Materials Engineer

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 manoeuvring and launch. We design and deliver propulsion and defence systems that solve the most urgent and critical national security demands.

Our products and technologies require an extraordinary team. A team that will mould 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.

As a Staff Materials & Process Engineer at Ursa Major, you are an advanced technical leader and recognised expert in your domain. You will independently lead and execute complex M&P projects and initiatives that span multiple teams or programmes and serve as a primary authority for your specialty area. Staff Engineers are hands‑on problem solvers, responsible for solving the most difficult technical challenges, refining specifications and standards, and enabling Ursa Major’s success through world‑class technical execution.

Transform high‑level direction into optimised solutions and best practices within critical programmes. You will deliver tangible results, mentor engineers at all levels, and ensure consistency and excellence across project boundaries.

• Lead and deliver solutions for challenging materials and process engineering problems across multiple teams or product lines, ensuring reliable, manufacturable, and high‑performance hardware.
• Develop, improve and maintain material and process specifications, standards and best practices, incorporating feedback from testing and production.
• Plan and oversee advanced laboratory work, material characterization and failure investigations for new programmes and root‑cause analyses.
• Collaborate closely with design, manufacturing, quality, supply‑chain and test teams to deliver optimal material solutions from development through production.
• Mentor and train junior and senior engineers, leading peer reviews and knowledge‑sharing sessions to strengthen team technical capability.
• Identify areas for process improvement, cost savings or risk mitigation and champion the execution of these improvements at the programme or cross‑team level.
• Support in driving cross‑programme initiatives and standards but act as primary technical decision maker within your domain or assigned programmes.
• Lead materials & process failure investigations, root‑cause analysis and process course correction.

• Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Metallurgy, Aerospace, Mechanical or Chemical Engineering (Master’s preferred), with 8+ years of progressive materials/process engineering experience in the aerospace industry.
• Demonstrated expertise in selection, characterisation and application of metals and alloy development/qualification.
• Advanced proficiency in at least two relevant manufacturing processes (e.g. additive manufacturing, joining, heat treatment, surface treatments, casting, forging or brazing).
• Proven ability to independently lead complex projects or technical work streams from concept through implementation, including authoring and maintaining specifications and qualification plans.
• Substantial experience conducting advanced material testing, failure analysis and delivering data‑driven recommendations for process improvements or issue resolution.
• Familiarity with aerospace and industry standards (e.g. ASTM, AMS, AWS, AS9100) and compliance requirements.
• Excellent communication, technical writing and team collaboration skills; demonstrated ability to mentor or train less‑experienced engineers.

• Experience supporting or leading materials efforts for propulsion systems, spaceflight hardware or extreme environments.
• Hands‑on expertise with additive manufacturing for metals and/or advanced joining methods (e.g. EB/TIG welding, brazing) including process qualification or supplier development.
• Background in defining allowables, supporting process or product…