Senior Propulsion Engineer, Combustion Devices
- Salary
- $121,000 - $152,000
- Level
- Senior
Not stated in the posting: work type, visa.
Open. First seen 2 October 2026.
About the role
Ursa Major's standard text
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’s teams moves fast and do a lot with little. We are looking for a skilled, fast-learning individual who will serve as a central member of the team and take immediate ownership of rocket engine design efforts as a responsible engineer. This role will be part of the technical organization, responsible for clean sheet system design, development, and validation of a variety of propulsion hardware, as well as technical guidance and mentoring of a team responsible for engine hardware.
Candidates will be expected to have ownership from the initial concept phase to a production-ready design.
Responsibilities:
- Liquid rocket engine system design and analysis, including performance predictions and packaging to meet requirements
- Clean sheet design and system integration of engine components
- Design modifications of existing components and prototypes to increase performance, improve manufacturability, or resolve limitations
- Mentor other engineers at Ursa Major on topics including design of components, system sizing, component testing, and system-level architecture and development for multiple engine programs
- Derive requirements from top level engine and test objectives
- Write, review, and update work instructions for the assembly of engine components as well as establish appropriate acceptance and qualification tests
- Assemble and test first article prototypes
- Work closely with interfacing teams to ensure successful integration of component designs into the engine system. Support validation and recursive design during engine development.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering
- 5+ years of relevant mechanical design experience
- Liquid propellant rocket engine design, test, or analysis
- Demonstrated proficiency with computer aided design and drafting
- Experience with geometric dimensioning and tolerancing per ASME Y14.5
- Working knowledge of and hands-on experience with fluid, mechanical, and electrical systems
- Strong understanding of aerospace and defense industry standards and requirements
- Desire to take ownership and help wherever needed on the team
- Able to delegate tasks and lead large project scope
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and stay flexible based on customer demands and company priorities along with daily firefighting
Desired Experience
- Master's or PhD in mechanical or aerospace engineering
- Prior track record leading technical teams
- Demonstrated proficiency with basic principles of design for additive manufacturing
- Demonstrated proficiency with fundamental manual or CNC machining equipment and processes (milling, turning)
- Familiarity with closed cycle rocket engines
- Experience operating in ISO 9001 or AS9100 certified organizations
- Experience with SMC-S-016 Test Requirements
- Experience with structural, fluids, and thermal analysis using Ansys FEA software
- 5+ years of PTC Creo or Siemens NX CAD programs and Windchill PLM software
- Component testing and validation experience in both low and high energy states
- Direct experience with flight qualification and flight support
Colorado law requires us to tell you the base compensation range of this role, which is $121,000 - $152,000, 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)
Ursa Major's standard text
- 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.
Ursa Major's standard text
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.
What this role asks for
Particular to this role
Creo
Rare in Ursa Major's other 63 open postings.
69% of this description is written for the role. The rest is Ursa Major's standard text, folded away below.
Read against Ursa Major's other open postings on this site.
The team: Engineering HIRES STEADILY
This role is one of 40 open in Engineering. 12 were posted in the last 30 days and the oldest in February: a team that hires all year rather than one being built.
WHAT THE TEAM WORKS WITH, ACROSS ITS POSTINGS
ANSYS (17 of 40), Siemens NX (13 of 40), FEA (12 of 40), GD&T (10 of 40), Creo (8 of 40), Python (4 of 40), LabVIEW (2 of 40)
OTHER ROLES ON THIS TEAM
- Manufacturing Engineer II posted Oct 16
- Senior Mission Integration Engineer posted Oct 14
- Staff Systems Engineer – Safety & Reliability posted Oct 14
- Ballistics Analyst, II posted Oct 7
- Systems Engineer posted Oct 7
- Loads and Dynamics Analyst, II posted Oct 7
- Senior Structural Analyst posted Oct 7
- Senior Design Engineer, Solid Rocket Motor Ignition Systems posted Oct 7
- Avionics Test Manager posted Sep 29
- Senior Systems Engineer, In-Space posted Sep 29
- Senior Propulsion Engineer, Tanks posted Sep 29
- Development Research Engineer I, Energetics posted Sep 22
- Electromechanical Engineer II posted Sep 15
- Staff Design Engineer, Solid Rocket Motor Cases posted Sep 14
- Turbomachinery Engineer II posted Sep 9
- Staff Design Engineer, Solid Rocket Motor Nozzles posted Sep 3
- Senior Design Engineer, Solid Rocket Motor Cases posted Aug 26
- Design Engineer II, Solid Rocket Motors posted Aug 26
- Senior Maintenance Engineer posted Aug 26
- Senior Systems Engineer posted Aug 18
- Senior Mission Engineer posted Aug 18
- Propellant Development Engineer II posted Aug 18
- Staff Instrumentation & Controls Engineer posted Aug 18
- Industrial Engineer II posted Aug 17
- Staff Fluid System Manufacturing Engineer posted Aug 13
- Senior Manufacturing Engineer posted Aug 13
- Propulsion Engineer, Fluid & Mechanical Systems posted Aug 11
- Senior Propulsion Engineer, Fluid & Mechanical Systems posted Aug 11
- Chief Engineer, Hypersonic Missile and Interceptor posted Aug 6
- Senior Turbomachinery Engineer posted Jul 16
- Staff Turbomachinery Engineer posted Jul 16
- Senior Manufacturing Engineer - AP Milling posted Jul 16
- Propulsion Engineer (Vehicle) posted Jul 14
- Development Engineer II posted Jun 26
- Program Chief Engineer, Solid Missile Systems posted Jun 26
- Propulsion Engineer II (Vehicle) posted Jun 19
- Senior Materials Engineer posted Jun 5
- Propellant Tank Responsible Engineer - In-Space posted May 29
- Senior Systems Engineer posted Feb 2
From the team and dates on Ursa Major's own job board.
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