Propulsion Engineer, Fluid & Mechanical Systems

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

HSA/FSA

401k with company match

Equity grants

Job summary

Ursa Major in Colorado is seeking a responsible engineer to lead clean-sheet fluid and mechanical engine component design, from concept to production-ready solutions. You will support multiple propulsion programs, deriving requirements and coordinating with teams on testing, assembly, and validation.

The role emphasizes hands-on design, rapid iteration, and ownership across engine programs in a fast-paced environment. Strong CAD skills and fluid mechanics intuition are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering.
• Hands-on, rapid mechanical design experience through club, internship, or professional experience.
• Strong fluid mechanics understanding and intuition.
• Demonstrated proficiency with computer aided design and drafting.
• Strong understanding of industry standards and requirements.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Clean sheet design of fluid & mechanical engine components including gimbals, actuators, valves, and fluid systems.
• Design modifications of existing components and prototypes to increase performance, improve manufacturability or resolve limitations.
• Work with other engineers on design of components, system sizing, component testing, and system-level development for multiple engine programs.
• Derive requirements from top level engine and test objectives.
• Write, review, and update work instructions for the assembly of engine components and establish tests.
• Assemble and test first article prototypes.
• Work with interfacing teams to ensure integration of component designs into the engine system and support validation.

Skills

Fluid mechanics

CAD design

Ownership

Team collaboration

Detail-oriented

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Tools

Creo or NX CAD

Windchill PLM

ANSYS/FEA

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 make immediate contributions to our fluid and mechanical system design efforts as a responsible engineer. This role will be part of the technical organization, responsible for the clean sheet design, development, and validation of a variety of propulsion hardware. Candidates will be expected to have ownership from the initial concept phase to a production-ready design and may need to support multiple engine programs simultaneously.

Responsibilities

• Clean sheet design of fluid & mechanical engine components including gimbals, actuators, valves, and fluid systems
• Design modifications of existing components and prototypes to increase performance, improve manufacturability or resolve limitations
• Work with other engineers at Ursa Major on topics including design of components, system sizing, component testing, and system-level architecture and development for multiple engine programs.
• Derive requirements from top level engine and test objectives
• Write, review, and update work instructions for the assembly of engine components as well as 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 engine system. Support validation and recursive design during engine development.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering
• Hands-on, rapid mechanical design experience through club, internship, or professional experience
• Strong fluid mechanics understanding and intuition
• Demonstrated proficiency with computer aided design and drafting
• Strong understanding of industry standards and requirements
• 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

• Electro-mechanical and pneumatic valve actuator design experience
• Liquid propellant rocket engine design, test, or analysis
• Experience testing high-pressure fluid systems
• Demonstrated proficiency with basic principles of design for additive manufacturing
• Experience with geometric dimensioning and tolerancing per ASME Y14.5
• Experience operating in ISO 9001 or AS9100 certified organizations.
• Experience with SMC-S-016 Test Requirements
• Experience with structural, fluids, and thermal analysis using Ansys FEA software
• 1+ years of PTC Creo or Siemens NX CAD programs and Windchill PLM software

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

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

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.