Test Engineer, Solid Missile Systems

Ursa Major is redefining how solid rocket motors are developed, tested, and delivered for modern defense applications. As we expand into this critical domain, we're building a fast-moving, high-accountability team to challenge decades of stagnation in solid propulsion. This is not legacy aerospace—this is hands-on engineering in a dynamic, high-stakes test environment where safety, speed, and precision matter.

As a Test Engineer on our Solid Rocket Motor team, you’ll lead the design and execution of static fires, environmental tests, and flight readiness campaigns. You’ll work directly with energetic materials and high-performance propulsion hardware, ensuring every test yields the data we need to iterate rapidly and scale confidently. If you're a builder, a problem-solver, and thrive where complexity meets urgency—this is your opportunity to shape the future of solid propulsion at Ursa Major.

Key Responsibilities

Flawless Test Design, Execution and Documentation

• Lead static fire campaigns, including system activation, test operations, real-time monitoring, and anomaly resolution.
• Develop and maintain detailed test plans, procedures, and safety documentation.
• Design and build test setups for a variety of test articles, including structures, tooling, fluid-mechanical infrastructure, and control systems.
• Work closely with skilled technicians for fabrication and integration of test hardware.
• Generate clear and concise test data to support design iterations and flight readiness.
• Analyze test data to evaluate system reliability, failure modes, and recommend corrective actions.

Safety and Operational Excellence

• Uphold strict safety standards and explosive handling protocols.
• Maintain all required trainings and certifications, including explosives safety.
• Develop novel processes, test infrastructure, and automation tools to accelerate test cadence and improve safety.
• Operate and troubleshoot fluid-mechanical systems handling low to high-pressure gases, solid propellants, and cryogens.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate closely with engineering, manufacturing, and quality teams to ensure test coverage aligns with program or flight campaign needs.
• Contribute to and own the design and improvement of future test stands, ground support equipment, and instrumentation packages.
• Enable rapid feedback loops between test results and design iterations to support manufacturability and scalability.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Electrical Engineering (or related engineering discipline).
• 1+ Years of hands-on experience in rocket testing, test operations, or similar hardware development environments (internships, Formula / Baja SAE, rocket clubs, or lab projects qualify).
• Ability to obtain explosive permits from the ATF and the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment

• This position requires the employee to be eligible for a Secret Clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• 3+ years experience in propulsion or hardware testing, including structures, explosives, solid rocket motor or high-pressure fluid systems.
• Strong working knowledge of hazardous systems: energetics, cryogenics, hypergolic, flammable, or pyrophoric materials.
• Familiarity with high-pressure fluid systems, structural components, valves, and instrumentation (e.g., pressure transducers, load cells, thermocouples, RTDs, strain gauges).
• Experience with 3D CAD software (NX, Inventor, CATIA, SolidWorks).
• Demonstrated ability to write and maintain test procedures, configuration files, and hardware work instructions.
• Creative, resourceful, and comfortable designing novel test setups from scratch under dynamic constraints.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Willingness to work in test facility environments with exposure to loud noises, hazardous materials, and outdoor conditions.
• Able to lift up to 50 lbs and operate hand tools and mechanical equipment as needed.
• Occasional off-shift or weekend test operations as dictated by campaign schedules, including off-site testing depending on program need.

Colorado law requires us to tell you the base compensation range of this role, which is an annual salary of $75,000 - $115,000, 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.