Senior Propulsion Systems Engineer - Mission Assurance

Ursa Major; Berthoud (CO); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 163,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited PTO

Parental leave

Medical, dental & vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Job summary

Ursa Major, a leader in propulsion and defense systems, seeks a Senior Systems Engineer to advance safety, reliability, and risk management for fielded motors. You will collaborate across systems engineering, design, test, and program teams to craft robust safety strategies and ensure mission success.

You will own relationships with DoD safety boards, drive hazard classifications, and help guide risk management across programs—delivering safe, high-performance propulsion solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering or a related field.
• 4+ years of experience in system safety, mission assurance, or systems engineering.
• Experience with solid rocket motors, ignition systems, propulsion systems, launch vehicles, or defense aerospace programs.
• Experience with risk analysis methods (FMEA, FHA, probabilistic risk assessment).
• Familiarity with aerospace industry standards (MIL-STD-882, etc.)
• Experience working with cross-functional teams, interfacing with internal/external customers.
• Demonstrated ability to break down complex problems, strong problem-solving skills and ability to work in a fast-paced development environment.
• This position requires that the employee be eligible and maintain eligibility for a Secret Clearance

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement mission assurance processes to ensure product reliability, safety, and performance
• Own the Ursa Major relationship with branch specific Weapon Safety Boards and assist with authoring & presenting motor qualification plans & test reports for WSESRB, JSWRB, etc. approval
• Own technical inputs to Interim Hazard Classification (IHC) & Final Hazard Classification (FHC) planning, execution and approval for motor shipments and fielding
• Establish and maintain best practices for risk register management across different programs and products; present both internally and externally as required
• Work with design and product teams to find creative and efficient solutions to engineering challenges that ultimately reduce product risk; develop system safety requirements for product design
• Perform system-level failure assessments (FMEA, FHA, etc.) to inform system design and risk tracking
• Establish plans for end-to-end product lifecycle, including any required handling restrictions, demilitarization, and disposal
• Assist with flight test range safe execution planning
• Lead failure investigations
• Perform reliability assessments for motor products
• Other duties as assigned

Skills

System safety

Mission assurance

Systems engineering

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Secret Clearance eligible

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical/Aerospace/Systems Engineering

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

FMEA

FHA

Probabilistic risk assessment

Job description

Ursa Major, a leader in propulsion and defense systems, seeks a Senior Systems Engineer to advance safety, reliability, and risk management for fielded motors. You will collaborate across systems engineering, design, test, and program teams to craft robust safety strategies and ensure mission success.

You will own relationships with DoD safety boards, drive hazard classifications, and help guide risk management across programs—delivering safe, high-performance propulsion solutions.