Senior Propulsion Engineer, Fluid & Mechanical Systems Verified today

Ursa Major · Berthoud, CO · Propulsion · first seen 2026-08-12

About the role

You will serve as a core member of Ursa Major's propulsion team, taking immediate ownership of fluid and mechanical system design. You will lead clean sheet design, development, and validation of propulsion hardware, plus provide technical guidance and mentoring on similar projects. Your work spans from initial concept through production-ready design.

Responsibilities

Clean sheet design of fluid and mechanical engine components including gimbals, actuators, valves, and fluid systems
Design modifications of existing components and prototypes to increase performance, improve manufacturability or resolve limitations
Collaborate with other engineers on component design, system sizing, component testing, and system-level architecture
Derive requirements from top level engine and test objectives
Write, review, and update work instructions for component assembly and establish 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
4+ years of relevant mechanical design experience
Electromechanical and pneumatic actuator design experience
Experience testing high-pressure fluid systems
Demonstrated proficiency with computer aided design and drafting
Experience with geometric dimensioning and tolerancing per ASME Y14.5
Strong understanding of industry standards and requirements
Ability to take ownership, 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

Desired experience

Master's or PhD in engineering
Demonstrated proficiency with fundamental manual or CNC machining equipment and processes (milling, turning)
Demonstrated proficiency with basic principles of design for additive manufacturing
Liquid propellant rocket engine design, test, or analysis
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
2+ years of PTC Creo or Siemens NX CAD programs and Windchill PLM software
Direct experience with flight qualification and flight support