Senior Controls Engineer

InvestedintheMission; Berthoud (CO); On-site; USD 110,000 - 137,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited PTO

Parental Leave

Insurance

HSA/FSA

Disability Insurance

Life Insurance

Retirement 401k

Equity Grants

Job summary

Ursa Major is seeking a Senior Manufacturing Controls Engineer to drive automation design and implementation across propulsion systems manufacturing. You will develop test systems, retrofit existing setups, and build dashboards for real-time decision making, focusing on operator experience.

Key work includes PLC programming, HMI development, electrical panel design, and instrument integration, collaborating with Manufacturing, Test, and Quality teams to ensure safe, scalable solutions.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in industrial automation hardware and software.
• Experience with Siemens PLCs or similar (Allen Bradley, Beckhoff, B&R).
• Experience developing in Ignition or similar platforms (Wonderware, Thingworx, Grafana).
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to adapt in a fast-paced environment across functions.
• Proven ability to balance multiple stakeholders and meet deadlines.
• Experience in safety-monitored controls for personnel-operated equipment.

Responsibilities

• Understand subassembly, assembly, and test requirements for data collection.
• Collaborate on specification, design, and deployment of automated systems.
• Contribute to equipment concepts balancing specs, cost, and lead time.
• Create and maintain controls standards and documentation.
• Develop safe PLC code and HMIs with focus on operator experience.
• Write well-organized, commented code designed for reuse.
• Program facility automation and SCADA connections to networks and databases.
• Design electrical schematics and build NFPA/UL508A-compliant panels.

Skills

Industrial automation

PLC programming

HMI development

Electrical panel design

SCADA connectivity

Instrumentation integration

Safety-monitored controls

Team collaboration

Documentation

Troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering

Tools

Siemens PLCs

Allen-Bradley

Beckhoff

B&R

Ignition

Wonderware

Thingworx

Grafana

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.

As a Senior Manufacturing Controls Engineer at Ursa Major, you will help drive the design, implementation, and upkeep of custom automation tools and SCADA connectivity through our propulsion systems manufacturing processes, test infrastructure, and facility. You will be highly collaborative with Manufacturing, Test, and Quality Engineering, as well as Safety, and Digital Operations teams.

The role will focus on development of new test systems, retrofits, and results databasing. PLC programming, HMI development, electrical panel design, and instrumentation integration will be key. You will implement solutions that enable plant connectivity and real-time decision making with a focus on operator experience.

Responsibilities:

• Gain understanding of subassembly function, assembly, and test requirements to establish workflow and data collection requirements
• Collaborate throughout the specification, design, and deployment of automated production systems as the primary automation and controls stakeholder
• Participate in initial equipment conceptual development and carefully balance product specifications, process requirements, layout complexity, cost, and lead-time limits
• Contribute to internal controls standards and requirements documentation
• Produce safety‑first PLC code & HMIs for production with a focus on operator experience and provide troubleshooting and diagnostics dashboards
• Code must be well organized, commented, and maintainable
• Develop code blocks that are to be designed for reuse with standardized devices
• Program and configure facility automation and SCADA applications, connecting to standard networking and databasing configurations
• Create electrical schematics and oversee the build of new industrial electrical control panels which are NFPA79/NEC/UL508A compliant. Select electrical and electromechanical components such as servo motors and controllers.

Minimum Requirements:

• 5+ years experience working with industrial automation hardware and software
• Experience with Siemens PLCs or similar (Allen Bradley, Beckoff, B&R, etc.)
• Experience developing in Ignition or similar (Wonderwear, Thingworx, Grafana, etc.)
• Ability to communicate effectively, both written and verbal
• Ability to work flexibly in a fast-paced environment, collaborating with other functions and departments
• Demonstrated ability to balance requirements of multiple stakeholders and deliver projects on time
• Experience developing safety‑monitored controls for personnel‑operated and unattended equipment
• Ability to perform physical tasks including standing for long periods, working on ladders, kneeling, crouching, working in tight spaces, lifting objects (up to 25 lbs)

Preferred Experience:

• Bachelors' degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering or equivalent technical experience
• Experience operating in ISO 9001 or AS9100 certified organizations
• Experience completing system LOPA
• Experience in hardware-focused organization with hands‑on hardware production, development, and troubleshooting
• Working knowledge of Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)
• Experience developing recipe engines, allowing engineers to enter new automated routines without altering base code
• Understanding or experience with hydraulic/pneumatic systems
• Experience working with hazardous materials, high pressures, and cryogenic systems

Colorado law requires us to tell you the base compensation range of this role, which is $110,000 - $137,000, 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

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.