Vice President, Engineering

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. 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. Ursa Major’s teams move fast and do a lot with little. We are looking for a skilled, fast learning individual who will support our fluid and mechanical system design efforts. This role will be part of the technical organization, responsible for clean sheet designs of a variety of propulsion hardware. Candidates will be expected to have ownership from the initial concept phase to a production-ready design and may need to support multiple engine programs simultaneously. Position Overview The VP of Engineering will lead an organization of engineers to design, develop, fly, and mass produce critically important commercial liquid propulsion products and novel weapons systems to guarantee national security and deter adversaries. This person must balance hardware execution with creative system level architecture. This role will set the strategic roadmap, provide operational oversight, achieve team objectives, and develop the most talent dense group in the nation. More importantly, this role will set the standard of engineering excellence ensuring 100% mission success for our customers. Responsibilities Build, manage, and lead a rapidly growing team of engineers across a dozen different domains including turbomachinery, avionics, test operations, analysis, FMS, vehicle structures, combustion devices, and configuration. Execute technical (TRL) roadmaps for Ursa’s liquid products, including propulsion systems and fully integrated hypersonic vehicles. Own and improve the entire product design lifecycle. Ensure continuity of success through development, qualification, LRIP, and FRP. Work in conjunction with operations and manufacturing to achieve cost and lead time goals that enable world class delivery and quality performance at the pace of relevance to our war fighters and other customers. Ensure programs are executed to achieve the performance, schedule, and cost targets established by the business. Continuously develop leaders to build a resilient and lasting engineering organization. Be the source of inspiration for every engineer at the business. Required Qualifications 15+ years of leadership in a rapidly growing aerospace and defense environment. History of leading winning teams and rapidly progressing TRL through qualification and production. Deep technical background in hypersonics, rocket propulsion, and/or mission critical defense technology. Transformational communication, organizational, and decision‑making skills. Colorado law requires us to tell you the base compensation range of this role, which is $240,000 - $300,000, 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 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 – 401(k) with Company Match Equity Grants in the Company US CITIZENSHIP, PERMANENT RESIDENCY, REFUGEE OR ASYLUM STATUS IS REQUIRED. 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr