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.
We are looking for a Senior Propulsion Engineer to be an integral part of improving how we design, build, test, and deliver high-performing rocket engines to customers. As a Senior Propulsion Engineer, you will be expected to contribute to combustion devices design and development as well as help other engineers on their individual combustion device projects. You will be responsible for clean sheet design of in-space propulsion thruster(s) and associated hardware (e.g., catalyst beds). All Candidates will be expected to have ownership from the initial concept phase to a production-ready design and development and may need to support multiple programs simultaneously.
Responsibilities
- Clean-sheet design of combustion devices, initially focused on a monopropellant hydrazine thruster and associated catalyst for in-space propulsion applications
- Design modifications of existing components and prototypes to increase performance, improve manufacturability or resolve limitations.
- Collaborate with team members to write, review, and update work instructions for the assembly of components as well as establish appropriate acceptance and qualification tests.
- Assembly and testing of first article prototypes.
- Collaborate with the manufacturing, analysis, and test teams to reduce part-to-part variation and discrepancies
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering
- 5+ years of relevant mechanical design experience.
- Experience in the handling of hypergolic propellants and the use of catalyst beds for decomposition
- 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
- Ability to balance priorities to meet schedule requirements for several projects at once
- Excellent problem solving, task management, and communication skills
Desired Experience
- Hands-on test experience with combustion devices
- Demonstrated proficiency with fundamental manual or CNC machining equipment and processes (milling, turning)
- Demonstrated proficiency with basic principles of design for additive manufacturing
- Experience leading design reviews to communicate design decisions and trades. Well versed in documenting those reviews
- Coordination with analysis and lead engineers to quickly mature designs
- Experience with structural and thermal analysis using Ansys FEA software
- 3+ years of PTC Creo or Siemens NX CAD programs and Windchill PLM software
Colorado law requires us to tell you the base compensation range of this role, which is $100,000- $150,000, determined by your education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities. The salary range for this role is intentionally wide as we are evaluating individuals based on their unique experience and abilities to fit our needs. Most importantly, we are excited to meet you, and see if you are a great fit for our team. What we can’t quantify for you are the exciting challenges, supportive team, and amazing culture we enjoy. Click here for more information about our awesome benefits.
Benefits Include:
- 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 - Traditional 401(k) and a Roth 401(k)
- Equity Grants in the Company
NOTE: Research suggests that women and BIPOC individuals may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage anyone who believes they have the skills and the drive necessary to succeed here to apply for this role.
US CITIZENSHIP, PERMANENT RESIDENCY, REFUGEE OR ASYLUM STATUS IS REQUIRED.
We’re an equal-opportunity employer. You will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.
No outside recruiters, please.
Top Skills
What the Team is Saying
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What We Do
At Ursa Major, we are powering the future of aerospace. We see aerospace advancement as a technological imperative and we’re accelerating the industry as the leading source of world-class propulsion systems.
We meticulously design, craft, and test engines that are optimized to offer high performance, diverse capability, and unwavering reliability.
Why Work With Us
As much as we value talent, we know that it’s meaningless without the drive, humility, and hunger to work on a team. A team shares a common goal and obsesses about achieving it together. This requires leaving egos at the door and committing to do whatever’s required (within reason) to achieve mission success.
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Ursa Major Offices
Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
