Senior Design Engineer, TVC

Employer description

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 (SRM) team is hiring multiple Senior Design Engineers to support the design, development, and qualification of solid rocket motor thrust vector control (TVC) structures and mechanisms. This role has substantial technical responsibility and autonomy, with support from subject matter experts where needed. 

You will be a key contributor for SRM TVC design at Ursa Major, developing TVC architectures, leading mechanism and actuation system design, owning key interfaces, and executing TVC test campaigns. You’ll help refine the design methods, standards, and processes that enable scalable, high‑rate production of reliable SRM TVC systems.  

This isn’t purely a desk job. You’ll be expected to be on the build floor working with technicians, integrating hardware, and resolving build issues in real time. Our engineers work across a variety of programs and roles, so you’ll have the opportunity to contribute beyond your title and take on new challenges as they arise. 

What You’ll Do 

• Own the design of SRM TVC systems and related components (e.g., flexible joints, gimbal/actuator mechanisms, jet tabs/vanes, liquid/hot‑gas injection hardware, mounts, and structural interfaces). 

• Translate customer requirements and mission needs into robust, manufacturable TVC designs that meet performance, reliability, cost, and schedule targets.  

• Execute design trades across TVC architectures, actuator types, materials, and manufacturing processes.  

• Help define and allocate TVC design and performance requirements and ensure designs meet flight‑control and structural needs.  

• Plan and support test campaigns from component-level through full‑scale joint actuation tests and integrated static‑fire TVC demonstrations to de‑risk new concepts and qualify systems.  

• Review test data and post‑test hardware to verify performance against predictions, identify anomalies, and drive design or process changes.  

• Provide hands‑on support for prototype assembly and test, including troubleshooting mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and integration issues on the build floor.  

• Drive cross-functional collaboration with analysis, manufacturing, test, systems, and supply chain teams to ensure nozzle designs meet all stakeholder needs.   

• Maintain aggressive but realistic project schedules, identifying key risks early and working with technical leads to implement mitigation plans.    

• Generate and review CAD models and engineering drawings in accordance with internal standards and ASME Y14.5‑2009/2018.   

• Maintain clear, organized technical documentation, including requirements, design reviews, test plans and reports, and verification/validation evidence.   

• Provide day‑to‑day technical guidance to junior engineers, contributing to the team’s growth in nozzle design, materials, and manufacturing.  

Required Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or a related field.  

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience with thrust vector control systems, precision electromechanical mechanisms, rocket propulsion hardware, or closely related flight‑control actuation systems.  

• Experience with SRM TVC design, analysis, and integration into solid rocket motor architectures. 

• Ability to execute TVC mechanism and actuation system designs, including first‑order sizing and kinematics/dynamics analyses (actuation torque, stiffness, backlash, friction, inertia, and response). 

• Proficiency with CAD and engineering analysis tools (e.g., structural/FEA, kinematics/dynamics, basic thermal analysis; exposure to control/servo analysis and aero/jet flow analysis is a plus).  

• Strong engineering fundamentals, including in‑depth knowledge of structural mechanics, dynamics, and actuators. 

• Familiarity with thermodynamics and fluid dynamics as they relate to SRM performance, nozzle flow, and side‑force generation.  

• Clear, effective written and verbal communication skills for cross‑functional collaboration, design reviews, customer discussions, and documentation.  

• Eligibility for a U.S. DoD Secret Clearance is required and maintaining that eligibility is a condition of employment. 

Desired Experience 

• Master’s degree or PhD in mechanical, aerospace, electrical engineering, or a related technical discipline.  

• Experience architecting and designing TVC actuation and mechanism systems, including motor/gearbox selection, load path definition, stiffness/backlash management, and fault‑tolerant configurations.  

• Experience applying formal design criteria and recommended practices for SRM TVC from sources like NASA SP‑8114 or similar.  

• Understanding of design for additive manufacturing, including material behavior and design constraints for metal additive processes used in TVC components (e.g., actuator housings, brackets, manifolds).  

• Hands‑on involvement in rapid product development environments (prototype‑heavy, fast‑iteration programs).  

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