Senior Mission Engineer

Ursa Major; Boulder (CO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited PTO

Parental and adoptive leave

Medical, dental & vision insurance

401k with company match

Job summary

Ursa Major in Boulder, CO seeks a Senior Mission Engineer to lead external success of solid rocket motors and propulsion systems. You will plan and execute flight campaigns, motor qualification tests, and offsite energetic material testing, interfacing with external partners and internal teams to ensure safe, compliant operations in the field.

You will manage test objectives, data reviews, and troubleshooting, while safeguarding Ursa Major's brand and reputation during field activities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering required.
• 4+ years in mission operations, test engineering, or related experience.
• Ability to build trust with cross-functional stakeholders and customers.
• Strong problem-solving skills for fast-paced development.
• Hands-on experience with electrical, fluid, and mechanical systems.
• Up to 50% travel for multi-week campaigns.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the point of contact between Ursa Major and customer flight test leads.
• Define test objectives, oversee execution, interpret results, and communicate insights.
• Ensure adherence to test plans, qualification requirements, and SOPs.
• Develop program milestones and assist in technical validation throughout the lifecycle.
• Support motor/engine operations, stand readiness, instrumentation, and diagnostics.
• Create qualification test plans following the program qualification plan.
• Provide data to SRM safety for hazardous shipping documentation and submissions.
• Operate and modify launcher platform systems and ignition chains.
• Assist energetics team with testing on- and offsite for energetic material classification.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Travel readiness

Mechanical systems knowledge

Electrical systems knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Master's degree in a relevant technical discipline

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: (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

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.