Senior Development Engineer

About the role

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 Ursa Major continues it's growth within the realm of solid propulsion, we're assembling an innovative and nimble team in order to bring needed improvements to the SRM industry. Applying the latest technologies to an outdated business model, we are able to improve cost, lead time, and flexibility without impacting reliability. Ursa Major prioritizes engineering excellence, building in-house capabilities in energetics, ballistics, and composites with an emphasis on novel designs focused on manufacturability and high-rate scalability.

We are seeking a highly motivated, hands-on Senior Development Engineer to lead the design, development, and testing of solid rocket motor (SRM) hardware.

The ideal candidate is a well-rounded engineer who thrives at the intersection of design, analysis, manufacturing, and testing. This individual will take ownership of challenging technical problems, develop practical engineering solutions, and drive hardware from initial concept through successful demonstration.

We value engineers who are equally comfortable working through first-principles calculations, developing detailed CAD models, performing structural analysis, and getting their hands dirty building and testing hardware.

This is a hands-on engineering role, not a purely analytical or design-focused position.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the full development cycle: Lead hardware development through design, build, test, analyze, and iterative improvement.
• Design and develop hardware: Create mechanical designs, assemblies, and manufacturing drawings using Siemens NX, with consideration for performance, manufacturability, assembly, and reliability.
• Apply engineering fundamentals: Use first-principles calculations and sound engineering judgment to evaluate concepts, establish design margins, and guide technical decisions.
• Perform engineering analysis: Develop and interpret finite element analysis (FEA) models to evaluate structural performance, identify potential failure modes, and inform design decisions.
• Build and test hardware: Work directly with manufacturing, assembly, and test teams to fabricate prototypes, execute development testing, and evaluate hardware performance.
• Drive rapid iteration: Analyze test data, identify root causes of failures or unexpected behavior, and implement effective design improvements.
• Solve complex technical problems: Independently investigate challenging engineering issues, develop practical solutions, and drive them to resolution.
• Lead technical execution: Take responsibility for hardware performance, technical risk, development schedules, and delivery of engineering objectives.
• Collaborate across disciplines: Work closely with energetics, manufacturing, quality, and test engineers to integrate designs and resolve technical challenges.
• Mentor and elevate the team: Provide technical guidance, communicate engineering rationale, and help develop the capabilities of less-experienced engineers

Required Qualifications

• This position requires that the employee be eligible to obtain and maintain eligibility for a Secret Clearance.

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a closely related technical discipline.

• 5+ years of relevant experience developing, designing, analyzing, or testing Solid Rocket Motors or adjacent aerospace hardware.
• Strong understanding of engineering first principles, including mechanics of materials, structural analysis, thermodynamics, and fluid mechanics.
• Demonstrated experience taking hardware through multiple design-build-test iterations.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD software, preferably Siemens NX, including detailed part and assembly design and engineering drawings.
• Experience performing and interpreting finite element analysis (FEA) for mechanical or structural systems.
• Hands-on experience with hardware fabrication, assembly, instrumentation, troubleshooting, or development testing.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, material selection, tolerancing, and design for manufacturability.
• Demonstrated ability to independently solve open-ended technical problems and make sound engineering decisions.
• Ability to communicate and document complex technical concepts clearly and work effectively across engineering and manufacturing disciplines.

Additional information

Desire for candidates who have at least a strong background in one or more of the above qualifications. With exposure or light experience in the others.

Pay and benefits

Colorado law requires us to tell you the base compensation range of this role, which is $115,000 - $145,000, 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

(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.

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.
• Must be a U.S. Person (this includes U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents).
• Eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance.
• No outside recruiters, please.