Ursa Major was founded to address a critical shortfall in the U.S. industrial base and bring a new model to aerospace and defense systems: we design and manufacture the world’s leading propulsion systems for space, hypersonic applications, and missile systems.
Our products and technologies require an extraordinary team – a team that will mold tomorrow’s technologies while deploying today’s best. We are an intrinsically motivated team that has a passion for solving problems and empowering each other every day to develop our skills, knowing that there is always room for growth.
Weekend shift: Friday, Saturday, Sunday 6:00am – 6:30pm
Ursa Major is seeking a Lead Machinist that is experienced with a range of machines, controls, CAM software and workflows, such that efficient solutions or approaches to never-before-seen manufacturing challenges are clear to you. This person will design efficient workholding for complex components. You’ll need to thrive in a highly dynamic aerospace development environment and can adapt to changing priorities. When stakes are high, you'll pull through and be sure your team is successful.
You will lead a fast-paced, focused, and highly cohesive team. Responsibilities will include rapid and informative feedback to Engineering & Design regarding part manufacturability trades & possibilities. Ursa Major Technologies seeks to be the best at what we do, and a drive for rapid learning and improvement is expected of the entire team. You will report to the Operations Team.
Responsibilities:
- Lead and motivate a team of Machinists to technical excellence in both the development and production of propulsion hardware.
- Establish a culture of Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost (SQDC), in that order.
- Create and maintain the 5S Standard Work to ensure work center cleanliness and organization. Conduct regular self-inspections and assessments to ensure that the manufacturing floor is ALWAYS ready for an outside inspection, regulatory audit, or high-profile tour.
- Create and regularly update the Technician Training Matrix. Ensure that each Technician has a growth plan that aligns to business needs for cross-training and personal strengths.
- Create and maintain an Action Item list, specifying WHO does WHAT by WHEN to ensure the Machine Shop executes each assigned task and completes each goal. Publish visually and review with the Machine Shop Senior Manager each day to drive radical accountability.
- Programming & machining of critical, tight-tolerance rocket engine components, including 3D printed components.
- Work with challenging alloys (nickel superalloys & titanium) and develop core machining strategies for Ursa’s part portfolio
- Programming for milling & turning operations, operation of millturn machines.
- Utilization of probing routines to reduce setup & time required to achieve tight tolerances.
- Contribute to overall shop operations including tool & workholding procurement, equipment maintenance, etc.
- Design & implement palletized, modular, or otherwise rapidly interchangeable workholding solutions for intricate components.
- Appreciate both engineering & manufacturability challenges, provide impactful manufacturing feedback & guidance to the engineering group.
- Work alongside quality inspection to resolve non-conformance root causes and continually improve machining yield & quality
Required Qualifications:
- Must be able to work 12-hour shifts on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays consistently.
- 5+ years’ experience in an aerospace machining or manufacturing environment.
- Prior experience leading a team of machinists in daily direction of the development and production of hardware
- Experience with multi-axis & millturn machines and programming.
- Experience with modern multi-axis CAM packages & toolpath simulation.
- Knowledge of modern high speed machining strategies and tooling.
- Experience with Titanium and high-Nickel aerospace alloys.
Desired Experience:
- Experience with DMG Mori machining
- Experience with hyperMILL CAD/CAM software
- Must be a self-starter - able to interpret high-level organizational goals, plan and execute to those goals without low-level instruction.
- Must be dedicated to keeping Ursa Major Technologies at the bleeding edge of manufacturing through research into the latest improvements to manufacturing precision, efficiency, and eventually automation.
- Must be humble and able to teach your trade across disciplines in order to solve problems and move the team forward.
- Must be dedicated to maintaining high ethical standards and professional codes of conduct; providing a safe space for employees to succeed and fail in.
Colorado law requires us to tell you the base compensation range of this role, which is $36.00 - 57.00/hour, determined by your education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities. The salary range for this role is intentionally wide as we are evaluating individuals based on their unique experience and abilities to fit our needs. Most importantly, we are excited to meet you, and see if you are a great fit for our team. 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 Non-exempt.
Benefits Include:
- 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
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.
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.
Top Skills
Ursa Major Berthoud, Colorado, USA Office
Our one-of-a kind campus co-locates engineering, manufacturing, & testing operations, allowing for unmatched development time and the chance for employees, customers, and investors alike to experience rocket engine testing as a part of the normal work day.
Similar Jobs at Ursa Major
What you need to know about the Colorado Tech Scene
Key Facts About Colorado Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 260,000; 8.5% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: Lockheed Martin, Century Link, Comcast, BAE Systems, Level 3
- Key Industries: Software, artificial intelligence, aerospace, e-commerce, fintech, healthtech
- Funding Landscape: $4.9 billion in VC funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Access Venture Partners, Ridgeline Ventures, Techstars, Blackhorn Ventures
- Research Centers and Universities: Colorado School of Mines, University of Colorado Boulder, University of Denver, Colorado State University, Mesa Laboratory, Space Science Institute, National Center for Atmospheric Research, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Gottlieb Institute