Senior Controls Engineer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited PTO

Parental leave

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401k with company match

Equity grants

Job summary

Ursa Major in Colorado is seeking a Senior Manufacturing Controls Engineer to lead the design, implementation, and upkeep of automation and SCADA systems across propulsion manufacturing. You will collaborate with multiple engineering and safety teams to deliver robust, safe, and reusable control solutions.

The role emphasizes PLC programming, HMI development, electrical panel design, and real-time data integration, with a focus on operator experience and production efficiency.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience with industrial automation hardware and software.
• Experience with Siemens PLCs or similar (Allen Bradley, Beckhoff, B&R, etc.).
• Experience developing in Ignition or similar (Wonderware, Thingworx, Grafana, etc.).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work flexibly in a fast-paced environment with other functions.
• Proven ability to balance 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, ladders, lifting up to 25 lbs.

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.

Skills

Industrial automation

Siemens PLCs

Ignition

Communication

Team collaboration

Project delivery

Safety controls

Physical tasks

Education

Bachelors in Electrical/CE

Tools

SCADA

HMI

Electrical panels

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

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.