Propellant Tank Responsible Engineer - In-Space

Ursa Major; Berthoud (CO); On-site; USD 92,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited PTO

Parental leave

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Equity grants

Job summary

Ursa Major is seeking a hands‑on propulsion hardware engineer to own components from concept through flight readiness. You will design propulsion system elements such as tanks, thrusters, and fluid systems, with an emphasis on manufacturability and robust test planning.

You will collaborate across teams to derive system requirements, write assembly instructions, and validate first‑article prototypes across multiple programs in a fast‑paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering is required.
• 2+ years of hardware design and ownership experience.
• Proficiency in design for manufacturability (DFM).
• Proficiency with CAD and drafting and GD&T per ASME Y14.5.
• Hands-on experience with pressure vessels, fluid, mechanical and electrical systems.
• Ability to own tasks and lead large projects.

Responsibilities

• Own propulsion system components through flight with a focus on pressure vessels.
• Design tanks, thrusters, and fluid systems from clean sheet.
• Modify existing components to improve performance and manufacturability.
• Derive requirements from system and test objectives.
• Write and update work instructions for assembly and testing.
• Assemble and test first‑article prototypes.
• Collaborate with interfacing teams to ensure integration and validation.

Skills

Pressure vessels

DFM

NX CAD

Windchill

ASME Y14.5

Systems engineering

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

Siemens NX

Windchill PLM

Ansys FEA

Job description

Overview

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.

Our products and technologies require an extraordinary team. We are intrinsically motivated individuals who have a passion for solving problems and empower each other every day to develop our skills, knowing that there is always room for growth.

We are looking for a skilled, fast‑learning individual who will serve as a central member of the In‑Space team and take immediate hardware ownership as a responsible engineer. This role will be part of the technical organization, responsible for clean‑sheet design, development, and validation of a variety of propulsion hardware. Candidates will be expected to own the project from the initial concept phase to a production‑ready design and may need to support multiple In‑Space programs simultaneously.

Responsibilities

• Ownership of new and existing spacecraft propulsion system components through flight, with a focus on pressure vessels.
• Clean‑sheet design of spacecraft propulsion system components including tanks, thrusters, and fluid systems.
• Design modifications of existing components and prototypes to increase performance and improve manufacturability.
• Derive requirements from top‑level system and test objectives.
• Write, review, and update work instructions for the assembly of components and establish appropriate acceptance and qualification tests.
• Assemble and test first‑article prototypes.
• Work closely with interfacing teams to ensure successful integration of component designs into the propulsion system. Support validation and recursive design during system development.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering.
• 2+ years of relevant hardware design and ownership experience.
• Proficiency with the basic principles of design for manufacturability.
• Proficiency with computer‑aided design and drafting and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing per ASME Y14.5.
• Working knowledge of and hands‑on experience with pressure vessels, fluid, mechanical, and electrical systems.
• Desire to take ownership and help wherever needed on the team.
• Able to delegate tasks and lead large project scope.
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced environment and stay flexible based on customer demands and company priorities, along with daily firefighting.

Desired Experience

• Experience with spacecraft fluid systems architecture, requirements, and design for various missions including LEO, GEO, and beyond.
• Spacecraft propulsion system and component design, test, or analysis.
• Familiarity with hypergolic propellant systems.
• Knowledge of industry standards and requirements including SMC‑S‑016, AIAA S‑080, and SSCMAN 91‑710.
• Experience operating in ISO 9001 or AS9100 certified organizations.
• Experience with structural, fluids, and thermal analysis using Ansys FEA.
• 2+ years of Siemens NX CAD programs and Windchill PLM software.
• Master’s or PhD in mechanical or aerospace engineering.
• Component testing and validation experience.
• Experience with flight qualification and flight support.

Colorado law requires us to tell you the base compensation range of this role, which is $92,000 – $115,000 determined by your education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Classification: Full‑time Exempt.

Benefits Include

• 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 – 401(k) with company match.
• Equity grants in the company.

How to Apply

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply by filling out the application below and clicking “Submit Application.” This position will be posted for a minimum of three days and will remain open until filled.

Research suggests that women and BIPOC individuals may self‑select out of opportunities if they do not 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).

Must be eligible 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.