In June 2023, rocket engine manufacturer Ursa Major conducted layoffs affecting approximately 80 employees, which represented over a quarter of its workforce. The Colorado-based space industry startup, which had around 292 employees listed on LinkedIn at the time, cited budgetary constraints as the reason for the job cuts. The layoffs impacted key roles, including engineers in propulsion and quality analysis, amid broader market headwinds affecting the technology and aerospace sectors. Despite the workforce reduction, Ursa Major was actively developing several engines, such as the Hadley and Ripley, and had recently secured significant contracts for new engine development, including the Draper and Arroway models.
