Skip to content

Quality

Staff Systems Engineer – Safety & Reliability

Ursa Major logoUrsa Major$156,000–$195,000/yrBerthoud, Colorado, United StatesPosted 3w ago
  • Secret clearance

How this pay compares

This posting states $156k–$195k a year. Open quality engineer jobs in Colorado post a median of $129k a year, the middle half $105k–$162k, across 49 jobs that state their pay, so this one is above the middle half of what they post.

Quality engineers and inspectors in Colorado: pay by town and employer

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.

Ursa Major is seeking a Staff Systems Engineer within the SMS Systems Engineering Team to creatively drive safety, reliability, and risk management solutions for our propulsion systems. This role is responsible for the safe design and operation of our rocket motors to ensure they meet the highest standards of performance and safety.

You will work cross-functionally with systems engineering, mission operations, design, test, manufacturing, and program teams to develop robust product safety strategies and ensure successful mission execution.

You will also own the relationship between Ursa Major and DoD Safety Review Boards. ## Key Responsibilities - Develop and implement mission assurance processes to ensure product reliability, safety, and performance - Own the Ursa Major relationship with branch specific Weapon Safety Boards and assist with authoring & presenting motor qualification plans & test reports for WSESRB, JSWRB, etc. approval - Own technical inputs to Interim Hazard Classification (IHC) & Final Hazard Classification (FHC) planning, execution and approval for motor shipments and fielding - Establish and maintain best practices for risk register management across different programs and products; present both internally and externally as required - Work with design and product teams to find creative and efficient solutions to engineering challenges that ultimately reduce product risk; develop system safety requirements for product design - Perform system-level failure assessments (Failure Modes & Effects Analysis (FMEA), Fault Hazard Analysis (FHA), etc.) to inform system design and risk tracking - Establish plans for end-to-end product lifecycle, including but not limited to any required handling restrictions, demilitarization, and disposal - Assist with flight test range safe execution planning - Lead failure investigations - Perform reliability assessments for motor products - Other duties as assigned ## Required Qualifications - Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering or a related field - 8+ years of experience in system safety, mission assurance, or systems engineering - Experience with solid rocket motors, ignition systems, propulsion systems, launch vehicles, or defense aerospace programs - Experience with risk analysis methods (FMEA, FHA, probabilistic risk assessment) - Experience with aerospace industry standards (MIL-STD-882, etc.) - Experience working with cross-functional teams, interfacing with internal/external customers - Demonstrated ability to break down complex problems, strong problem-solving skills and ability to work in a fast-paced development environment - This position requires that the employee be eligible and maintain eligibility for a Secret Clearance Desired Experience - Master’s degree in a relevant technical discipline - Comprehensive knowledge of systems engineering processes, including requirements development and verification - Hands-on experience with testing and validation of high-performance hardware Colorado law requires us to tell you the base compensation range of this role, which is $156,000 - $195,000, 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

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

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 quality and mission assurance jobs in space 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

More quality and mission assurance jobs in space

A quality or mission assurance professional?

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.

Create my profile

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.