Senior Mission Engineer

Ursa Major Event Management & Consultancy; Berthoud (CO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited PTO

Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance

401k with Company Match

Equity options

Job summary

Ursa Major is seeking a Senior Mission Engineer to lead external success of SRM products, planning and executing flight campaigns, motor qualification testing, and offsite energetic material testing. You will interface with external partners and internal teams to ensure mission success while protecting the Ursa Major brand.

The role requires 4+ years in mission operations or related fields, a technical degree, and up to 50% travel.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
• 4+ years of mission operations or test engineering experience.
• Ability to build trust and professional relationships with cross-functional stakeholders.
• Willing to travel up to 50% of the year for multi-week campaigns.
• Working knowledge of electrical, fluid, and mechanical systems.

Responsibilities

• Serve as contact between Ursa Major and customer program manager/flight test lead.
• Shape test objectives, oversee execution, interpret results, and communicate insights to customers.
• Ensure compliance with test plans and hardware work instructions.
• Generate and track program mission objectives/milestones and assist in validation.
• Support motor/engine operations, including test stand readiness and diagnostics.
• Generate internal qualification test plans following the program qualification plan.
• Obtain data for SRM safety and facilitate documentation submission.
• Operate and modify launcher platform systems and understand ignition chains.
• Support energetic material testing and offsite validation.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Mission operations

Relationship building

Team communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering

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 Mission Engineer will lead the external success of SRM products that leave the Ursa Major campus (or other sub campuses). As a Mission Engineer, you will be planning and executing flight campaigns, motor qualification campaigns, offsite energetic material testing, motor integration, verification, and validation (IV&V). To support these missions, you will interface with various external industry partners, conducting hot fire motor/engine tests, participate in data reviews, support troubleshooting efforts related to motor/engine tests, drive rocket motor/engine test campaign success, and interface with all relevant internal disciplines to bring those expertise into the field all while advocating and protecting the Ursa Major brand and reputation when conducting operations in the field.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as point of contact between Ursa Major and customer program manager/flight test lead
• Shape test objectives, oversee execution, interpret results, comply with test range requirements and communicate clear technical insights to customers
• Ensure execution of and compliance with test plans, qualification requirements and hardware work instructions developed by Ursa Major and customers while complying with external test range SOPs
• Generate and track program mission objectives/milestones and assist in the technical validation of program milestones and adherence of those objectives throughout the program lifecycle
• Support complex motor/engine operations, including test stand readiness, system checkouts, instrumentation troubleshooting, and field diagnostics
• Generate internal qualification test plans/procedures that follow the program qualification plan and comply with systems engineering to satisfy product requirements
• Obtain and provide data to SRM safety team for the generation of hazardous shipping documentation of SRM products (i.e.: IHC, FHC, EX) and facilitate the submission process
• Operate and modify launcher platform systems and understand how systems interact with ignition chain of motor/engine
• Support and assist the energetics team in the handling, planning, and execution of testing both on and offsite in support of energetic material classification testing
• Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field
• 4+ years of mission operations, test engineer, or other relevant experience
• Ability to earn trust, build rapport and maintain positive and professional relationships with cross-functional stakeholders and customers
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work in a fast-paced development environment
• Working knowledge of and hands-on experience with electrical, fluid, and mechanical systems
• Willing to spend up to 50% of the year on travel for multi-week test and flight campaigns

Desired Experience

• Master’s degree in a relevant technical discipline
• Experience interfacing with DoD programs and partners
• Experience with hazardous operations and system safety
• Experience with qualification efforts on aerospace systems or DoD platforms
• SRM or other propulsion system design, development, or test
• Technical expertise in liquid and/or solid rocket motor/engine manufacturing, integration, or test
• Ability to be eligible and maintain eligibility for a Secret Clearance

Colorado law requires us to tell you the base compensation range of this role, which is $120,000 - $150,000, 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:

• 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.

No outside recruiters, please.