Senior Instrumentation & Controls Engineer

Ursa Major Event Management & Consultancy; Berthoud (CO); On-site; USD 116,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited PTO

Parental and adoptive leave

Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance

Tax Advantage Accounts (HSA/FSA)

Disability and Life Insurance

401k with company match

Equity grants

Job summary

Ursa Major in Colorado is seeking engineers to design and validate propulsion test systems for high-pressure, hazardous-fluid environments. You will lead instrumentation selection and develop headless cRIO/PXI with SCADA, delivering safe, repeatable processes.

The role requires 5+ years in test/process design, a BS in engineering, and strong LabVIEW and PLC experience. Expect hands-on commissioning, documentation creation, and collaboration across teams in a fast-paced setting.

Qualifications

• BS degree or higher in engineering; Mechatronic/chemical/mechanical preferred.
• 5+ years in test/process system design or related role.
• Experience developing headless cRIO/PXI systems.
• LabVIEW programs integrating non-NI hardware.
• Strong written and verbal communication.

Responsibilities

• Design safety-first systems handling hazardous fluids and high pressures.
• Understand functional test requirements of propulsion subassemblies.
• Lead instrumentation selection across test applications.
• Lead development of headless cRIO/PXI with SCADA.
• Develop LabVIEW programs enabling parallel operation with Siemens PLCs.
• Participate in equipment development considering specs, cost, lead times.
• Hands-on commissioning with engineers and technicians.
• Generate operator manuals and work instructions.
• Contribute to internal production equipment standards.
• Implement networking to interconnect NI/Siemens with SCADA.

Skills

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Flexibility in fast-paced environment

Education

BS degree or higher in engineering

Mechatronic/chemical/mechanical preferred

Tools

LabVIEW

cRIO/PXI systems

Siemens S7 PLCs

Ignition SCADA & HMI

OPCUA/EtherCAT/Profinet

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.

Responsibilities

• Be part of a team designing safety-first systems handling hazardous fluids, powders, and energetics mixtures, as well as high pressures and voltages
• Gain deep understanding of functional test requirements of propulsion subassemblies/components to deliver industry-leading production equipment
• Lead selection of instrumentation across a wide range of test applications
• Lead development of headless-operating cRIO/PXI connected to SCADA layer
• Lead development of LabVIEW programs that allows parallel operation & process validation with Siemens S7 PLCs and enable development operations
• Participate in equipment development with consideration of product specifications, process requirements, layout complexity, cost, and lead-time limits
• Be hands‑on during commissioning, working alongside engineers and technicians
• Generate documentation including operator manuals, and work instructions for operation, troubleshooting, and maintenance
• Contribute to internal production equipment standards and requirements documentation
• Implement networked communications standards to interconnect NI and Siemens hardware together and to the SCADA layer

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience with test/process system design or related role
• BS degree or higher in an engineering field, Mechatronic/chemical/mechanical preferred (suitable experience may be substituted)
• Experience developing headless operating cRIO/PXI systems
• Experience LabVIEW programs integrating non-NI hardware
• 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
• 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

• Demonstrated first-principals approach to instrumentation and process equipment
• Experience working with PLCs (Siemens S7 or other)
• Experience with Ignition SCADA & HMI
• Experience with OPCUA, EtherCat, Profinet, or similar
• Experience with continuous and batch process system design
• Experience in production within ISO 9001 or AS9100 certified organizations
• Experience creating electrical schematics in CAD (Eplan or similar)
• Experience creating P&ID (Eplan or similar)
• Experience designing and building industrial electrical control panels
• Experience designing and building high pressure fluid systems
• Experience with equipment validation, IQ, OQ, PQ, Gauge R&R, or other
• Familiarity with NFPA, NEC, ASME piping codes, and other related standards

Benefits

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

Classification: Full-time Exempt

Colorado law requires us to tell you the base compensation range of this role, which is $116,000 - $145,000, determined by your education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities.

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.