Staff Instrumentation & Controls 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.

We are seeking a Staff Instrumentation & Controls Engineer to own sensor selection and implementation of automated control and data acquisition systems. To succeed in this role, you will need to develop deep understanding of processes across Ursa Major’s product lines. You will be highly collaborative with Manufacturing, Test, Quality, Safety, and product owners. The scope of work will be from benchtop test fixtures to facility-scale equipment.

The role will focus on developing industry leading production equipment utilizing the cRIO/PXI platforms as headless controllers and DAQ for high-speed applications. These systems will be integrated into Ursa Major’s SCADA and digital manufacturing layers. You will also develop LabVIEW programs to operate collaboratively with PLCs for validation and development activities.

Responsibilities:

Be part of a team designing safety-first systems handling hazardous fluids, powders, and energetics mixtures, as well as high pressures and voltages

Gain deep understanding of functional test requirements of propulsion subassemblies/components to deliver industry-leading production equipment

Lead selection of instrumentation across a wide range of test applications and

Lead development of headless-operating cRIO/PXI connected to SCADA layer and

Lead development of LabVIEW programs that allows parallel operation & process validation with Siemens S7 PLCs and enable development operations.

Participate in equipment development with consideration of product specifications, process requirements, layout complexity, cost, and lead-time limits

Be hands-on during commissioning, working alongside engineers and technicians

Generate documentation including operator manuals, and work instructions for operation, troubleshooting, and maintenance

Contribute to internal production equipment standards and requirements documentation

Implement networked communications standards to interconnect NI and Siemens hardware together and to the SCADA layer

Requirements:

8+ years of experience with test/process system design or related role

BS degree or higher in an engineering field, Mechatronic/chemical/mechanical preferred (suitable experience may be substituted)

Experience developing headless operating cRIO/PXI systems

Experience LabVIEW programs integrating non-NI hardware

Ability to communicate effectively, both written and verbal

Ability to work flexibly in a fast-paced environment, collaborating with other functions and departments

Demonstrated ability to balance requirements of multiple stakeholders and deliver projects on time

Ability to perform physical tasks including standing for long periods, working on ladders, kneeling, crouching, working in tight spaces, lifting objects up to 25 lbs.

Preferred Experience:

Demonstrated first-principals approach to instrumentation and process equipment

Experience working with PLCs (Siemens S7 or other)

Experience with Ignition SCADA & HMI

Experience with OPCUA, EtherCat, Profinet, or similar

Experience with continuous and batch process system design