Senior Propulsion Engineer

10h10 hours ago

Ursa Major

Berthoud, US · Full-time · $125,000 – $155,000

About this role

Ursa Major seeks a Senior Propulsion Engineer to lead clean sheet design and development of liquid rocket engine systems. This role involves full ownership from initial concept through production-ready designs for critical aerospace and defense applications. The position centers on propulsion hardware that addresses urgent national security needs in hypersonics and satellite systems.

Daily work includes deriving requirements from engine objectives and leading system design with performance predictions and packaging analysis. The engineer will define test campaigns, establish work instructions for assembly, and coordinate acceptance and qualification testing. Integration with operations and supply chain ensures producibility and repeatability from first builds onward.

The technical organization moves fast while applying rigor to deliver world-class products. Engineers see results of their efforts two to three times faster than at traditional aerospace companies. The role includes technical guidance and mentoring for hardware teams alongside direct customer vehicle integration.

Ownership extends through risk mitigation at test readiness and flight readiness reviews. Successful candidates will drive engine integration into target customer systems and lead top-level design reviews. This environment rewards those who take immediate ownership across the full development cycle.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering
5+ years of relevant mechanical design experience
Demonstrated proficiency with computer aided design and drafting
Experience with geometric dimensioning and tolerancing per ASME Y14.5
Working knowledge of and hands-on experience with fluid, mechanical, and electrical systems
Strong understanding of aerospace and defense industry standards and requirements
Able to delegate tasks and lead large project scope
Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret Clearance

Responsibilities

Own execution of development, successful test campaign, and customer vehicle integration for liquid rocket engine systems on schedule and within budget.
Derive requirements from top-level engine and test objectives.
Ensure work instructions are written, reviewed, and updated for engine component assembly and establish acceptance and qualification tests.
Lead the engineering team through liquid rocket engine system design and analysis, including performance predictions and packaging to meet requirements.
Enable and own clean sheet design and system integration of engine components.
Define and drive engine and component test campaigns, setting key objectives and leading the team to achieve them.
Work with operations, test, and supply chain to achieve producibility, design-to-cost, testability, and performance repeatability targets.
Own risk mitigation during development, test readiness, and flight readiness review processes.