Senior Test Engineer Verified today

Senior Test Engineer, Solid Missile Systems

Location: Galeton and Berthoud, Colorado

Ursa Major develops, manufactures, and tests solid rocket motors for modern defense applications. We are building a high-performance engineering organization focused on designing and operating the ground systems that enable safe, repeatable, and scalable propulsion testing.

As a Senior Test Engineer, you will own the design, integration, build, and lifecycle support of test infrastructure used for propulsion testing. This includes static fire test stands, fluid-mechanical systems, ground support equipment (GSE), and the integrated controls, instrumentation, and data acquisition systems required to execute tests safely and repeatably.

This is a hands-on role working directly at rocket test sites and in remote field locations, where you will build, assemble, modify, and troubleshoot mechanical, fluid, and controls-based test systems. You will collaborate closely with test technicians, propulsion engineers, and operations teams to execute development and qualification test campaigns and resolve system-level issues in real time.

Key Responsibilities

Integrated Test Systems and Infrastructure Ownership

• Design, develop, commission, and sustain scalable propulsion test stands and test infrastructure supporting multiple solid rocket motor programs ranging from early R&D through qualification and production acceptance testing.
• Design and integrate fluid-mechanical systems including high-pressure gas systems, pneumatics, hydraulics, and remotely operated ground support equipment.
• Design and maintain industrial electrical and controls systems for propulsion test operations, including low-voltage power distribution, grounding and bonding, interlocks, PLC-based automation, sequencing logic, and facility electrical integration.
• Support instrumentation and data acquisition systems including sensor integration, signal conditioning, calibration strategy, distributed DAQ architecture, data integrity validation, and control room interfaces.
• Lead and oversee static fire campaigns, including system validation, real-time test operation leadership, and anomaly resolution to deliver decision-ready test data.

Safety and Operational Excellence

• Own test range safety analysis for SRM testing, including overpressure, fragmentation, and environmental hazards and exclusion zones.
• Own test risk assessments, ensuring hazards are clearly identified, mitigated, and communicated.
• Serve as a technical resource for hazardous test operations involving high-pressure fluids, energetic systems, and integrated controls systems.
• Partner closely with EHS to support test safety planning, hazard analysis, risk mitigation, and compliance with applicable safety standards, energetic material handling requirements, and regulatory requirements for test operations and infrastructure.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Collaborate closely with engineering, manufacturing, operations, facilities, and program teams to enable rapid testing and design iteration, risk reduction, and flight readiness.
• Support long-term standardization test infrastructure planning including facility expansion, capital improvements, operational scalability, and infrastructure modernization efforts across multiple sites.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Electrical Engineering (or related engineering discipline).
• 4+ years of experience in propulsion testing, aerospace systems, manufacturing, energy systems, heavy industry, or other hazardous hardware development environments.
• Demonstrated track record designing, integrating, commissioning, or operating test stands, ground support equipment, or integrated test systems in aerospace, defense, energy, or heavy industrial environments.
• Hands-on experience with mechanical design, fluid systems (pneumatics, hydraulics, high-pressure gas), or electrical and controls integration.
• Experience leading or participating in test campaigns, troubleshooting hardware and systems under operational conditions, and communicating technical results to cross-functional teams.
• Strong communication and technical documentation skills.
• Ability to work safely in hazardous environments and commitment to safety-first operations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with solid rocket motor testing or other energetic systems testing.
• Experience designing or operating test infrastructure at remote field sites or ranges.
• Familiarity with PLC programming, DAQ systems, or industrial controls.
• Experience with test planning, failure analysis, or risk assessment methodologies.
• Aerospace or defense industry background; familiarity with military or space programs a plus.