Staff Program Manufacturing Engineer

Ursa Major
Berthoud, CO
On-site

Who this role is best for

Best suited to experienced manufacturing engineers with aerospace or defense background working in Colorado, who can manage full product lifecycles and coordinate cross-functional teams.

Best fit for

  • Experienced manufacturing engineers with aerospace or defense industry expertise and a track record in full product lifecycle management
    — “support manufacturing of solid rocket motors through complete product lifecycles”
  • Candidates who have led DFM/DFA initiatives and ensured process capability and yield targets
    — “Drive Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles early in the design cycle”
  • Individuals with strong cross-functional collaboration skills and a background in program management
    — “key interface between Manufacturing, Design/Engineering, Program Management, Supply Chain, Quality, and Operations”

Things to consider

  • Must be a U.S. person and eligible for a security clearance if required by the program
    — “Must be a U.S. Person (this includes U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents)”

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience in transitioning hardware from development to stable production
    — “Demonstrated experience taking hardware from development/prototype builds into stable, repeatable production”
  • Emphasize cross-functional collaboration and leadership in manufacturing readiness reviews
    — “Responsible for Manufacturing Readiness Reviews (MRRs), line set-up, tooling readiness, and operator training”
  • Showcase familiarity with energetic materials or propulsion systems if applicable
    — “Experience with solid rocket motors, energetic materials, or propulsion systems”
Pace · SteadyCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • Drive product from development through full-rate production
  • Ensure robust, producible designs
Typical background
Manufacturing engineering experience in aerospace or defense industry

Skills & requirements

Required

Manufacturing EngineeringDesign For ManufacturabilityProcess CapabilityManufacturing Readiness ReviewsCommunication

Preferred

Solid Rocket MotorsLean Six SigmaErp/mrp SystemsManufacturing Execution Systems

Stack & domain

Manufacturing EngineeringDfm/dfa MethodologiesProcess CapabilityManufacturing ReadinessPropellant ProcessingCase PreparationLiner ApplicationCastingCureAssemblyIntegration OperationsCommunicationProblem-solvingTeamworkProject ManagementLeadershipAdaptabilityAttention To DetailAerospaceDefenseSolid Rocket Motors

About the role

Original posting from Ursa Major

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. 

Ursa Major's Solid Rocket Motor manufacturing team is growing; we are seeking a Staff Program Manufacturing Engineer to support manufacturing of solid rocket motors through complete product lifecycles.

Role Overview

The Staff Program Manufacturing Engineer is the primary manufacturing owner for one or more solid rocket motor programs, responsible for driving the product from development through full-rate production. This role serves as the key interface between Manufacturing, Design/Engineering, Program Management, Supply Chain, Quality, and Operations to ensure robust, producible designs and efficient, repeatable manufacturing processes.

Key Responsibilities 

Own manufacturing engineering responsibility for assigned solid rocket motor programs across the full lifecycle: development, qualification, low-rate initial production, and full-rate production.

Drive Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles early in the design cycle.

Ensure process capability and yield targets.

Responsible for Manufacturing Readiness Reviews (MRRs), line set-up, tooling readiness, and operator training.

Identify manufacturing risks and opportunities; develop and track mitigation plans and improvement projects.

Maintain close communication with development and process engineers across multiple areas including propellant processing, case preparation, liner application, casting, cure, assembly, and integration operations.

Required Qualifications 

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field.

7+ years’ experience in manufacturing engineering within aerospace, defense, or a similar highly regulated industry.

Experience with DFM/DFA methodologies and manufacturing readiness activities.

Demonstrated experience taking hardware from development/prototype builds into stable, repeatable production.

Preferred Qualifications 

Experience with solid rocket motors, energetic materials, or propulsion systems.

Familiarity with Lean, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement frameworks.

Experience with ERP/MRP systems and manufacturing execution systems (MES).

Active or obtainable security clearance (if required by program).

Colorado law requires us to tell you the base compensation range of this role, which is $129,600 - $162,000, 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

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.

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.

Source: Ursa Major careers

Similar roles

More roles at Ursa Major