Ursa Major Technologies
Senior Vehicle Structures Engineer
Ursa Major Technologies, Berthoud, Colorado, United States, 80513
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
Senior Vehicle Structures Engineer
to support hypersonic and advanced vehicle programs.
Ursa Major’s teams move fast and does a lot with little. We are looking for a skilled, fast learning individual who will serve as a central member of member of the team and take immediate ownership of their system as a responsible engineer. This role focuses on the structural design, analysis, and integration of vehicle airframe and propulsion-adjacent structures operating in extreme environments. The ideal candidate will be comfortable moving quickly from concept through flight hardware while collaborating closely with customers and internal engineering teams.
Key Responsibilities
Clean sheet design and analysis of fluid & mechanical vehicle components including tanks, feed systems, propellant management, and fluid systems
Support rapid development cycles of new designs and changing requirements including testing, data analysis and hands‑on hardware work
Design modifications of existing components and prototypes to increase performance, improve manufacturability or resolve limitations
Collaborate with the manufacturing, analysis, and test teams to reduce part-to-part variation and discrepancies
Assemble and test first article prototypes
Design and develop
primary and secondary vehicle structures
for hypersonic and advanced flight vehicles
Perform
structural sizing, trade studies, and margin assessments
across vehicle and propulsion-integrated structures
Conduct
structural analysis
including static, dynamic, vibration, and coupled loads environments
Support
thermal‑structural interactions
in high‑temperature flight regimes
Collaborate with propulsion, systems, thermal, and mission engineering teams to ensure proper structural integration
Interface with
customers and external partners
during design reviews, technical interchange meetings (TIMs), and integrated product team (IPT) meetings
Develop and manage
structural requirements and verification plans
Support manufacturing through
design for manufacturability (DFM)
and producibility considerations
Support
test planning and execution , including ground and flight test structural support
Participate in failure investigations, nonconformance resolution, and continuous design improvement
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
5+ years of experience in
vehicle structures or airframe engineering
Experience supporting
hypersonic, missile, space, or high‑performance aerospace vehicles
Strong fundamentals in:
Structural mechanics and materials
Loads and environments
Structural margins and safety factors
Demonstrated proficiency with computer aided design and drafting
Experience with geometric dimensioning and tolerancing per ASME Y14.5
Experience with
finite element analysis (FEA)
tools (e.g., NASTRAN, Abaqus, ANSYS)
Working knowledge of and hands‑on experience with fluid, mechanical, and electrical systems
Strong understanding of 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
Ability to work effectively in a fast‑paced, hardware‑focused environment
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering
Familiarity with
high‑temperature materials , composites, and metallic structures
Experience with
hypersonic loads, aero‑thermal environments, and TPS integration
Experience supporting
flight test or demonstration vehicles
Experience with
model‑based engineering or digital thread tools
Knowledge of propulsion‑adjacent structures (motor cases, mounts, skirts, thrust structures)
Experience in design and analysis of fluid systems
Experience operating in ISO 9001 or AS9100 certified organizations
Experience with SMC‑S‑016 Test Requirements
Demonstrated proficiency with fundamental manual or CNC machining equipment and processes (milling, turning)
Experience with fluids, structural and thermal analysis using Ansys software
3+ years of PTC Creo or Siemens NX CAD programs and Windchill PLM software
Liquid propellant rocket engine design, test, or analysis
Colorado law requires us to tell you the base compensation range of this role, which is $125,000 - $155,000, 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. Click here for more information about our awesome benefits.
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 - Traditional 401(k) and a Roth 401(k)
Equity Grants in the Company
How To Apply Interested candidates are encouraged to apply by filling out the application below and submitting the 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.
US CITIZENSHIP, PERMANENT RESIDENCY, REFUGEE OR ASYLUM STATUS IS REQUIRED.
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.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
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
Senior Vehicle Structures Engineer
to support hypersonic and advanced vehicle programs.
Ursa Major’s teams move fast and does a lot with little. We are looking for a skilled, fast learning individual who will serve as a central member of member of the team and take immediate ownership of their system as a responsible engineer. This role focuses on the structural design, analysis, and integration of vehicle airframe and propulsion-adjacent structures operating in extreme environments. The ideal candidate will be comfortable moving quickly from concept through flight hardware while collaborating closely with customers and internal engineering teams.
Key Responsibilities
Clean sheet design and analysis of fluid & mechanical vehicle components including tanks, feed systems, propellant management, and fluid systems
Support rapid development cycles of new designs and changing requirements including testing, data analysis and hands‑on hardware work
Design modifications of existing components and prototypes to increase performance, improve manufacturability or resolve limitations
Collaborate with the manufacturing, analysis, and test teams to reduce part-to-part variation and discrepancies
Assemble and test first article prototypes
Design and develop
primary and secondary vehicle structures
for hypersonic and advanced flight vehicles
Perform
structural sizing, trade studies, and margin assessments
across vehicle and propulsion-integrated structures
Conduct
structural analysis
including static, dynamic, vibration, and coupled loads environments
Support
thermal‑structural interactions
in high‑temperature flight regimes
Collaborate with propulsion, systems, thermal, and mission engineering teams to ensure proper structural integration
Interface with
customers and external partners
during design reviews, technical interchange meetings (TIMs), and integrated product team (IPT) meetings
Develop and manage
structural requirements and verification plans
Support manufacturing through
design for manufacturability (DFM)
and producibility considerations
Support
test planning and execution , including ground and flight test structural support
Participate in failure investigations, nonconformance resolution, and continuous design improvement
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
5+ years of experience in
vehicle structures or airframe engineering
Experience supporting
hypersonic, missile, space, or high‑performance aerospace vehicles
Strong fundamentals in:
Structural mechanics and materials
Loads and environments
Structural margins and safety factors
Demonstrated proficiency with computer aided design and drafting
Experience with geometric dimensioning and tolerancing per ASME Y14.5
Experience with
finite element analysis (FEA)
tools (e.g., NASTRAN, Abaqus, ANSYS)
Working knowledge of and hands‑on experience with fluid, mechanical, and electrical systems
Strong understanding of 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
Ability to work effectively in a fast‑paced, hardware‑focused environment
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering
Familiarity with
high‑temperature materials , composites, and metallic structures
Experience with
hypersonic loads, aero‑thermal environments, and TPS integration
Experience supporting
flight test or demonstration vehicles
Experience with
model‑based engineering or digital thread tools
Knowledge of propulsion‑adjacent structures (motor cases, mounts, skirts, thrust structures)
Experience in design and analysis of fluid systems
Experience operating in ISO 9001 or AS9100 certified organizations
Experience with SMC‑S‑016 Test Requirements
Demonstrated proficiency with fundamental manual or CNC machining equipment and processes (milling, turning)
Experience with fluids, structural and thermal analysis using Ansys software
3+ years of PTC Creo or Siemens NX CAD programs and Windchill PLM software
Liquid propellant rocket engine design, test, or analysis
Colorado law requires us to tell you the base compensation range of this role, which is $125,000 - $155,000, 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. Click here for more information about our awesome benefits.
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 - Traditional 401(k) and a Roth 401(k)
Equity Grants in the Company
How To Apply Interested candidates are encouraged to apply by filling out the application below and submitting the 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.
US CITIZENSHIP, PERMANENT RESIDENCY, REFUGEE OR ASYLUM STATUS IS REQUIRED.
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.
#J-18808-Ljbffr