Senior Materials Engineer (Thermal Protection Systems)

Ursa Major; Galeton (CO); On-site; USD 115,000 - 136,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited PTO

Parental and adoptive leave

Medical, dental and vision insurance

HSA/FSA

Disability & Life insurance

401k with company match

Equity grants

Job summary

Ursa Major, a Colorado-based aerospace and defense company, is seeking a Senior Materials Engineer (TPS) to advance thermal protection systems for SRM propulsion. You will design and analyze materials, run lab experiments, evaluate data, and collaborate across teams to ensure safety and performance in extreme environments.

Applicants should have a BS in materials engineering with ~5 years of experience; master’s degree preferred; familiarity with high-temperature materials and hazardous

Qualifications

• BS in materials engineering with ~5 years’ experience; master’s degree preferred.
• Knowledge of material properties, heat treatment, metallurgy or related discipline.
• Laboratory setting experience running laboratory equipment.
• Experience with elastomeric compounds, ceramic, ablative composite and graphite materials.
• Experience handling hazardous materials.

Responsibilities

• Support material sourcing and selection for the thermal protection system in SRM systems.
• Support, develop, and analyze thermal models for TPS design evaluations based on thermodynamics and heat transfer principles.
• Conduct laboratory scale experiments in a simulated environment to validate materials selection and design.
• Define bonding and mechanical properties for integration of materials into SRM systems.
• Support design development and build configuration through manufacturing validation, for process improvement.
• Drive current fabrication for thermal protection systems and further adapt the technology to drive next generation projects.
• Collaborate with team members of all levels to establish system requirements, accomplish integration goals and manufacturing development.
• Document processes in detail and write work instructions for further development.

Skills

Material properties

Heat treatment

Metallurgy

Laboratory equipment

Elastomeric compounds

Ceramic materials

Ablative composites

Graphite materials

Hazardous materials handling

Education

BS in materials engineering

Master's degree preferred

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.

Ursa Major is currently hiring for a Senior Materials Engineer (TPS) to enhance and support the creation of next generation thermal protection systems in solid rocket motors. Aerospace systems experience corrosive combustion, high temperatures and pressures, and intense mechanical stress. Material selection for each component’s strength, chemical compatibility, and bonding capability is absolutely essential to withstand the extreme environment. An experienced materials engineer is needed to design and conduct simulated experiments, as well as analyze used system components to provide feedback to system design teams.

This individual is required to collect, document, and analyze materials data to provide current and next generation system solutions. Collaboration across interdisciplinary teams is a must to make full use of the data obtained. Compliance with safety standards must also be upheld by any individual. Rigorous standard operating procedures and safety compliance must be followed as a basis for any and all experimentation.

Key Qualifications

• BS in materials engineering and ~5 years’ experience/ preferred master’s degree.
• Knowledge of material properties, heat treatment, metallurgy or relatable discipline.
• Comfortable in a laboratory setting, running laboratory equipment.
• Previous experience with elastomeric compounds, ceramic, ablative composite, and graphite materials.
• Comfortable with hazardous materials and materials handling.

Key Responsibilities

• Support material sourcing, selection for the thermal protection system in SRM systems.
• Support, develop, and analyze thermal models for TPS design evaluations based on thermodynamic and heat transfer principles.
• Conduct laboratory scale experiments in a simulated environment to validate materials selection and design.
• Define bonding and mechanical properties for integration of materials into SRM systems.
• Support design development and build configuration through manufacturing validation, for process improvement.
• Drive current fabrication for thermal protection systems and further adapt the technology to drive next generation projects.
• Collaborate with team members of all levels to establish system requirements, accomplish integration goals and manufacturing development.
• Document processes in detail and write work instructions for further development.

Colorado law requires us to tell you the base compensation range of this role, which is $115,000 - $136,000, 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

• 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

Eligibility Requirements

• 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.