Chief Engineer, Hypersonic Missile and Interceptor

Job Description

**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.

**Role Overview**

Ursa Major is seeking a Chief Engineer, Hypersonic Missile \& Interceptor to serve as the technical authority and architectural owner for the Draper Engine Hypersonic program. This individual will be accountable for the end-to-end vehicle technical baseline, ensuring the successful integration of propulsion, structures, avionics, GNC, thermal, and mission systems into a flight-worthy, scalable vehicle solution.

As Chief Engineer, you will provide technical leadership across the full lifecycle---from requirements definition and trade studies through design, integration, test, and flight operations---while partnering closely with Program Management, Manufacturing, Mission Assurance, and Business Development. This role is critical to delivering reliable, high-performance systems to government and commercial customers on aggressive schedules.

**Key Responsibilities**

**Technical Authority \& Architecture**

* Own and maintain the vehicle system architecture, technical baseline, and configuration for the Draper Engine Vehicle.
* Serve as the final technical decision authority for vehicle-level design trades, requirements allocation, and risk acceptance.
* Ensure propulsion (Draper engine) is fully integrated into the vehicle system with appropriate margins, interfaces, and operational envelopes.

**Systems Engineering \& Integration**

* Lead vehicle-level systems engineering, including requirements flow-down, interface control, verification \& validation (V\&V), and configuration management.
* Oversee cross-disciplinary integration across:

* Propulsion

* Structures \& airframe

* GNC

* Avionics \& software

* Thermal \& TPS

* Mission \& flight systems
* Chair technical reviews including SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, and FRR.

**Program Execution Support**

* Partner with Program Management to balance performance, cost, schedule, and risk.
* Support proposal efforts, customer technical interchange meetings (TIMs), and design reviews with government and commercial customers.
* Identify technical risks early and lead mitigation plans through test, analysis, or design iteration.

**Test, Qualification \& Flight Readiness**

* Define and approve vehicle-level test strategies including ground testing, qualification, and flight test.
* Ensure data-driven decisions using analysis, modeling, and test results.
* Provide technical sign-off for vehicle readiness and flight authorization.

**Team Leadership \& Mentorship**

* Provide technical leadership and mentorship to subsystem leads and senior engineers.
* Foster a culture of engineering rigor, accountability, and rapid execution.
* Help scale engineering processes and standards as programs mature.

**Required Qualifications**

* Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field (Master's or PhD strongly preferred).
* 12+ years of experience in aerospace vehicle development, including system-level ownership.
* Prior experience serving as a Chief Engineer, Lead Systems Engineer, or Vehicle Architect on a flight vehicle or missile system.
* Deep understanding of propulsion integration, vehicle dynamics, and system trades.
* Demonstrated experience leading vehicles through design reviews, test campaigns, and flight readiness.
* Ability to clearly communicate complex technical decisions to executive leadership and customers.
* Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and stay flexible based on customer demands and company priorities along with daily firefighting
* Ability to make sound technical decisions under schedule and performance pressure
* Strong written and verbal communication skills

**Preferred Qualifications**

* Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering or related field
* Experience with hypersonic vehicles, missiles, launch vehicles, or advanced propulsion systems.
* Familiarity with thermal, structural, and aero integration challenges in hypersonic regimes
* Experience in design and analysis of fluids systems
* Experience operating in ISO 9001 or AS9100 certified organizations
* Experience with SMC-S-016 Test Requirements
* Background working with DoD, DARPA, or classified programs.
* Familiarity with model-based systems engineering (MBSE) tools.
* Experience scaling a vehicle program from prototype to production.
* Active or ability to obtain a U.S. security clearance.

Colorado law requires us to tell you the base compensation range of this role, which is $175,000 - $230,000, 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.

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**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.

**Must be a U.S. Person (this includes U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents).**

**Eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance.**
*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.