Chief Engineer, Vehicle

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, Vehicle to serve as the technical authority and architectural owner for the Draper Engine Vehicle 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 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 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. 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr