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.
As a Staff Thermal-Fluids Analysis Engineer you will support all our product design programs through a broad variety of fluid analysis techniques. Our ideal candidate is one proficient in both CFD as well as steady-state and transient 1D (lumped parameter) fluid modeling. You will be exposed to all systems on our engines and the unique challenges each component presents. You will also be expected to leverage existing knowledge to solve difficult problems throughout an engine lifecycle.
You will be expected to assess the risk and performance of the hardware and to provide proactive feedback to our design team regarding how to improve their components based on the results of your work. We are seeking an individual who is excited about solving problems on the edge of technical capabilities by using their deep understanding of fluids, thermodynamics, combustion, and simulation. This individual will be able to apply that understanding to predict the performance of rocket engine components including combustors, manifolds, and turbomachinery.
We are looking for experienced analysts who will be responsible for the technical growth of Ursa Major’s fluid analysis capabilities. You will report to our Propulsion Analysis Team Lead.
- Use hand calculations and steady CFD to predict fluid behavior throughout the engine system and its components (e.g. assess pressure drops and mass flow distributions).
- Build steady-state and transient 1D models of our engines’ fluid systems to predict matters such as engine components’ operating states and engine startup behavior.
- Identify potential design improvements and collaborate with other engineering teams to develop our engines while ensuring they meet our system-level requirements.
- Work closely with our test team to request instrumentation necessary to anchor our analytical models.
- Support anomaly investigations by building transient 1D fluid models to recreate measurements recorded during engine operation.
- Ownership of fluid models of rocket engines and related systems. This will include support of concept and clean-sheet designs, as well as supporting mature system improvements.
- Improve upon Ursa’s analytical methods and seek out new approaches and tools.
- Provide professional development, mentorship, and technical guidance to peers.
Minimum Experience/Requirements
- B.S. degree in Mechanical, Aerospace Engineering, or a comparable field.
- 5+ years of combined fluids analysis experience (CFD and 1D, as detailed below).
- Experience in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) using commercial codes (ANSYS Fluent or CFX preferred, but knowledge of StarCCM+ or similar tools is welcome).
- Experience developing steady and transient 1D models of fluid system analyses ideally using ROCETS or GFSSP. Knowledge of SINDA/FLUINT, FloCAD, AFT Arrow/Fathom/Impulse, Flownex, Flowmaster, GT-SUITE, or comparable lumped parameter analysis tools would also be gladly accepted.
- Demonstrated experience in fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and heat transfer.
- Programming experience (Python ideal, but MATLAB or other high-level languages acceptable).
- Basic experience with 3D CAD software (Creo and NX are ideal).
- Experience with complex fluid-mechanical systems - our engines are the product of integrated combustors, turbomachinery, and control systems, all of which must be well understood and optimized.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced, startup environment.
- Prior experience working on safety-critical systems in production environments.
Ideal Experience/Requirements
- M.S. or PhD degree in mechanical, aerospace engineering, or a comparable field.
- 10+ years of combined fluids analysis experience (CFD and 1D, ideally with heavy focus on the specific applications detailed below).
- Experience using CFD to predict performance in at least one specialty area: pump performance prediction, turbine performance prediction, cavitation/two-phase modeling, combustion modeling, or unsteady calculations.
- Experience using 1D models of fluid systems to predict transient phenomena such as water hammer or engine start-up.
- Analysis of cryogenic fluid systems, high-pressure pneumatics, two-phase or supercritical fluid systems, and compressible flows.
- Professional experience in rocketry or turbomachinery.
Colorado law requires us to tell you the base compensation range of this role, which is $155,000 - $190,000, 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
- B.S. degree in Mechanical, Aerospace Engineering, or comparable field.
- 5+ years of combined fluids analysis experience (CFD and 1D).
- Experience in Computational Fluid Dynamics using commercial codes (ANSYS Fluent or CFX preferred; StarCCM+ or similar acceptable).
- Experience developing steady and transient 1D fluid system models (ROCETS or GFSSP preferred; SINDA/FLUINT, FloCAD, AFT Arrow/Fathom/Impulse, Flownex, Flowmaster, GT‑SUITE also acceptable).
- Demonstrated experience in fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and heat transfer.
- Programming experience (Python preferred; MATLAB or other high-level languages acceptable).
- Basic experience with 3D CAD software (Creo and NX ideal).
- Experience with complex fluid‑mechanical systems (integrated combustors, turbomachinery, control systems).
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced, startup environment.
- Prior experience working on safety‑critical systems in production environments.
- Must be a U.S. Person (U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident).
- Eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance.
- M.S. or PhD in mechanical/aerospace engineering.
- 10+ years of combined fluids analysis experience (CFD and 1D).
- Experience with specialty CFD areas: pump/turbine performance, cavitation/two‑phase, combustion modeling, or unsteady calculations.
- Experience using 1D models to predict transient phenomena (water hammer, engine start‑up).
- Analysis experience with cryogenic fluids, high‑pressure pneumatics, two‑phase or supercritical systems, and compressible flows.
- Professional experience in rocketry or turbomachinery.
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.
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Ursa Major Offices
OnSite Workspace
Most employees work on-site with some positions allowing hybrid and/or remote work.
