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 an exceptional leader to serve as President, Liquid Systems. This is a critical executive role responsible for the full lifecycle of our liquid propulsion portfolio. This leader will oversee: Cryogenic Engines, Hypersonics, In-Space, and Core Engineering (encompassing analysis, test, avionics, and other shared services). Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the President of Liquid Systems will set technical strategy, drive execution, and build the teams and culture needed to deliver breakthrough propulsion products at speed and scale.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic ownership of all liquids products at Ursa. This includes long term planning (LRP and AOP), team alignment, P&L ownership, and execution of Ursa’s vision.
- Operational leadership and growth of a cross functional program management and engineering team.
- Front end capture and engagement efforts to grow reliable bookings.
- Transformational leadership of Ursa’s flagship hypersonic platform, HAVOC, converting it into a high rate, low cost, program of record hypersonic weapon/interceptor/target.
- Continued, 100% mission success reputation for in-field performance of all liquids products.
Strategic Leadership
- Develop, refine, and execute the long-range technical and business strategy for all liquid systems programs, aligned with Ursa Major's corporate mission and growth objectives.
- Serve as a key member of the executive leadership team, contributing to company-wide strategy, resource allocation, and organizational development.
- Represent Ursa Major's liquid systems capabilities to customers, investors, government partners, and the broader aerospace community.
- Champion a culture of safety, customer focused innovation, engineering rigor, and velocity across all teams.
Organizational Oversight
- Provide executive leadership and direction across: Cryogenic Engines, Hypersonics, In-Space, and Core Engineering.
- Set clear goals, priorities, and performance expectations for each IPT and its leadership team.
- Recruit, develop, and retain world-class engineering and program leadership talent across the liquid systems portfolio.
- Foster cross-functional collaboration between the IPTs, , Operations, and Business Growth teams.
Program & Product Execution
- Own end-to-end delivery of liquid propulsion products from concept through production and field support.
- Drive appropriate program management and risk practices to meet schedule, cost, and performance commitments across all active programs.
- Ensure robust systems engineering, test, and verification processes that maintain the highest standards of safety and reliability.
- Lead technical reviews, milestone gates, and risk management processes across the liquid systems portfolio.
Customer & Stakeholder Engagement
- Serve as the senior technical and executive point of contact for key customers in commercial space, Department of Defense, and other government programs.
- Lead business development activities in partnership with the CEO and commercial teams, including proposal strategy, customer negotiations, and contract execution.
- Build and maintain relationships with government agencies including the U.S. Air Force, Space Force, DARPA, NASA, and other key stakeholders.
Financial & Operational Management
- Develop and own the liquid systems P&L for the annual operating plan as well as the Long Rand Plan with all the levers at your disposal including program budgets, risk management, headcount planning, capital expenditures, and revenue generation. .
- Drive operational excellence, continuous improvement, and strong customer alignment across the entire organization supporting liquid systems.
- Qualifications
Required
- 15+ years of progressive engineering and leadership experience in aerospace, defense, or adjacent high-technology industries. 5+ years as a senior executive of a P&L business unit with a demonstrated track record of achieving high profitable revenue growth while building and leading dynamic, customer focused, and industry leading technical organizations.
- Strong track record of leading a business in delivering complex hardware programs on schedule and within budget in fast-paced, resource-constrained environments.
- Demonstrated ability to lead, develop, and inspire high-performing engineering organizations of significant size and complexity.
- Experience growing business with U.S. government customers, including DoD, NASA, or intelligence community program offices.
- Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or a closely related technical discipline.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance.
- U.S. Citizenship required (ITAR).
Preferred
- Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in a relevant engineering discipline.
- Experience in a startup or high-growth technology company, with the ability to deal with a high degree of ambiguity and focus the organization on a successful strategy and operate with speed and adaptability.
- Prior experience in commercial launch, in-space transportation, or advanced defense propulsion programs.
- Experience scaling engineering organizations through periods of rapid growth and technology transition
Colorado law requires us to tell you the base compensation range of this role, which is $300,000 - $340,000, 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.
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 - 401k with Company Match
- Equity Grants in the Company
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.
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
