Senior Loads & Dynamics Analyst, Solid Missile Systems

Ursa Major; Berthoud (CO); Hybrid; USD 111,000 - 138,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited PTO

Parental and adoptive leave

Medical, dental and vision insurance

401k with company match

Equity grants

Job summary

Ursa Major in Berthoud, Colorado, seeks a Senior Loads & Dynamics Analyst to drive loads development across motors, vehicles, and propulsion systems, guiding verification and validation efforts and mentoring peers. The role supports transitions from development to production in a fast-paced environment.

Candidates bring 5+ years of structural analysis, expertise in dynamic methods, and hands-on experience anchoring models to physical testing.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in mechanical/aerospace engineering or related field.
• 5+ years of structural analysis experience in aerospace or propulsion.
• Experience in solid rocket motors is preferred.
• Ability to mentor peers and work in a fast-paced startup environment.
• Proficiency anchoring analytical models to physical testing.

Responsibilities

• Perform loads development for motor and vehicle programs
• Lead load spectrum development for service life assessment
• Assess motor performance under dynamic loads
• Perform component and system level dynamics analysis
• Develop, verify, and validate structural models
• Work closely with test teams to anchor analytical models
• Propagate loads to vehicle and motor components
• Collaborate to develop company-wide processes, models, and tools
• Assess nonconforming hardware and provide dispositions
• Mentor peers and develop analytical methods

Skills

Loads development

Dynamic analysis

FEM/FEA

Test & validation

Mentorship

Education

BS in mechanical or aerospace engineering

MS in mechanical/aerospace engineering

Tools

ANSYS

Abaqus

NASTRAN

Femap/Nastran

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.

The Senior Loads & Dynamics Analyst will focus on loads development across multiple motors in support of various vehicles, all-up-rounds, and propulsion systems. The ideal candidate will understand and address the unique challenges presented by each application. This position targets an experienced analyst who brings skills and best practices from prior industry experience with a depth of solid rocket motor knowledge and a capability to mentor others. The candidate will be expected to lead verification and validation efforts and provide feedback to the SRM design team. This position requires the ability to support the transition of products from a development environment to low-rate initial production then the ramp to full-rate production. This will include assessment of nonconforming hardware and introduction of processes, practices, and approaches that improve organizational efficiency. The ideal candidate will have the ability to expand into adjacent analyses, such as thermo-structural analysis, to support a multi-disciplinary analysis team. This role is available to work as a hybrid or on-site role out of our Berthoud, Colorado office.

Responsibilities:

• Perform loads development for motor and vehicle programs
• Lead load spectrum development for service life assessment
• Assess motor performance under dynamic loads such as random vibration and shock
• Perform component and system level dynamics analysis
• Develop, verify, and validate structural models
• Work closely with test teams; identify test activities and instrumentation necessary to anchor analytical models
• Propagate loads to vehicle and motor components
• Collaborate with engineering teams to develop company-wide processes, models, and tools that meet requirements and comply with structural standards
• Collaborate with the manufacturing team to assess nonconforming hardware for development and flight components and provide recommended dispositions and repairs
• Develop, build, and improve analytical methods and tools
• Provide professional development, mentorship, and technical guidance to peers

Minimum Experience/Requirements:

• B.S. degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a comparable field
• 5+ years of experience performing structural analysis
  • Note: Ursa Major is considering candidates for this position at multiple levels. Based on your experience, we may be able to adjust the level of the role along with the associated compensation range accordingly.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced startup environment
• Expertise in dynamic analysis methods (structural dynamics, dynamic loads, acoustics, modal, random and sine vibration, and shock response)
• Experience in loads development for vehicle and/or motor applications
• Experience anchoring analytical models to physical testing

Ideal Experience/Requirements:

• M.S. degree or higher in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a comparable field, ideally focusing on solid mechanics, fatigue, fracture, or structural dynamics
• GFEM development and model grounding experience
• Low Cycle Fatigue Analysis (LCF, crack initiation predicted by a strain-life/e-N approach)
• Experience performing Finite Element Analysis (FEA/FEM) using commercial codes (e.g., ANSYS, Abaqus, or NASTRAN-based solvers)
• Experience with Femap/Nastran
• Fracture analysis (crack growth/safe-life and assessing for instability via LEFM, ideally with prior experience using NASGRO)
• Experience with the ANSYS FEA suite
• Experience with defining solid rocket motor self-induced dynamic environments
• Experience taking components through dynamic acceptance and qualification testing
• A strong theoretical background in heat transfer, fluid mechanics, and/or compressible flow
• Prior experience working on safety-critical systems in production environments
• Experience supporting failure investigations and root-cause analysis
• A track record of working efficiently in fast-paced engineering environments
• A track record of effective oral and written communications to support recommendations
• Thermal-structural static analysis experience particularly dealing with nonlinear materials and large strains
• Knowledge of composite materials, insulation, and ablative thermal protection systems

Colorado law requires us to tell you the base compensation range of this role, which is $111,000 - $138,000, 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.