Staff Systems Engineer – Safety & Reliability

Ursa Major
Berthoud, CO

Who this role is best for

Systems engineers with propulsion and defense aerospace experience and risk analysis expertise will find this mission assurance role in Colorado.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with propulsion systems experience and a background in system safety will thrive in this role.
    — “Experience with solid rocket motors, ignition systems, propulsion systems, launch vehicles, or defense aerospace programs”
  • Professionals who have led failure investigations and developed safety requirements are ideal for this position.
    — “Lead failure investigations Perform reliability assessments for motor products”
  • Individuals with strong cross-functional collaboration skills and a systems engineering mindset are well-suited here.
    — “Work with design and product teams to find creative and efficient solutions to engineering challenges”

Things to consider

  • Eligibility for a Secret Clearance is a mandatory requirement for this position.
    — “This position requires that the employee be eligible and maintain eligibility for a Secret Clearance”

How to stand out

  • Highlight your experience with aerospace standards like MIL-STD-882 in your resume and interviews.
    — “Experience with aerospace industry standards (MIL-STD-882, etc.)”
  • Emphasize your ability to manage risk registers and present technical strategies both internally and externally.
    — “Establish and maintain best practices for risk register management across different programs and products”
  • Demonstrate your track record in developing and executing motor qualification plans and test reports.
    — “Own the Ursa Major relationship with branch specific Weapon Safety Boards and assist with authoring & presenting motor qualification plans & test reports”
Pace · SteadyCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Company

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

What success looks like

  • developing robust product safety strategies
  • leading failure investigations
  • performing reliability assessments
Typical background
8+ years of experience in system safety, mission assurance, or systems engineering

Skills & requirements

Required

Systems EngineeringRisk ManagementSafety EngineeringMission AssuranceCross-functional Team ManagementFailure Analysis

Preferred

Master’s Degree In A Relevant Technical DisciplineComprehensive Systems Engineering ProcessesTesting And Validation Of High-performance Hardware

Stack & domain

FMEAFHAMil-std-882Problem-solvingCollaborationAerospaceDefensePropulsion Systems

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 is seeking a Staff Systems Engineer within the SMS Systems Engineering Team to creatively drive safety, reliability, and risk management solutions for our propulsion systems. This role is responsible for the safe design and operation of our rocket motors to ensure they meet the highest standards of performance and safety. You will work cross-functionally with systems engineering, mission operations, design, test, manufacturing, and program teams to develop robust product safety strategies and ensure successful mission execution. You will also own the relationship between Ursa Major and DoD Safety Review Boards. 

Key Responsibilities 

Develop and implement mission assurance processes to ensure product reliability, safety, and performance 

Own the Ursa Major relationship with branch specific Weapon Safety Boards and assist with authoring & presenting motor qualification plans & test reports for WSESRB, JSWRB, etc. approval 

Own technical inputs to Interim Hazard Classification (IHC) & Final Hazard Classification (FHC) planning, execution and approval for motor shipments and fielding 

Establish and maintain best practices for risk register management across different programs and products; present both internally and externally as required 

Work with design and product teams to find creative and efficient solutions to engineering challenges that ultimately reduce product risk; develop system safety requirements for product design 

Perform system-level failure assessments (Failure Modes & Effects Analysis (FMEA), Fault Hazard Analysis (FHA), etc.) to inform system design and risk tracking 

Establish plans for end-to-end product lifecycle, including but not limited to any required handling restrictions, demilitarization, and disposal 

Assist with flight test range safe execution planning 

Lead failure investigations 

Perform reliability assessments for motor products 

Other duties as assigned 

Required Qualifications 

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering or a related field 

8+ years of experience in system safety, mission assurance, or systems engineering 

Experience with solid rocket motors, ignition systems, propulsion systems, launch vehicles, or defense aerospace programs 

Experience with risk analysis methods (FMEA, FHA, probabilistic risk assessment) 

Experience with aerospace industry standards (MIL-STD-882, etc.) 

Experience working with cross-functional teams, interfacing with internal/external customers 

Demonstrated ability to break down complex problems, strong problem-solving skills and ability to work in a fast-paced development environment 

This position requires that the employee be eligible and maintain eligibility for a Secret Clearance 

 Desired Experience 

Master’s degree in a relevant technical discipline 

Comprehensive knowledge of systems engineering processes, including requirements development and verification 

Hands-on experience with testing and validation of high-performance hardware 

Colorado law requires us to tell you the base compensation range of this role, which is $156,000 - $195,000, 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

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