Director, Air Force Weapons Systems

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 is seeking a Director, Air Force Weapon Systems to lead the definition, integration, and operational alignment of next-generation Hypersonic All Up Round (AUR) solutions. This role serves as the critical bridge between program management, engineering, business development, and the end-user warfighter community—ensuring Ursa Major’s propulsion and weapon system technologies translate into fieldable, differentiated, and operationally superior capabilities. The ideal candidate combines deep Air Force weapon system domain expertise, strong user community engagement credibility, and the ability to shape requirements and acquisition pathways that accelerate transition from development to production programs of record. While working on-site in Berthoud, Colorado is preferred, we will consider candidates working hybrid or fully remote, ideally near a USAF location. Key Responsibilities Weapon System Definition & Integration Partner with Program Managers and technical leadership to shape end-to-end requirements, architecture, and design of Ursa Major All Up Round solutions. Ensure system-level decisions create competitive, differentiated operational value from the warfighter’s perspective. Drive alignment between Air Force mission needs, TTPs, performance trades, and logistics realities. Warfighter & User Community Engagement Act as a senior interface to operational weapon officers/users across Air Force communities. Shape customer requirements to reflect the unique operational advantages enabled by Ursa Major propulsion technologies. Maintain persistent engagement to identify gaps between user needs and acquisition community priorities, then lead strategies to close those gaps in ways that: Accelerate transition to production programs Create competitive positioning Improve mission effectiveness Operational Enablement for Advanced Propulsion Support customer development of logistics concepts, handling procedures, and operational processes required to employ hydrogen-peroxide-enabled propulsion systems. Ensure readiness to progress from development → operational test → fielding → production with minimal friction. Provide similar operational advocacy and enablement for: High-loading-grain (HLG) solid rocket motor propellant Novel manufacturing approaches that expand industrial base capacity and performance versus legacy SRM solutions Cross-Functional Leadership Collaborate across Engineering, Programs, Business Development, and SRM product teams to align technical capability with mission demand signals. Inform capture strategy, customer messaging, and roadmap prioritization using direct user insight. Serve as an internal and external thought leader on future weapon system employment concepts. Required Qualifications 12+ years of experience in weapon/missile systems, advanced munitions, or targets within DoD, industry, or national security organizations. Demonstrated experience engaging operational warfighter communities and acquisition stakeholders. Strong understanding of: Weapon system requirements development Test, fielding, handling, and sustainment processes Military logistics and operational employment concepts Proven ability to influence cross-functional technical and programmatic decisions. Active U.S. security clearance or ability to obtain one. Preferred Qualifications Operational military experience in Fires, air and missile defense, strike, or munitions employment. Working knowledge of handling systems with solid rocket motors, liquid propulsion, or advanced energetics. Knowledge of various Hypersonic subsystem providers and capabilities. Advanced degree in enginee