Senior Systems Engineer

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. 

As a Senior Systems Engineer, you will leverage your experience to ensure our hypersonic propulsion and vehicle systems are designed, verified, and qualified to meet mission-critical customer requirements. This role will be highly cross-functional, with opportunities to influence design decisions, guide verification strategies, and shape system engineering processes across Ursa Major’s hypersonic product lines. This is a hybrid position based in our Berthoud, Colorado office, typically with 2-days per week remote. 

Responsibilities:

• Lead definition, validation, and maintenance of system-level requirements for hypersonic engines and vehicles.


• Develop and own qualification and verification plans at the system level.


• Track requirement verification status throughout product development, test, and qualification.


• Review and approve test and analysis plans/reports, ensuring traceability to customer requirements.


• Develop and maintain key system safety and reliability analyses (FMEA, PFMEA, ASIA, etc.) for hypersonic systems.


• Lead risk analysis and mitigation efforts; manage closure of system-level risks.


• Develop and maintain Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) architectures for hypersonic engines and vehicles.


• Represent systems engineering at internal and customer design reviews, communicating requirement compliance and risk posture.


• Drive improvements in systems engineering processes, tools, and standards across programs.


• Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior engineers, elevating systems engineering capability within the team.

Required Qualifications:

• B.S. in Aerospace, Systems, or Mechanical Engineering (or related field); M.S. preferred.


• 5+ years of experience applying systems engineering principles to complex aerospace systems (design reviews, requirements verification, risk management, failure analysis).


• Proven ability to manage requirements and verification for multi-disciplinary systems.


• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.


• Demonstrated leadership in cross-functional technical teams.


• Ability to earn trust and maintain positive, professional relationships across technical and customer teams.


• Commitment to fostering an inclusive and collaborative workplace.


• Ability to work on-site in Berthoud, Colorado 3+ days per week

Desired Experience:

• Proficiency with requirements management tools such as DOORS or Jama.


• Experience with MBSE and tools such as Cameo.


• Familiarity with government and DoD contracts, specifications, and compliance requirements.


• Active Secret clearance or ability to obtain and maintain one.


• Experience in hypersonic vehicles, propulsion, or high-speed flight systems.

Colorado law requires us to tell you the base compensation range of this role, which is $133,000 - $166,000, 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