Senior Flight Test Engineer

Responsibilities

• Lead integration, checkouts, and static fire testing of hypersonic vehicles and propulsion systems
• Champion Test-Like-You-Fly practices during ground operations at our Berthoud campus and during range operations
• Author, review, and execute procedures for checkouts, propellant load, and hotfire operations
• Lead and support ground and flight operations with a strong emphasis on safety for Ursa Major’s missions, including overseeing other test engineers, operators, and technicians
• Guide data review, failure investigations, and sequence preparation for static fire testing and flight
• Cook up and coordinate with test ranges and external agencies to plan and execute complex flight test campaigns while complying with regulatory and range safety requirements
• Lead customer status updates and milestone reviews for both programmatic and technical content
• Present and provide technical review in customer meetings, integration reviews, and internal technical deep-dives
• Serve as a subject matter expert on Ursa Major’s hypersonic vehicle and propulsion systems
• Troubleshoot complex system and component hardware issues in the field, developing effective solutions with the Ursa team and customer, and lead implementation efforts
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to less experienced team members; contribute to best practices and training resources

Requirements

• B.S. in Engineering
• 5+ years of relevant experience in aerospace systems integration, test, or flight operations
• Demonstrated team leadership and/or project management experience in technical environments
• Passion for developing customer relationships and ensuring mission success
• Unwavering attention to detail, curiosity, and relentless in resolving complex problems
• Substantial hands-on experience with aerospace hardware and test environments
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, startup environment, adapting to evolving priorities
• Willing to spend 30% of the year on travel for multi-week test and flight campaigns

Desired Experience

• Master’s degree in engineering
• Technical expertise in liquid rocket engine manufacturing, integration, or test
• Technical expertise in vehicle stage systems and propulsion fluid systems
• Direct flight or test operational experience
• Deep understanding of aerospace industry standards and requirements
• Experience in systems engineering and requirements verification
• Experience in a mission assurance role
• Significant leadership in customer-facing and/or multi-disciplinary technical teams
• Experience managing and leading engineering teams through test campaigns and complex projects
• Experience working with range requirements for flight test campaigns
• Experience mentoring, coaching, or training other engineers