Development Engineer II
- Secret clearance
About the job
## 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.
As Ursa Major continues it's growth within the realm of solid propulsion , we’re assembling an innovative and nimble team in order to bring needed improvements to the SRM industry. Applying the latest technologies to an outdated business model, we are able to improve cost, lead time, and flexibility without impacting reliability.
Ursa Major prioritizes engineering excellence, building in-house capabilities in energetics, ballistics, and composites with an emphasis on novel designs focused on manufacturability and high-rate scalability.
Development engineers are primarily responsible for all aspects of the design, fabrication and test of development prototype hardware for Ursa Major’s solid motor program as well as process development for new and novel approaches to manufacturing.
Success on this team requires an understanding of solid rocket propulsion fundamentals, mechanical and fluid systems, strong critical thinking skills, attention to detail, organization, and effective communication across discipline groups. ## Responsibilities - Clean sheet design of novel solid rocket motor elements with limited guidance from subject matter experts, including relevant analysis. - Lead cross-functional communications to ensure designs satisfy the needs of each stakeholder. - Maintain proper documentation of all designs including design reviews, drawings, test plans, requirements verification, etc. - Evaluate novel manufacturing approaches and support experimentation to validate conceptual approaches. - Coordinate with procurement team to identify potential supply chain risks and mitigate appropriately. - Evaluate new materials for SRM design solutions, including material properties, manufacturability, and supply chain availability - Support the design, fabrication and assembly of prototype hardware and tooling. - Provide dispositions for discrepant hardware including supporting analysis if required. - Develop test plans including required instrumentation and coordinate with test team to execute. - Review test data to ensure the product is operating as expected and support design changes as needed. - Own failure investigations as needed. - Develop and maintain aggressive but achievable product schedules that proactively identify and mitigate high-risk design decisions. - Generate CAD models and drawings that are consistent with internal best practices and ASME Y14.5-2009 using Siemens NX software ## Required Qualifications - Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or other applicable discipline - 2-4 years of professional rocket propulsion experience - Knowledge of solid rocket motor fundamentals - Programming competency in any language - This position requires that the employee be eligible and maintain eligibility for a Secret Clearance. ## Desired Experience - 4-6 years of rocket propulsion experience (e.g., professional experience, university design team, personal project) - Experience handling and testing energetic materials - Experience with energetic material properties testing - Experience with ablative material composition, design, and testing - Programming competency in Python and/or MATLAB and FORTRAN - Experience with CAD modeling (NX preferred) - Experience with chemical kinetics solvers (CEA, CLWire, ProPEP) - Experience with FEA/CFD software packages (ANSYS preferred) - Hands-on hardware experience with fluid/mechanical systems, including design and safety review - DoD Secret Security Clearance or higher.
Colorado law requires us to tell you the base compensation range of this role, which is $90,000 - $115,000, 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 ## 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. ## 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.
From Ursa Major's job posting, checked 7 Nov 2026. The employer's own page is the final word on requirements and availability.
Selected agencies hiring now
Contract Professionals Inc (CPI)Engineering and technical staffing agency
Aerospace and defense staffing firm in Waterford, Michigan, placing engineers, maintenance technicians, mechanics, welders and CNC machinists.
Places: Propulsion, Mechanical, Avionics, RF & Payloads
Moseley Technical ServicesEngineering and technical staffing agency
Engineering and technical staffing firm in Huntsville, Alabama, placing engineers and A&P, sheet metal, CNC and quality technicians.
Places: Propulsion, Mechanical, Avionics, RF & Payloads
These agencies and apps pay SpaceJobs.Now a referral fee when someone we introduce is placed or signs up. It costs you nothing and never changes your pay. Employers' own jobs below keep their own order.
Sponsored jobs from job networks, which pay SpaceJobs.Now when you click one.
Free tools for this application: check your resume against this job, answer the application's questions or see every free tool.
New rocket propulsion and engine jobs in Colorado, by email
One email a week with the newest ones, straight from the employers' own careers sites, with the pay each posting states. Free, stop anytime.
About Ursa Major
American-built propulsion: liquid rocket engines and solid rocket motors.
Pay on its listings: 97.4% of its open jobs state an hourly rate
How it pays: Paid as an employee on Ursa Major's own payroll (salaried or hourly, as each posting states).
More open jobs at Ursa Major
- Additive Manufacturing Technician
- Senior Development Engineer$115,000–$145,000/yr
- Machinist II – Weekend Shift$28.22–$34.50/hr
- Senior Design Engineer, TVC$105,840–$132,300/yr
- Senior Structural Analyst, Propellant Grain$122,000–$152,000/yr
- Senior Business Operations Analyst
More rocket propulsion and engine jobs
- Propulsion Engineer, Components Manufacturing (Raptor)$100,000–$160,000/yr
- Senior Development Engineer$115,000–$145,000/yr
- Studentische Tätigkeit - Konstruktion, Betrieb und Auswertung eines Crawford Strand Burners Designs
- Motor Designer$133,500–$186,899/yr
- Senior Fluids and Propulsion Engineer – Lunar Permanence
- Associate Engineer, Propulsion Operations$88,279–$127,942/yr
Built or tested rocket engines?
One profile for every employer here. Space companies and their recruiters ask us for people with a specific degree, clearance, specialty or location: add yours once, and when a job fits, we introduce you, only with your yes. Free.
Ursa Major openings, sent to you weekly
Each week we send the newest postings from Ursa Major's own careers site, along with similar openings at other space employers. It costs nothing and you can stop anytime.