Mission Engineer II

Ursa Major

$88K — $110K *
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or related field.
  • 1-3 years of relevant experience in mission operations or testing roles.
  • Strong problem-solving skills in fast-paced environments.
  • Ability to build and maintain relationships with cross-functional teams and customers.
  • Hands-on experience with mechanical, electrical, and fluid systems.
  • Willingness to travel up to 50% of the year for multi-week campaigns.

Responsibilities

  • Act as primary contact between Ursa Major and customer program managers.
  • Define test objectives, oversee execution, and interpret test results.
  • Ensure compliance with test plans and range SOPs throughout test executions.
  • Track milestones and validate program goals during development.
  • Support motor/engine operations with diagnostics and troubleshooting.
  • Develop qualification test plans adhering to systems engineering standards.
  • Assist the safety team with hazardous material documentation and submissions.
  • Operate and modify launcher systems for optimal engine ignition.
  • Support energetics team in planning and executing both on and offsite tests.

Benefits

  • Unlimited PTO including vacation, sick, personal, and bereavement leave.
  • Paid parental and adoptive leave.
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
  • Tax advantage accounts available (HSA/FSA).
  • Employer-paid short and long-term disability insurance.
  • Supplemental options for life insurance and emergency medical transport.
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
  • 401k retirement savings plan with company match.
  • Equity grants in the company.
Full Job Description
Role Overview

The SMS Mission Engineer II will support 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
  • 1-3 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 $88,000 - $110,000, 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
  • Equity Grants in the Company


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.

No outside recruiters, please.

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