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Power Systems Engineer
Berthoud, CO

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Ursa Major

Senior Design Engineer, Solid Rocket Motor Ignition Systems

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Job Description

Lead the design, development, qualification, procurement, testing, and production support of ordnance components for solid rocket motors. Responsibilities include designing ignition, safe-and-arm, separation, and termination systems; managing technical supplier interfaces; authoring specifications and test documentation; overseeing environmental and energetic testing; investigating failures; performing risk analyses; and collaborating across systems engineering, safety, quality, and integration teams. The summary above was generated by AI 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. We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Ordnance Engineer to join our propulsion engineering team. In this role, you will lead and support the design, development, qualification, and procurement of ordnance systems and components for advanced Solid Rocket Motor (SRM) applications. You will serve as the technical subject matter expert (SME) for ordnance components throughout the entire product lifecycle—from initial concept definition through flight qualification and production support. The ideal candidate will have deep technical expertise in initiators, ignition systems, safe-and-arm devices, flight/thrust termination systems, and stage separation mechanisms.

Primary Responsibilities Component Design & Development:

Lead the engineering lifecycle of energetic ordnance components, including electro-explosive devices (EEDs), igniters, electronic and mechanical safe-and-arm devices (SADs/ESADs, EISDs), exploding foil devices (LEEFIs) and exploding bridgewire (EBW) systems.

Separation & Termination Systems:

Design, analyze, and integrate ordnance subcomponents, including Linear Shaped Charges (LSC) for flight termination (FTS) or thrust termination, as well as exploding bolts, frangible nuts, and pin pullers for stage separation.

Subcontractor & Procurement Technical Management:

Author technical procurement specifications, Statements of Work (SOW), and Interface Control Documents (ICDs). Serve as the primary technical interface to ordnance sub-tier suppliers, ensuring compliance with rigorous aerospace standards.

Testing & Qualification:

Author test plans, procedures, and reports for component-level and system-level ordnance testing. Oversee environmental testing (vibration, shock, thermal vacuum) and energetic firing tests.

Failure Investigation & Risk Analysis:

Lead Root Cause and Corrective Action (RCCA) investigations for ordnance manufacturing anomalies or test failures. Perform Failure Modes, Effects, and Criticality Analysis (FMECA).

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

Partner with Systems Engineering, Integration & Test, Safety, Quality Assurance, and programmatic teams to ensure seamless system integration and safety compliance.

Basic Qualifications Education:

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related STEM discipline.

Experience:

Minimum of 5+ years of direct experience in aerospace ordnance, energetic materials, or rocket motor ignition systems (Level/Title can be adjusted based on experience).

Technical Standards:

Working knowledge of industry standards such as

MIL-STD-1901 , MIL-STD-1576 , MIL-DTL-23659

, and RCC 319 (Range Safety User Requirements).

Security:

Must be a U.S. Citizen with the ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Defense (DoD) Secret Security Clearance. Preferred Qualifications Active DoD Secret or Top Secret Clearance. Experience with both hot-gas ignition systems and pyrotechnic ignition strings for large-scale solid rocket motors. Strong familiarity with High-Voltage Detonators (EBW/EFI) Experience presenting at formal design reviews (CoDR, PDR, CDR) to internal leadership and military customers (e.g., MDA, US Navy, US Air Force, US Space Force, etc). Colorado law requires us to tell you the base compensation range of this role, which is $120,720 - $150,900, 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 How To Apply:

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply by filling out the application below and clicking "Submit Application". This position will be posted for a minimum of 3 days and will remain open until filled or adjusted based on the volume of applicants.

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. No outside recruiters, please. Read Full Description Ursa Major Berthoud, Colorado, USA Office Our one-of-a kind campus co-locates engineering, manufacturing, & testing operations, allowing for unmatched development time and the chance for employees, customers, and investors alike to experience rocket engine testing as a part of the normal work day. Similar Jobs at Ursa Major Ursa Major Ballistics Analyst, II Yesterday In-Office Berthoud, CO, USA 82K-102K Annually Junior 82K-102K Annually Junior Aerospace

• Defense Performs solid rocket motor ballistics analysis, develops and validates computational tools, reviews test data, supports energetic materials modeling and testing, investigates failures, and presents technical findings to government and commercial customers. The role contributes to propulsion design, manufacturing support, production deviation resolution, and applied R D while collaborating with cross-functional teams.

Top Skills:

C++ Clwire Fortran Matlab Python Spp Ursa Major Senior Structural Analyst Yesterday In-Office Berthoud, CO, USA 116K-145K Annually Senior level 116K-145K Annually Senior level Aerospace

• Defense Performs high-fidelity structural, thermal-stress, dynamic, and finite element analyses for solid rocket motor components. Develops and validates analytical models, correlates results with test data, supports design and manufacturing decisions, investigates failures, prepares technical documentation, and mentors analysis engineers. Collaborates with design, manufacturing, and test teams to support development, qualification, production, and continuous improvement of safety-critical aerospace propulsion systems.

Top Skills:

Abaqus Ansys Finite Element Analysis (Fea) Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics (Lefm) Low-Cycle Fatigue Analysis (Lcf) Nastran Ursa Major Loads and Dynamics Analyst, II Yesterday In-Office Berthoud, CO, USA 87K-109K Annually Junior 87K-109K Annually Junior Aerospace

• Defense Performs loads development, load spectrum development, structural dynamics analysis, and model validation for aerospace propulsion and vehicle programs. Assesses motor performance under vibration and shock, propagates loads to components, supports testing and instrumentation, and evaluates nonconforming hardware. Requires structural analysis experience, dynamic loads expertise, and a mechanical or aerospace engineering degree. Preferred experience includes FEA, NASTRAN, ANSYS, Abaqus, fatigue analysis, and thermal-structural analysis.

Top Skills:

Abaqus Ansys Fea/Fem Femap Gfem Low-Cycle Fatigue Analysis Modal Analysis Nastran Random Vibration Shock Response Structural Dynamics What you need to know about the Colorado Tech Scene With a business-friendly climate and research universities like CU Boulder and Colorado State, Colorado has made a name for itself as a startup ecosystem. The state boasts a skilled workforce and high quality of life thanks to its affordable housing, vibrant cultural scene and unparalleled opportunities for outdoor recreation. Colorado is also home to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, helping cement its status as a hub for renewable energy innovation.

Key Facts About Colorado Tech Number of Tech Workers:

260,000; 8.5% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)

Major Tech Employers:

Lockheed Martin, Century Link, Comcast, BAE Systems, Level 3

Key Industries:

Software , artificial intelligence , aerospace , e-commerce , fintech , healthtech

Funding Landscape:

$4.9 billion in VC funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)

Notable Investors:
Access Venture Partners, Ridgeline Ventures, Techstars, Blackhorn Ventures Research Centers and Universities:

Colorado School of Mines, University of Colorado Boulder, University of Denver, Colorado State University, Mesa Laboratory, Space Science Institute, National Center for Atmospheric Research, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Gottlieb Institute

Benefits

  • Paid Time Off (PTO)
  • 401(k) Plans
  • Other Retirement and Savings
  • Health and Wellness Programs