Senior Ground Support Design Engineer

Ursa Major; Berthoud (CO); On-site; USD 112,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited PTO

Parental leave

Medical, dental and vision

401(k) with company match

Equity grants

Job summary

Ursa Major is seeking a detail-oriented engineer to design and operate fluid and mechanical test systems for rocket engine components and full engine tests. You will drive requirements with engine teams, produce P&ID and CAD outputs, and develop installation and maintenance instructions.

The role demands hands-on hardware experience, strong communication, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced test environment.

Qualifications

• BS degree or higher in engineering (Mechanical or Aerospace preferred).
• 4+ years of experience with piping, facility, or test system design.
• US citizenship required.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both written and verbal.
• Experience in hands-on hardware build and troubleshooting.
• Ability to operate in a high-paced and rapidly changing test environment.
• Ability to evaluate risk and propose recommended paths forward.
• Ability to perform physical tasks including standing for long periods, ladders, kneeling, crouching, and lifting up to 25 lbs.

Responsibilities

• Design and operate fluid and mechanical test systems to support rocket engine component checkouts and engine testing.
• Drive, evaluate, and communicate requirements from engine and component teams.
• Generate piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&ID) and system documentation.
• Create work instructions for installation and maintenance of fluid and mechanical systems.
• Source required components and generate CAD models/drawings.
• Perform system analysis including fluid flow calculations.
• Conduct piping flexibility and structural analyses using FEA.
• Collaborate to ensure instrumentation requirements are tracked and implemented.
• Manage projects to meet objectives and deadlines; present designs in design reviews.
• Evaluate data to ensure proper operation of systems.

Skills

Piping design

Test system design

Hardware troubleshooting

Effective communication

High-paced environment adaptation

Education

BS in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

Caesar II

Bentley AutoPipe

CaePipe

ANSYS

SolidWorks

PTC Creo

Siemens NX

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.

Our products and technologies require an extraordinary team. A team that will mold tomorrow’s technologies while deploying today’s best. We are an intrinsically motivated team that has a passion for solving problems and empowering each other every day to develop our skills, knowing that there is always room for growth.

Ursa Major’s team moves fast and does a lot with little. GSE Design Engineer is an engineer who has a strong work ethic, solid mechanical understanding, and a desire to learn and be a part of a fast moving and high performing team to build and operate industry leading rocket engine test facilities. We expect these engineers to be self-starters with a passion for system design, implementation, and operation. Hands‑on experience is required.

Responsibilities

• Design and operate fluid and mechanical test systems to support rocket engine component checkouts and engine testing
  • Fluids include kerosene, oxygen, nitrogen, helium, and hydrogen at high pressures and cryogenic temperatures
• Technical
  • Drive, evaluate, and communicate requirements from engine and component teams
  • Generation of piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&ID) and overall system level documentation
    • Generation of work instructions for installation and maintenance of fluid and mechanical systems
    • Source required components for these systems
    • Generation of CAD models and drawings
  • Perform system analysis including:
    • Fluid flow analysis with hand calculation, spreadsheet, and computer codes
  • Piping flexibility analysis and structural analysis using FEA
  • Collaborate to ensure instrumentation requirements are tracked and implemented
  • Manage projects to ensure objectives and milestones are completed and tracking to required deadlines or communicated otherwise
  • Document and present designs through the full design review process
  • Evaluation of data to ensure proper operation of fluid and mechanical systems

Required Qualifications

• BS degree or higher in an engineering field (Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering preferred)
• 4+ years of experience with piping, facility, or test system design
• US citizenship required
• Ability to communicate effectively, both written and verbal.
• Experience in hands on hardware build and troubleshooting
• Ability to interact in high paced and rapidly changing test environment
• Ability to evaluate and assess risk positions and provide recommended path forwards
• 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.)

Desired Experiences

• GD&T and CAD experience (Solid Works, PTC Creo, Siemens NX, or similar)
• Familiarity with piping design software (Caesar II, Bentley AutoPipe, CaePipe)
• Familiarity with FEA software (ANSYS preferred)
• Experience with ASME piping codes and common tube and pipe connections
• Familiar with National Fire Protection Association, International Fire Code, International Building Code, and other related regulations
• Experience performing Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), System Safety and Hazards Analysis

Benefits Include:

• Unlimited PTO - Vacation, Sick, Personal, and Bereavement
• Paid maternity/paternity/adoptive leave
• Medical, dental and vision insurance; STD; Life and AD&D
• Retirement Savings Plan - Traditional 401(k) and a Roth 401(k)
• Company stock options

Colorado law requires us to tell you the base compensation range of this role, which is $112,000 - $140,000, 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.