Supply Chain 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 maneuvering and launch. We design and deliver propulsion and defense systems that solve the most urgent and critical national security demands. 

The journey to space starts with the engines.

Ursa Major was founded to bring a new model to space access: one in which every link in an enormous value chain isn’t limited by those around it. We design rocket engines and propulsion solutions.

Our products and technologies require an extraordinary team. A team that will mold 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 Senior Supply Chain Engineer for Liquids Systems, you’ll own the performance of the suppliers that power Ursa Major’s Hadley and Draper engine platforms. This individual will lead supplier development and quality, dive into complex data to uncover systemic issues, and drive measurable improvements in hardware quality, cost, delivery, and capacity. You’ll be the technical point of contact for critical suppliers—on the factory floor and at their sites—shaping manufacturing processes, qualifying new products, and de-risking our supply chain. In close partnership with engineering, manufacturing, and procurement, you’ll challenge the status quo, build strong relationships, and deliver real impact in a fast-paced aerospace environment. This role reports directly to the Supplier Engineering Lead.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Drive improvement in hardware quality, cost, delivery, and capacity across the supply base.
• Work closely with design, materials, and manufacturing engineering to:
  • Understand part, assembly, metrology, and subsystem design intent.
  • Ensure suppliers deliver parts and services that meet all requirements.
• Evaluate and develop suppliers by:
  • Reviewing manufacturing processes and quality systems.
  • Leading new supplier onboarding and audits.
  • Serving as the primary owner for assigned suppliers and acting as the main point of contact for supply chain–related issues and defects.
• Own supplier quality performance:
  • Lead root cause analysis and issue resolution as the liaison between Purchasing, Engineering, Production, and suppliers.
  • Analyze supplier quality and delivery metrics to identify trends, systemic gaps, and improvement opportunities.
  • Drive supplier improvement plans and risk-reduction actions.
  • Manage and reduce the defect/discrepancy and non-conformance landscape, including containment, receiving, and precision inspection issues, and implement durable corrective actions.
• Provide onsite technical support at suppliers as needed to:
  • Ensure part reliability and manufacturability.
  • Offer feedback on manufacturing methods and technologies throughout the product lifecycle.
• Execute and improve non-conformance management processes:
  • Manage deviation requests, MRB, RTV, Supplier Corrective Action Requests, and Production discrepancy reports.
  • Define scope, remove impacted parts from Production, coordinate with Materials Control for stock purging, and perform reach-across analysis to prevent escapes.
• Partner with vendors and Procurement to:
  • Institute new processes that reduce issues and supply chain risk.
  • Improve quality management practices.
  • Identify, evaluate, and select high-performing suppliers capable of meeting aggressive schedules and build rates.
• Support product development and launch by:
  • Leading Design for Manufacturability (DFM) reviews early in the process, preferably before sourcing.
  • Owning New Product Introduction (NPI) at suppliers for new parts, drawing changes, and re-sourced components.
• Build strong internal and external relationships:
  • Cultivate networks across Ursa and cross-functional teams.
  • Work systematically to reduce and ultimately eliminate impacts from vendor defects.
• Contribute to supply chain standards:

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, STEM discipline or equivalent hands-on experience.
• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing, quality, or supplier-facing roles in a high product complexity environment, such as Space, Aerospace, Defense, or Medical.
• Strong time management and attention to detail, particularly in handling technical documentation and multiple supplier interfaces.
• Experience reading engineering models and drawings, including a strong understanding of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T).
• Proficient in dimensional inspection practices and metrology methodologies.
• Familiarity with quality documentation, discrepancy reporting, and/or deviation/waiver processes.
• Deep understanding of AS9102 requirements and First Article Inspection (FAI) processes, including reviewing and/or preparing AS9102 forms with suppliers.
• Experience with AS9100, ISO9001, or other similar Quality Management Systems.
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally with external suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Willingness to travel up to 50% of the work week.

DESIRED EXPERIENCE

• Deep technical experience with complex machined hardware, raw materials, tooling, and special processes (anodize, heat treat, passivation, plating).
• Experience managing projects or initiatives with multiple stakeholders, particularly cross-functional teams (Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain).
• 3 years of experience in supplier quality, manufacturing engineering, or similar technical role.
• Exceptional time management, problem-solving and organization skills.
• Ability to quickly drive action and make decisions in a developing manufacturing environment.
• Direct exposure to supplier management, driving supplier corrective and preventative actions using industry standard Root Cause Analysis tools (8D, Ishikawa diagrams, pareto charts, Fault Tree Analysis), and ensure contractual compliance to Ursa Major and customer requirements.
• Space industry or other high-reliability industry experience.

Colorado law requires us to tell you the base compensation range of this role, which is $104,160 - $130,200, 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.