Lead Propulsion Engineer - Combustion Hardware

Ursa Major; Berthoud (CO); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; 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 is seeking a skilled propulsion engineer to own hardware from concept through production. You will work on engine combustion devices, injectors, thrust chambers, nozzles, and catalyst beds, while improving designs and performance models.

You will collaborate across teams to generate instructions, tests, and qualification plans. The role requires practical experience with rocket hardware, CAD proficiency, and strong problem-solving and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or related field.
• Experience in design, test, or analysis of rocket engine injectors, chambers, or nozzles through club activity, internships, or full time work.
• Fundamental understanding of closed-cycle rocket engine operating principles.
• Proficiency with computer aided design and drafting.
• Demonstrated ability to own hardware through the production lifecycle.
• Working knowledge of and hands-on experience with fluid, mechanical, and electrical systems.
• Desire to take ownership of multiple projects at once.
• Excellent problem solving, task management, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated proficiency with basic principles of design for additive manufacturing.
• Coordination with analysis and lead engineers to quickly mature designs.
• Experience leading and documenting design reviews to communicate design decisions and trades.
• Experience designing, testing, and analyzing catalyst beds.
• Experience with CFD and/or structural and thermal analysis using Ansys or equivalent.
• Experience with Siemens NX CAD programs and Windchill PLM software.
• Experience with geometric dimensioning and tolerancing per ASME Y14.5
• Strong understanding of industry standards and requirements
• Liquid propellant rocket engine design, test, or analysis

Responsibilities

• Ownership of Engine Combustion Device Hardware (injectors, thrust chamber, nozzles, catalyst beds) through entire product lifecycle.
• Design modifications of existing components and prototypes to increase performance, improve manufacturability, or resolve limitations.
• Maintain and improve combustor performance models.
• 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

Skills

CAD

Rocket hardware

Problem solving

Communication

Project ownership

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering

Tools

Siemens NX

Windchill

Ansys

Job description

Ursa Major is seeking a skilled propulsion engineer to own hardware from concept through production. You will work on engine combustion devices, injectors, thrust chambers, nozzles, and catalyst beds, while improving designs and performance models.

You will collaborate across teams to generate instructions, tests, and qualification plans. The role requires practical experience with rocket hardware, CAD proficiency, and strong problem-solving and communication skills.