Development Engineer II

Ursa Major; Berthoud (CO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited PTO

Paid Parental and Adoptive Leave

Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance

Retirement Savings Plan – 401k with Company Match

Job summary

Ursa Major is looking for a Development Engineer based in Berthoud, Colorado, to join a pioneering team dedicated to solid propulsion improvements in the aerospace sector. The role involves innovative design and testing of prototype hardware for solid rocket motors, leveraging cutting-edge technologies.

The ideal candidate holds a Bachelor's degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering and has 2-4 years of rocket propulsion experience. Competitive compensation between $90,000 and $115,000 annually is offered, along with excellent benefits including unlimited PTO and a 401k plan.

Qualifications

• 2-4 years of professional rocket propulsion experience.
• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance.

Responsibilities

• Design novel solid rocket motor elements with limited guidance.
• Lead cross-functional communications for design satisfaction.
• Evaluate new materials for SRM design solutions.

Skills

Knowledge of solid rocket motor fundamentals

Programming competency in any language

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering or Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Siemens NX

Python

MATLAB

ANSYS

Job description

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 expands into 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 Applying the latest technologies to an outdated business model, we are able to improve cost, lead time, and flexibility without impacting reliability.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.

Development engineers are primarily responsible for all aspects of the design, fabrication and test of development prototype hardware for Ursa Major’s solid motor program as well as process development for new and novel approaches to manufacturing. Success on this team requires an understanding of solid rocket propulsion fundamentals, mechanical and fluid systems, strong critical thinking skills, attention to detail, organization, and effective communication across discipline groups.

Responsibilities

• Clean sheet design of novel solid rocket motor elements with limited guidance from subject matter experts, including relevant analysis.
• Lead cross-functional communications to ensure designs satisfy the needs of each stakeholder.
• Maintain proper documentation of all designs including design reviews, drawings, test plans, requirements verification, etc.
• Evaluate novel manufacturing approaches and support experimentation to validate conceptual approaches.
• Coordinate with procurement team to identify potential supply chain risks and mitigate appropriately.
• Evaluate new materials for SRM design solutions, including material properties, manufacturability, and supply chain availability.
• Support the design, fabrication and assembly of prototype hardware and tooling.
• Provide dispositions for discrepant hardware including supporting analysis if required.
• Develop test plans including required instrumentation and coordinate with test team to execute.
• Review test data to ensure the product is operating as expected and support design changes as needed.
• Own failure investigations as needed.
• Develop and maintain aggressive but achievable product schedules that proactively identify and mitigate high-risk design decisions.
• Generate CAD models and drawings that are consistent with internal best practices and ASME Y14.5-2009 using Siemens NX software.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or other applicable discipline.
• 2-4 years of professional rocket propulsion experience.
• Knowledge of solid rocket motor fundamentals.
• Programming competency in any language.
• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance. This position requires that the employee be eligible and maintain eligibility for a Secret Clearance.

Desired Experience

• 4-6 years of rocket propulsion experience (e.g., professional experience, university design team, personal project).
• Experience handling and testing energetic materials.
• Experience with energetic material properties testing.
• Experience with ablative material composition, design, and testing.
• Programming competency in Python and/or MATLAB and FORTRAN.
• Experience with CAD modeling (NX preferred).
• Experience with chemical kinetics solvers (CEA, CLWire, ProPEP).
• Experience with FEA/CFD software packages (ANSYS preferred).
• Hands‑on hardware experience with fluid/mechanical systems, including design and safety review.
• DoD Secret Security Clearance or higher.

Compensation & Classification

Colorado law requires us to tell you the base compensation range of this role, which is $90,000 - $115,000, 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

• 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.

Mandated Eligibility & Clearance

Must be a U.S. Person (this includes U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents).

Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance.

EEO Statement

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.