Staff Ground Support Engineer

About the role

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.

Responsibilities

• Integrated Test Systems & Infrastructure Ownership

• Own end-to-end architecture, design, commissioning, and lifecycle sustainment of scalable propulsion test infrastructure supporting multiple solid rocket motor programs across R&D, qualification, and production acceptance phases
• Lead design and integration of fluid systems (high-pressure gas, pneumatic, hydraulic, and GSE), including system architecture, safety-critical design decisions, and interface control across mechanical, electrical, and controls domains
• Define, design and build industrial electrical and controls architecture for propulsion test facilities, including power distribution, grounding/bonding systems, interlock safety, PLC/controls standards, and facility automation
• Own instrumentation and data acquisition architecture across test assets, including sensor strategy, signal integrity standards, calibration frameworks, distributed DAQ system design, and data quality assurance pipelines; ensure decision-grade data reliability from field acquisition through control room consumption
• Serve as the technical authority for static fire campaigns, establishing test readiness criteria, integrated system validation strategy, and structuring anomaly resolution to ensure safe operations and high-confidence test outcomes

Qualifications

• Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline
• 8+ years of experience in propulsion testing, aerospace systems, energy systems, heavy industry, or other high-consequence hardware environments, with demonstrated progression toward system ownership and technical leadership
• Proven experience designing, integrating, commissioning, or operating complex test infrastructure (test stands, GSE, or integrated test systems) for hazardous, high-energy, or tightly coupled electromechanical systems
• Strong proficiency in industrial controls and data systems, including PLC-based control architectures, National Instruments (or equivalent) DAQ systems, and 3D CAD tools (NX, CATIA, SolidWorks, Inventor, or equivalent)
• Deep working knowledge of hazardous system domains, such as energetic materials, high-pressure gas systems, cryogenic systems, or industrial electrical power and protection systems, including their design constraints and failure modes
• Demonstrated ability to lead execution of complex test campaigns, including test readiness, integrated system validation, operational leadership, and post-test analysis with a focus on safety, repeatability, and data integrity
• Ability to obtain explosive permits from the ATF and the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret Security Clearance

• Preferred Qualifications

• Extensive hands-on and architectural experience with static fire test infrastructure, including test stands, hazardous GSE, blast-resistant systems, and integrated fluid, electrical, and controls subsystems in operational test ranges
• Proven ability to design and scale novel or non-standard test infrastructure in ambiguous, resource-constrained, or rapidly evolving development environments, with emphasis on robustness, repeatability, and operational readiness
• Experience driving multi-year infrastructure roadmaps, capital planning efforts, and facility-scale modernization initiatives, translating test and program needs into scalable, long-term technical architecture decisions

Physical Requirements

• Hands-on work in austere and remote propulsion test environments with exposure to loud noise, hazardous materials, outdoor conditions, and hazardous operations
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. and operate hand tools and mechanical equipment as needed
• Ability to support occasional off-shift, weekend, and remote test operations depending on campaign schedules and program needs

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.