Propellant Development Engineer II

InvestedintheMission; Berthoud (CO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 112,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited PTO

Paid parental leave

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401k with company match

Equity grants

Job summary

Ursa Major, based in the United States, is seeking a candidate in propellant development for SRM systems. The role involves research and development of solid propellants, data analysis, and assisting in scale-up and safety-focused operations.

The position will require handling energetic materials under supervision with strong emphasis on safety and quality. Base compensation ranges from $90,000 to $112,000, with a full‑time exempt classification.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience or coursework in energetic materials, polymers, chemical processing, or fluid mechanics.
• Strong safety mindset when handling hazardous energetic materials.
• Ability to follow engineering guidelines and execute systematic solutions.

Responsibilities

• Support energetics development programs and meet project milestones.
• Prepare status updates for project leads and management.
• Assist in formulation, mixing, casting, and testing of solid propellants.

Skills

Energetic materials

Polymer chemistry

Chemical kinetics

Data analysis

Safety culture

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or related field

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.

Ursa Major is currently looking to fill a role in propellant development for SRM systems. This call seeks an individual skilled in research and development to support analysis of solid rocket motor production materials. The ideal candidate will have hands‑on experience with formulation or polymer chemistry as well as a strong commitment to safety and quality. This role involves assisting in the setup, operation, and maintenance of hazardous and technical process equipment designated for energetics processing. Individual will be trained to handle energetic/explosive materials. Additional work in expanding experimental development and analysis would be a bonus.

Colorado law requires us to tell you the base compensation range of this role, which is $90,000 - $112,000, 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

Key Responsibilities:

Program Support & Technical Execution

• Project Execution: Support energetics development programs by completing assigned technical tasks to ensure project milestones and schedules are met.
• Reporting: Prepare status updates for project leads and management on assigned tasks, tracking progress against technical and manufacturing goals.

Research, Development & Engineering

• Formulation & Testing: Assist in developmental formulation, mixing, casting, and testing of solid propellants to evaluate performance, shelf-life, and stability.
• Technical Growth: Apply foundational knowledge in energetic materials, chemical kinetics, and combustion to assist with technical tasks under senior guidance.
• Data Analysis: Process and analyze material property and test data to verify compliance with established performance requirements.
• Tool & Process Usage: Utilize standardized tools, protocols, and calculation templates to assist in propellant design and evaluation.

Manufacturing & Process Operations

• Scale-Up Support: Assist senior engineers in transitioning propellant formulations from laboratory mixing to production scale operations.
• Process Improvement: Participate in optimizing laboratory equipment and processing techniques to support safety, yield, and quality.
• Technical Documentation: Draft detailed test procedures, laboratory reports, design review materials, and manufacturing batch records.

Quality, Safety & Investigation

• Failure Analysis Support: Assist in Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and fault tree evaluations for non-conformances and testing anomalies.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with cross functional teams to execute daily operations safely and effectively.
• Safety Adherence: Maintain active participation in hazard analyses, process safety reviews, and local safety audits.

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
• Foundational Knowledge: 2+ years of experience or relevant coursework or laboratory experience involving energetic materials, polymers, chemical processing, or fluid mechanics.
• Problem Solving: Ability to follow engineering guidelines to break down assigned technical problems and execute systematic solutions.
• Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills for documenting technical work and presenting findings to team members.
• Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to work productively within cross-functional engineering teams in a fast-paced environment.
• Safety Mindset: Unwavering commitment to safety protocols required when working with and handling hazardous energetic materials.

Benefits Include: (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
• Equity Grants in the Company

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.

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.