Propulsion Engineer, Combustion Devices

InvestedintheMission; 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

HSA/FSA

Disability & Life Insurance

Voluntary benefits

401k with company match

Equity grants

Job summary

Ursa Major is seeking a skilled propulsion engineer to own rocket engine hardware from concept through production. You will design, test, and modify injectors, chambers, and nozzles, while collaborating with manufacturing, analysis, and test teams to reduce variation.

Responsibilities include designing components, validating with tests, and maturing designs with CFD/ANSYS. A Bachelor's in mechanical or aerospace engineering is required, plus hands‑on propulsion experience.

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.
• Fundamental understanding of closed-cycle rocket engine operating principles.
• Proficiency with CAD and drafting.
• Ability to own hardware through the production lifecycle.
• Hands‑on experience with fluid, mechanical, and electrical systems.

Responsibilities

• Ownership of Engine Combustion Device Hardware through the product lifecycle.
• Design modifications to improve performance and manufacturability.
• Maintain and improve combustor performance models.
• Write and update work instructions for assembly and tests.
• Assemble and test first article prototypes.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, analysis, and test teams to reduce variation.

Skills

CAD proficiency

Hardware lifecycle ownership

Problem solving

Communication skills

Fluid/Mechanical/Electrical systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or related field

Tools

Siemens NX

Windchill PLM

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.

Ursa Major’s teams move fast and do a lot with little. We are looking for a skilled, fast-learning individual who will serve as a central member of the team and take immediate ownership of their system as a responsible engineer. This role will be part of the technical organization, responsible for clean sheet designs as well as modification to a variety of propulsion hardware. All candidates will be expected to have ownership from the initial concept phase to a production-ready design and may need to support multiple programs simultaneously.

Primary 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

Qualifications:

Requirements:

• 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

Desired Experience:

• 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

Colorado law requires us to tell you the base compensation range of this role, which is $80,000 - $100,000, 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 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

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.