Senior Design Engineer, Solid Rocket Motor Ignition Systems

Ursa Major; Berthoud (CO); On-site; USD 121,000 - 151,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited PTO

Parental leave

Health insurance

HSA/FSA

Disability insurance

Life insurance

401k with company match

Job summary

Ursa Major in Colorado is seeking an Ordnance Engineer to lead development and qualification of energetic ordnance components for solid rocket motor applications. You will own design, testing, and procurement documentation, ensuring safety and compliance across the lifecycle.

The role requires deep expertise in initiators, safe-and-arm devices, high-voltage detonators, and flight termination mechanisms, with a DoD Secret clearance a strong plus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related STEM discipline.
• Minimum of 5+ years of direct experience in aerospace ordnance, energetic materials, or rocket motor ignition systems (Level/Title can be adjusted based on experience).
• Working knowledge of MIL-STD-1901, MIL-STD-1576, MIL-DTL-23659, and RCC 319 (Range Safety User Requirements).
• Must be a U.S. Citizen with the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret Security Clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead the engineering lifecycle of energetic ordnance components, including electro-explosive devices (EEDs), igniters, safe-and-arm devices (SADs/ESADs, EISDs) and EBW systems.
• Design, analyze, and integrate ordnance subcomponents for flight termination and stage separation.
• Author technical procurement specifications, SOWs, and ICDs; interface with ordnance sub-tier suppliers.
• Author test plans, procedures, and reports for component-level and system-level ordnance testing; oversee environmental testing.
• Lead RCCA investigations and FMECA for manufacturing anomalies or test failures.
• Partner with Systems Engineering, Safety, Quality Assurance and program teams for safe integration.

Skills

Aerospace ordnance

Ignition systems

FMECA analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

SOW drafting

ICD collaboration

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.

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Ordnance Engineer to join our propulsion engineering team. In this role, you will lead and support the design, development, qualification, and procurement of ordnance systems and components for advanced Solid Rocket Motor (SRM) applications. You will serve as the technical subject matter expert (SME) for ordnance components throughout the entire product lifecycle—from initial concept definition through flight qualification and production support.

The ideal candidate will have deep technical expertise in initiators, ignition systems, safe-and-arm devices, flight/thrust termination systems, and stage separation mechanisms.

Primary Responsibilities

Component Design & Development: Lead the engineering lifecycle of energetic ordnance components, including electro-explosive devices (EEDs), igniters, electronic and mechanical safe-and-arm devices (SADs/ESADs, EISDs), exploding foil devices (LEEFIs) and exploding bridgewire (EBW) systems.

Separation & Termination Systems: Design, analyze, and integrate ordnance subcomponents, including Linear Shaped Charges (LSC) for flight termination (FTS) or thrust termination, as well as exploding bolts, frangible nuts, and pin pullers for stage separation.

Subcontractor & Procurement Technical Management: Author technical procurement specifications, Statements of Work (SOW), and Interface Control Documents (ICDs). Serve as the primary technical interface to ordnance sub-tier suppliers, ensuring compliance with rigorous aerospace standards.

Testing & Qualification: Author test plans, procedures, and reports for component-level and system-level ordnance testing. Oversee environmental testing (vibration, shock, thermal vacuum) and energetic firing tests.

Failure Investigation & Risk Analysis: Lead Root Cause and Corrective Action (RCCA) investigations for ordnance manufacturing anomalies or test failures. Perform Failure Modes, Effects, and Criticality Analysis (FMECA).

Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Systems Engineering, Integration & Test, Safety, Quality Assurance, and programmatic teams to ensure seamless system integration and safety compliance.

Basic Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related STEM discipline.

Experience: Minimum of 5+ years of direct experience in aerospace ordnance, energetic materials, or rocket motor ignition systems (Level/Title can be adjusted based on experience).

Technical Standards: Working knowledge of industry standards such as MIL-STD-1901 , MIL-STD-1576 , MIL-DTL-23659 , and RCC 319 (Range Safety User Requirements).

Security: Must be a U.S. Citizen with the ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Defense (DoD) Secret Security Clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

Active DoD Secret or Top Secret Clearance.

Experience with both hot-gas ignition systems and pyrotechnic ignition strings for large-scale solid rocket motors.

Strong familiarity with High-Voltage Detonators (EBW/EFI)

Experience presenting at formal design reviews (CoDR, PDR, CDR) to internal leadership and military customers (e.g., MDA, US Navy, US Air Force, US Space Force, etc).

Colorado law requires us to tell you the base compensation range of this role, which is $120,720 - $150,900, 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, E&D
• Additional Benefit Options Including Voluntary Life and Emergency Medical Transport
• EAP Program
• Retirement Savings Plan - 401k with Company Match

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.