Summer 2026 Energetics Engineering Intern, Solid Missile 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. 

Join us for a hands-on, full-time summer internship experience at our Berthoud, CO location! 
Ursa Major’s Summer 2026 Internship Program offers students the opportunity to gain real-world experience in the aerospace and defense industry while contributing to meaningful, high-impact projects that support our mission and drive innovation in propulsion and advanced manufacturing. 

As member of the Solid Missile Systems team, the Energetics Engineering Intern will gain experience in many aspects of energetic materials. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Design, build, and collect data related to energetic materials 
  • Maintain associated equipment, facility, and consumables supply 
  • Maintain CAD and P&ID drawings for initial and change versions 
  • Analysis and reduction of data, from raw to full report 
  • Manage workload and requests from propellant and ballistics teams 
• Manage liner formulation, spray application, and associated design turns.  
• Assist with ablative nozzle and throat material selection and manufacture, including integration with nozzle design team, mechanical properties testing, and inert manufacturing team.  
• Work closely with manufacturing engineering’s chemical engineering team to assist with scaling to 150-gallon mixer 
  • Plans, drawings, and P&IDs for large batch scaling 
  • Understand and assist with scaling reaction kinetics of in-house propellant formulations 
• Incorporate small-scale sensitivity testing for the energetics team 
  • Work to set up and operate impact and ESD sensitivity tools 
  • Work to source and set up friction sensitivity tool 
  • Analyze data and write automated code to generate material sensitivity reports.  
• Assist with Ursa SMS analytical facilities 
  • Help manage analytical facilities expansion 
  • Install, wire, and test analytical equipment 
  • Document progress and maintain records 
  • Establish and enforce appropriate safety and laboratory practices 

Requirements: 

• Background in chemical, aerospace, or mechanical engineering 
• Experience applying chemistry and engineering concepts to complex analytical problems.  
• Demonstrated organization skills 
• Understanding and conformance to laboratory and hazardous environment safety protocols 
• Demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity in all its forms as well as contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment 
• Ability to earn trust and maintain positive and professional relationships 
• Demonstrated teamwork and ability to communicate effectively in a group setting 
• Drive to continuously improve technical and team skills 

Program Details: 

• Location: On-site at our Berthoud, CO facility 
• Duration: Approximately 10–12 weeks 
• Schedule: Full-time, Monday–Friday 
• This is a paid internship 

Colorado law requires us to tell you the base compensation range of this role, which is $29.00/hour, determined by your education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities. The salary range for this role is intentionally wide as we are evaluating individuals based on their unique experience and abilities to fit our needs. Most importantly, we are excited to meet you, and see if you are a great fit for our team. What we can’t quantify for you are the exciting challenges, supportive team