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.
Overview:
The Senior SRM Quality Engineer will be a hands-on, high-ownership role embedded with our Manufacturing, Engineering, and Development teams. This individual will be responsible for proactively integrating quality into products and processes, especially during early-stage development and scaling campaigns. While they may support audits and internal compliance efforts, their primary mission is to ensure product integrity and process control at every step of SRM manufacturing.
Core Responsibilities:
- Serve as the quality point of contact across SRM development and production campaigns.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Engineering, Manufacturing, Development) to embed quality into product design and manufacturing processes from day one.
- Define, implement, and continuously improve quality control processes for:
- Composites layup and cure
- Non-Destructive Testing (X-Ray) and inspection readiness
- Spraying operations (liners, inhibitors, insulation, etc.)
- Additive manufacturing / 3D printing of tooling and components
- Mixing of energetic materials, including binder and propellant formulations
- Casting processes for energetic materials, with tight process control and safety standards
- FOD (Foreign Object Debris) prevention and Cleanliness control
- Chemical Milling (including particle size reduction of energetic materials)
- Any other critical manufacturing or assembly processes relevant to SRM production
- Establish and maintain in-process inspection criteria and checkpoints.
- Lead root cause analysis and rapid containment efforts for nonconformances.
- Develop and implement clear, usable quality documentation (e.g., inspection plans, traveler sign-offs, work instructions).
- Partner with engineering to define inspection methods and acceptance criteria during design.
- Train and coach production personnel in quality standards and best practices.
- Champion a culture of quality, ownership, and continuous improvement on the production floor.
- Willingness to get an employee possessor license from the ATF
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Materials Science, or related field (or equivalent hands-on experience)
- 5+ years of experience in a manufacturing quality engineering role, ideally in aerospace, defense, or energetic materials
- Deep familiarity with process-based quality management and shop-floor integration
- Experience with AS9100 and/or ISO 9001 quality standards
- Strong knowledge of, and experience with, NDT (especially X-Ray)
- Experience working in Cleanroom or FOD-sensitive environments
- Experience working with chemical mixing/energetics manufacture is a plus
- Strong working knowledge of composite layup, cure, and material quality
- Demonstrated ability to operate hands-on in fast-paced environments
- Strong communication, documentation, and problem-solving skills
Reporting & Integration:
This role reports into the Quality organization but is fully integrated with the SRM product and manufacturing teams. Success in this role is measured by defect prevention, effective quality planning, and rapid resolution of process and product issues.
Colorado law requires us to tell you the base compensation range of this role, which is $100,000 - $131,500, 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.
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
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.
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