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Staff Instrumentation & Controls Engineer

Ursa Major · Berthoud, CO

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Level
Senior
Team
Controls
Base pay
$130k–$161k
Degree
Preferred
Experience asked
8+ years
Industry
Aerospace & defense
Posted
30+ days ago

The role in 30 seconds

A senior controls role at Ursa Major (aerospace & defense) in Berthoud, CO. To succeed in this role, you will need to develop deep understanding of processes across Ursa Major’s product lines.

They ask for
8+ years · degree preferred
Tools it names
ISO 9001, AS9100, Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ), PLC, Tooling
Base pay
$130k–$161k

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026

Controls Engineer roles in Colorado: typical posted base $97k–$145k. This one lists $130k–$161k.

Median of the low and high ends of 11 live postings that list pay, out of 15 controls engineer openings in Colorado, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.

Colorado plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →

How this role compares

Against 14 other live controls postings in Colorado.

Base pay
About 20% above similar roles

Typical $97k–$145k, from 10 postings that list pay.

Experience asked
More than usual (8+ vs 6+)

Similar roles usually ask 6+ years.

Skills these teams ask for most

  • ✓ PLC 73%
  • Automation 73%
  • ✓ Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 40%
  • Robotics 40%
  • Root cause 27%
  • OEE 20%

✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.

Stands out: this posting asks for ISO 9001, AS9100, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.

It asks for 8+ years. If you're close, apply anyway: requirements are a wish list. Talk to someone doing this work there first.

At a glance

Lifts up to 25 lbs

Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.

How to get in at this plant

Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.

  1. 1

    Pick 2–3 people on the Controls team at Ursa Major

    Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.

  2. 2

    Send a short, curious note

    One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.

  3. 3

    Turn a reply into a short call

    Questions worth asking about this team:

    • What does a normal week look like on your team?
    • How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
  4. 4

    Apply with someone vouching for you

    If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.

  5. 5

    Bring proof to the interview

    One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.

This plant: Ursa Major in Berthoud

10 other open roles at this site.

All 11 roles at Ursa Major →
Full description from Ursa MajorAs posted on their careers site.Show

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
  • ✓Experience in production within ISO 9001 or AS9100 certified organizations
  • ✓Experience creating electrical schematics in CAD (Eplan or similar)
  • ✓Experience creating P&ID (Eplan or similar)
  • ✓Experience designing and building industrial electrical control panels
  • ✓Experience designing and building high pressure fluid systems
  • ✓Experience with equipment validation, IQ, OQ, PQ, Gauge R&R, or other
  • ✓Familiarity with NFPA, NEC, ASME piping codes, and other related standards

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
Show full 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.

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.

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.

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