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's Solid Rocket Motor manufacturing team is growing; we are seeking a Staff Program Manufacturing Engineer to support manufacturing of solid rocket motors through complete product lifecycles.
Role Overview
The Staff Program Manufacturing Engineer is the primary manufacturing owner for one or more solid rocket motor programs, responsible for driving the product from development through full-rate production. This role serves as the key interface between Manufacturing, Design/Engineering, Program Management, Supply Chain, Quality, and Operations to ensure robust, producible designs and efficient, repeatable manufacturing processes.
Key Responsibilities
- Own manufacturing engineering responsibility for assigned solid rocket motor programs across the full lifecycle: development, qualification, low-rate initial production, and full-rate production.
- Drive Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles early in the design cycle.
- Ensure process capability and yield targets.
- Responsible for Manufacturing Readiness Reviews (MRRs), line set-up, tooling readiness, and operator training.
- Identify manufacturing risks and opportunities; develop and track mitigation plans and improvement projects.
- Maintain close communication with development and process engineers across multiple areas including propellant processing, case preparation, liner application, casting, cure, assembly, and integration operations.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field.
- 7+ years’ experience in manufacturing engineering within aerospace, defense, or a similar highly regulated industry.
- Experience with DFM/DFA methodologies and manufacturing readiness activities.
- Demonstrated experience taking hardware from development/prototype builds into stable, repeatable production.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with solid rocket motors, energetic materials, or propulsion systems.
- Familiarity with Lean, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement frameworks.
- Experience with ERP/MRP systems and manufacturing execution systems (MES).
- Active or obtainable security clearance (if required by program).
Colorado law requires us to tell you the base compensation range of this role, which is $129,600 - $162,000, 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
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 Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field
- 7+ years of manufacturing engineering experience in aerospace, defense, or a similar highly regulated industry
- Experience with Design for Manufacturability and Design for Assembly methodologies
- Experience with manufacturing readiness activities
- Demonstrated experience transitioning hardware from development or prototype builds into stable, repeatable production
- Experience with solid rocket motors, energetic materials, or propulsion systems
- Familiarity with Lean, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement frameworks
- Experience with ERP/MRP systems and manufacturing execution systems
- Active or obtainable security clearance, if required by the program
- Must be a U.S. Person, including U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents
- Eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance
What the Team is Saying
Ursa Major Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Unlimited PTO covering vacation, personal, sick, and bereavement leave is paired with paid company holidays and two weeklong company-wide shutdowns in July and at year-end. This structure provides guaranteed downtime in addition to flexible time off.
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Parental & Family Support — Paid parental and adoptive leave is explicitly included, and family-oriented supports are highlighted in company and third‑party materials. These inclusions signal meaningful coverage for growing families, though exact paid durations are not publicly specified.
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Healthcare Strength — Coverage spans medical, dental, vision, prescription drugs, HSA/FSA, and employer‑paid short‑ and long‑term disability, basic life, and AD&D. Health coverage breadth appears strong across official listings.
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.
