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.

Senior Test Engineer, Solid Missile Systems Location: Galeton & Berthoud, Colorado Ursa Major develops, manufactures, and tests solid rocket motors for modern defense applications. We are building a high-performance engineering organization focused on designing and operating the ground systems that enable safe, repeatable, and scalable propulsion testing. As a Senior Test Engineer, you will own the design, integration, build, and lifecycle support of test infrastructure used for propulsion testing.

This includes static fire test stands, fluid-mechanical systems, ground support equipment (GSE), and the integrated controls, instrumentation, and data acquisition systems required to execute tests safely and repeatably. This is a hands-on role working directly at rocket test sites and in remote field locations, where you will build, assemble, modify, and troubleshoot mechanical, fluid, and controls-based test systems. You’ll collaborate closely with test technicians, propulsion engineers, and operations teams to execute development and qualification test campaigns and resolve system-level issues in real time.

Key Responsibilities

Integrated Test Systems & Infrastructure Ownership Design, develop, commission, and sustain scalable propulsion test stands and test infrastructure supporting multiple solid rocket motor programs ranging from early R&D through qualification and production acceptance testing. Design and integrate fluid-mechanical systems including high-pressure gas systems, pneumatics, hydraulics, and remotely operated ground support equipment. Design and maintain industrial electrical and controls systems for propulsion test operations, including low-voltage power distribution, grounding/bonding, interlocks, PLC-based automation, sequencing logic, and facility electrical integration.

Support instrumentation and data acquisition systems including sensor integration, signal conditioning, calibration strategy, distributed DAQ architecture, data integrity validation, and control room interfaces. Lead and oversee static fire campaigns, including system validation, real-time test operation leadership, and anomaly resolution to deliver decision-ready test data Safety and Operational Excellence Own test range safety analysis for SRM testing, including overpressure, fragmentation, and environmental hazard s and exclusion zones . Own test risk assessments, ensuring hazards are clearly identified, mitigated, and communicated.

Serve as a technical resource for hazardous test operations involving high-pressure fluids, energetic systems, and integrated controls systems.

Requirements

, and regulatory

for test operations and infrastructure. Cross-Functional Leadership Collaborate closely with engineering, manufacturing, operations, facilities, and program teams to enable rapid testing and design iteration, risk reduction, and flight readiness. Support long-term standardization test infrastructure planning including facility expansion, capital improvements, operational scalability, and infrastructure modernization efforts across multiple sites.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Electrical Engineering (or related engineering discipline). 4+ years of experience in propulsion testing, aerospace systems, manufacturing, energy systems, heavy industry, or other hazardous hardware development environments.