Full-Time
Senior Propulsion Engineer
Design, In-Space
Ursa Major
201-500 employees
Develops propulsion systems for aerospace
Compensation Overview
$95k - $155k/yr
Senior
No H1B Sponsorship
Loveland, CO, USA
In Person
US Citizenship Required
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering
- 5+ years of relevant mechanical design and analysis experience
- Demonstrated proficiency with computer aided design and drafting
- Experience with geometric dimensioning and tolerancing per ASME Y14.5
- Experience performing Finite Element Analysis (FEA / FEM) using commercial codes (e.g., ANSYS, Abaqus, of NASTRAN-based solvers).
- Working knowledge of and hands-on experience with fluid, mechanical, and electrical systems
- Strong understanding of industry standards and requirements including SMC-S-016, and AIAA S-080
- Desire to take ownership and help wherever needed on the team
- Clean sheet design and analysis of spacecraft chemical propulsion components including tanks, valves, thrusters, and tooling
- Design modifications of existing components and prototypes to increase performance, improve manufacturability or resolve limitations
- Collaborate with team members to write, review, and update work instructions for the assembly of spacecraft components as well as establish appropriate acceptance and qualification tests
- Provide guidance on assembly and testing of first article prototypes
- Interface with suppliers to define product requirements and support delivery of hardware
- Technical mentor for less senior members of the team
- Demonstrated proficiency in design for manufacturing for traditional and additive methods
- Experience with hypergolic propulsion systems for spacecraft
- Experience with structural and thermal analysis using Ansys FEA software
- 3+ years of Siemens NX CAD programs and Windchill PLM software
- High Cycle Fatigue Analysis (HCF, crack initiation predicted by a stress-life / SN approach).
- Low Cycle Fatigue Analysis (LCF, crack initiation predicted by a strain-life / e-N approach).
Ursa Major Technologies focuses on creating propulsion systems for the aerospace industry, specifically for space launch vehicles and hypersonic applications. Their engines are designed to be reliable and cost-effective, addressing a major cause of launch failures in the sector. The company serves a variety of clients, including private space companies and government agencies, by providing ready-to-use propulsion solutions that help reduce the financial and technical challenges of developing high-performance engines. Unlike many competitors, Ursa Major emphasizes making space more accessible by offering engines that balance performance and cost. Their goal is to enhance space exploration and hypersonic travel by delivering engines that are ready for deployment, thus facilitating successful launches.
Company Size
201-500
Company Stage
Grant
Total Funding
$274.5M
Headquarters
Berthoud, Colorado
Founded
2015
Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Successful hypersonic test flights demonstrate Ursa Major's technological leadership.
- Contracts with the U.S. Department of Defense boost revenue and market credibility.
- 3D printing accelerates production, enhancing their competitive edge in propulsion systems.
What critics are saying
- Increased competition from established aerospace companies threatens market share.
- Rapid technological advancements may require significant R&D investment to stay competitive.
- Reliance on government contracts exposes them to changes in defense spending priorities.
What makes Ursa Major unique
- Ursa Major specializes in propulsion systems for microsatellite and nanosatellite launches.
- Over 80% of their engines are additively manufactured using innovative materials.
- They focus on cost-effective, reliable propulsion solutions for space and hypersonic applications.
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Benefits
Unlimited Paid Time Off
Paid Parental and Adoptive Leave
Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
Health Savings Account/Flexible Spending Account
Disability Insurance
Life Insurance
Wellness Program
Retirement Savings Plan - Traditional 401(k) and a Roth 401(k)
Company Equity
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
↓ -3%1 year growth
↓ -1%2 year growth
↓ -6%Two Successful Test Flights with Stratolaunch Reach Greater Than Hypersonic Speed and Feature Historic First LandingDENVER, May 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Ursa Major's Hadley liquid rocket engine designed for commercial space and national security needs, successfully achieved sustained hypersonic speeds during two separate tests conducted since late 2024. Both test flights exceeded flight and power objectives for Stratolaunch's Talon-A2 (TA-2) testbed and also featured the successful recovery of the hypersonic testbed vehicle post-landing for re-use."With these successful sustained hypersonic flights, Ursa Major and Stratolaunch are pushing the boundaries of hypersonic technology and building a track record of achievement. Ursa Major is answering the call from our military and government partners to innovate and meet the mission to provide critical national security capabilities, while continuing to assert ourselves as a hypersonics category leader for the warfighter," said Ursa Major CEO Dan Jablonsky.Hadley is a 5,000-pound-thrust (lbf) liquid oxygen and kerosene, oxygen-rich staged combustion cycle reusable rocket engine for small vehicles or hypersonic applications. In addition to the two recent hypersonic flights, Hadley flew its first successful flight, achieving high supersonic speeds with Stratolaunch, completing three successful flights in one calendar year. Hadley enables the U.S. Department of Defense to field new mission solutions faster and advances performance metrics of speed, range, and payload.Hadley is the first product in a family of propulsion systems, including liquid rocket engines, solid rocket motors, and in-space propulsion systems, being designed, developed, and produced by Ursa Major.About Ursa MajorUrsa Major is an aerospace and defense company, providing products and solutions for hypersonic, tactical missile, and space mobility systems
DENVER, March 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Ursa Major has been awarded a contract for delivery of fully integrated GEO propulsion systems for a customer focused on critical space missions. The multi-year award totaling $10 to $15 million supports the development, manufacturing, assembly, integration, and testing of a full propulsion system capable of six degree-of-freedom maneuverability
In 2023, the US Air Force awarded Ursa Major a contract to develop its Draper and Arroway engines.
WASHINGTON - Rocket propulsion startup Ursa Major is accelerating development and testing of its Draper liquid rocket engine in collaboration with U.S. defense agencies and military contractors.
Ursa Major, which has conducted nearly 300 static test fires this year alone, is leveraging its capabilities to produce agile solid rocket motor solutions at an accelerated pace.