lifecycle support of test infrastructure used for propulsion testing. This includes static fire test stands, fluid-mechanical systems, ground support equipment (GSE), and the integrated controls, instrumentation, and data acquisition systems required to execute tests safely and repeatably.
This is a hands-on role working directly at rocket test sites and in remote field locations, where you will build, assemble, modify, and troubleshoot mechanical, fluid, and controls-based test systems. You’ll collaborate closely with test technicians, propulsion engineers, and operations teams to execute development and qualification test campaigns and resolve system-level issues in real time.
Key Responsibilities
Integrated Test Systems & Infrastructure Ownership
- Design, develop, commission, and sustain scalable propulsion test stands and test infrastructure supporting multiple solid rocket motor programs ranging from early R&D through qualification and production acceptance testing.
- Design and integrate fluid-mechanical systems including high-pressure gas systems, pneumatics, hydraulics, and remotely operated ground support equipment.
- Design and maintain industrial electrical and controls systems for propulsion test operations, including low-voltage power distribution, grounding/bonding, interlocks, PLC-based automation, sequencing logic, and facility electrical integration.
- Support instrumentation and data acquisition systems including sensor integration, signal conditioning, calibration strategy, distributed DAQ architecture, data integrity validation, and control room interfaces.
- Lead and oversee static fire campaigns, including system validation, real-time test operation leadership, and anomaly resolution to deliver decision-ready test data
Safety and Operational Excellence
- Own test range safety analysis for SRM testing, including overpressure, fragmentation, and environmental hazards and exclusion zones.
- Own test risk assessments, ensuring hazards are clearly identified, mitigated, and communicated.
- Serve as a technical resource for hazardous test operations involving high-pressure fluids, energetic systems, and integrated controls systems.
- Partner closely with EHS to support test safety planning, hazard analysis, risk mitigation, and compliance with applicable safety standards, energetic material handling requirements, and regulatory requirements for test operations and infrastructure.
Cross-Functional Leadership
- Collaborate closely with engineering, manufacturing, operations, facilities, and program teams to enable rapid testing and design iteration, risk reduction, and flight readiness.
- Support long-term standardization test infrastructure planning including facility expansion, capital improvements, operational scalability, and infrastructure modernization efforts across multiple sites.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Electrical Engineering (or related engineering discipline).
- 4+ years of experience in propulsion testing, aerospace systems, manufacturing, energy systems, heavy industry, or other hazardous hardware development environments.
- Demonstrated track record designing, integrating, commissioning, or operating test stands, ground support equipment, or integrated test systems for hazardous or high-energy hardware applications.
- Experience with PLC-based automation systems, National Instruments DAQ systems, and 3D CAD software such as NX, Inventor, CATIA, or SolidWorks.
- Strong working knowledge of hazardous systems including energetic systems, cryogenics, high-pressure gases, or industrial electrical systems.
- Demonstrated ability to lead complex test campaigns emphasizing safety, reliability, operational execution, and data quality.
- Ability to obtain explosive permits from the ATF and the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret Security Clearance.
Preferred Qualifications
- Demonstrated technical leadership defining, scaling, or standardizing integrated propulsion test infrastructure across multiple programs, facilities, or development campaigns.
- Experience with Siemens PLC platforms, industrial automation, distributed controls systems, and integrated controls architectures.
- Extensive experience designing, commissioning, or operating static fire test stands, blast-resistant systems, hazardous ground support equipment, or large-scale test infrastructure.
Work Environment & Physical Requirements
- Hands-on work in austere and remote propulsion test environments with exposure to loud noise, hazardous materials, outdoor conditions, and hazardous operations.
- Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. and operate hand tools and mechanical equipment as needed.
- Ability to support occasional off-shift, weekend, and remote test operations depending on campaign schedules and program needs.
Colorado law requires us to tell you the base compensation range of this role, which is $109,000 - $136,000, 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 Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical Engineering, or related discipline.
- 4+ years experience in propulsion testing, aerospace systems, manufacturing, energy systems, heavy industry, or hazardous hardware development.
- Track record designing, integrating, commissioning, or operating test stands, ground support equipment, or integrated test systems for high-energy or hazardous applications.
- Experience with PLC-based automation systems, National Instruments DAQ systems, and 3D CAD software (NX, Inventor, CATIA, or SolidWorks).
- Strong working knowledge of hazardous systems (energetic systems, cryogenics, high-pressure gases, or industrial electrical systems).
- Demonstrated ability to lead complex test campaigns emphasizing safety, reliability, operational execution, and data quality.
- Ability to obtain explosive permits from the ATF and the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.
- Must be a U.S. Person (U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident) and eligible for U.S. security clearance.
- Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and operate hand tools and mechanical equipment.
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.
