Chief Engineer - Hypersonic Missile & Interceptor

Industrious Ventures; Berthoud, Northern (CO, KY); Hybrid; USD 175,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited PTO

Parental and adoptive leave

Medical, dental and vision insurance

401k with company match

Equity grants

Job summary

Ursa Major seeks a Chief Engineer, Hypersonic Missile & Interceptor to own the end-to-end vehicle baseline and architect the Draper Engine Vehicle. Lead propulsion integration with systems, manage interfaces, and drive rigorous V&V across a fast-paced program for government and commercial customers.

The role requires strong leadership, deep propulsion knowledge, and the ability to make critical trade decisions under schedule pressure, while mentoring engineers and coordinating with program

Qualifications

• 12+ years in aerospace vehicle development with system-level ownership.
• Experience as Chief Engineer/Lead Systems Engineer/Vehicle Architect on flight vehicles or missiles.
• Deep understanding of propulsion integration, vehicle dynamics, and system trades.
• Proven track record leading design reviews, test campaigns, and flight readiness.

Responsibilities

• Own vehicle system architecture, baseline, and configuration for the Draper Engine Vehicle.
• Lead cross-disciplinary integration across propulsion, structures, GNC, avionics & software, thermal, and mission systems.
• Chair technical reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, FRR) and oversee risk mitigation.
• Partner with Program Management to balance performance, cost, schedule, and risk.
• Define test strategies and ensure data-driven decisions from analysis and test results.

Skills

Technical leadership

System architecture

Requirements flow-down

Risk management

Executive communication

MBSE tools

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

MBSE tools

Job description

Ursa Major seeks a Chief Engineer, Hypersonic Missile & Interceptor to own the end-to-end vehicle baseline and architect the Draper Engine Vehicle. Lead propulsion integration with systems, manage interfaces, and drive rigorous V&V across a fast-paced program for government and commercial customers.

The role requires strong leadership, deep propulsion knowledge, and the ability to make critical trade decisions under schedule pressure, while mentoring engineers and coordinating with program