Mission Engineer II

Ursa Major; Berthoud (CO); On-site; USD 88,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited PTO

Parental leave

Health insurance

Dental & Vision

401k

Job summary

Ursa Major is seeking a Mission Engineer II to support external success of SRM products as they leave campus or other sub-campuses. You will plan and execute flight campaigns, motor qualification campaigns, and off-site energetic material testing.

You will interface with external industry partners, conduct hot‑fire tests, participate in data reviews, and help troubleshoot motor/engine test issues. You will drive test campaign success, collaborate with internal teams, and ensure adherence to

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or related field.
• 1–3 years of mission operations or test engineering experience.
• Ability to build trust and relationships with cross-functional stakeholders.
• Strong problem-solving skills in a fast-paced environment.
• Hands-on with electrical, fluid, and mechanical systems.
• Willing to travel up to 50% of the year for multi-week campaigns.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the point of contact between Ursa Major and customer program manager/flight test lead.
• Shape test objectives, oversee execution, interpret results, and communicate insights to customers.
• Ensure compliance with test plans, qualification requirements, and hardware work instructions.
• Generate and track program objectives and assist in validation of milestones.
• Support motor/engine operations, including stand readiness and diagnostics.
• Develop internal qualification test plans in line with system engineering.

Skills

Mission operations

Test engineering

Problem solving

Travel availability

Education

Bachelors in Mechanical/Aerospace Eng

Tools

Test stands

Instrumentation

Job description

Role Overview

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.

The Mission Engineer II will support the external success of SRM products that leave the Ursa Major campus or other sub‑campuses. As a Mission Engineer, you will plan and execute flight campaigns, motor qualification campaigns, off‑site energetic material testing, motor integration, verification, and validation (IV & V). You will interface with various external industry partners, conduct hot‑fire motor/engine tests, participate in data reviews, support troubleshooting efforts related to motor/engine tests, drive motor/engine test campaign success, and collaborate with all relevant internal disciplines to bring that expertise into the field while advocating for and protecting the Ursa Major brand and reputation during field operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as point of contact between Ursa Major and customer program manager/flight test lead
• Shape test objectives, oversee execution, interpret results, comply with test range requirements and communicate clear technical insights to customers
• Ensure execution of and compliance with test plans, qualification requirements and hardware work instructions developed by Ursa Major and customers while complying with external test range SOPs
• Generate and track program mission objectives/milestones and assist in the technical validation of program milestones and adherence of those objectives throughout the program lifecycle
• Support complex motor/engine operations, including test stand readiness, system checkouts, instrumentation troubleshooting, and field diagnostics
• Generate internal qualification test plans/procedures that follow the program qualification plan and comply with systems engineering to satisfy product requirements
• Obtain and provide data to SRM safety team for the generation of hazardous shipping documentation of SRM products (i.e.: IHC, FHC, EX) and facilitate the submission process
• Operate and modify launcher platform systems and understand how systems interact with ignition chain of motor/engine
• Support and assist the energetics team in the handling, planning, and execution of testing both on and offsite in support of energetic material classification testing
• Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field
• 1‑3 years of mission operations, test engineer, or other relevant experience
• Ability to earn trust, build rapport and maintain positive and professional relationships with cross‑functional stakeholders and customers
• Strong problem‑solving skills and ability to work in a fast‑paced development environment
• Working knowledge of and hands‑on experience with electrical, fluid, and mechanical systems
• Willing to spend up to 50% of the year on travel for multi‑week test and flight campaigns

Desired Experience

• Master’s degree in a relevant technical discipline
• Experience interfacing with DoD programs and partners
• Experience with hazardous operations and system safety
• Experience with qualification efforts on aerospace systems or DoD platforms
• SRM or other propulsion system design, development, or test
• Technical expertise in liquid and/or solid rocket motor/engine manufacturing, integration, or test
• Ability to be eligible and maintain eligibility for a Secret Clearance

Colorado law requires us to tell you the base compensation range of this role, which is $88,000 - $110,000, determined by your education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities.

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

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

Eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance.

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.