Mechanical Engineer 4 - Technical Lead - Hypersonic Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator (HIAD)

Company: United Launch Alliance

Requisition ID: 528

Location: ULA - Denver, ULA - Cape Canaveral, ULA - Decatur, ULA - Washington DC (CC ULS)

Relocation: Yes- Relocation may be available

Travel Requirements: 50% or more

At ULA, success comes through the efforts of a strong, united team.

Thanks for your interest in United Launch Alliance, the world's most experienced and reliable space launch company! Successfully launching more than 155 consecutive missions with 100% mission success doesn't happen by accident. It's a testament to the commitment and dedication of our team of rocket scientists and support employees combined with the systems and processes we use to pull them together. As a ULA employee, you'll have the opportunity to grow in your career while working in a team-oriented culture that combines technology, innovation, ingenuity and a commitment to the extraordinary. Whether you are in college just launching your career, or, have experience and want to come work with the best rocket team in the world, our unshakable unity yields stronger solutions and better results as we carry out our mission to save lives, explore the universe, and connect the world. Our team is excited to meet you!

Job Overview & Responsibilities

This position will serve as the ULA Hypersonic Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator (HIAD) Responsible System Engineer (RSE) supporting ULA’s Vulcan Reuse program. The preferred job location is Centennial, CO with frequent travel required to NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, VA and various supplier locations. Candidates based in Hampton, VA or based near a ULA facility (Decatur, AL/Cape Canaveral, FL/Washington, D.C.) may also be considered and will be required to travel to Denver frequently.

Job Responsibilities include:

• This role will be ULA’s technical lead and Responsible Systems Engineer (RSE) on our Hypersonic Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator (HIAD) program responsible for ensuring the HIAD design, analysis, and test meets all Vulcan Reuse program requirements
• Works on-site with our NASA partners and various suppliers throughout the US
• Provides technical leadership in the HIAD development, build, qualification, and integration
• Identifies program risks and mitigation plans to ensure no impacts to ULA program plans
• Provides engineering design, systems integration, logistics, subcontract management, project management, product technical support, quality assurance, and anomaly resolution for the HIAD program
• Understands system, subsystem, and component requirements and verifications
• Conducts trade studies to optimize operations and/or designs for manufacturing and producibility, and to reduce cost risk
• Develops concept of operations for HIAD production, assembly, test, and integration with Vulcan rocket
• Position will include travel to sub-tier supplier facilities for product evaluation, and to the launch site at CCSFS, as necessary for launch certification activities
• Travel in the first 1-2 years during product development and qualification testing is expected to be 50-70% (depending on home base location) then reduce to 10-25% during the recurring program

Required Education

Bachelor

Required Years of Experience

Minimum of 6 years of related work experience

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related technical field from an accredited college or university
• Experience with hardware engineering development
• Familiarity with all or some of the following:
• Textiles and/or soft goods
• High-temperature-tolerant fabrics or other materials
• Inflatable structures
• Design, qualification, manufacturing and integration of structures or other hardware
• Hypersonic, spacecraft or launch vehicle experience
• Thermal Protection Systems (TPS)
• CAD modeling, preferably with Siemens NX
• Aerospace environments including space and/or atmospheric re-entry phases of flight
• Ability and willingness to travel as necessary to support operations
• Good written and verbal communication
• Ability to professionally represent ULA internally and externally
• General understanding of program management artifacts (cost, schedule, contract)

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with textiles and/or soft goods in aerospace applications
• Experience with the HIAD program
• Experience with Thermal Protection Systems (TPS)
• Experience in the design, manufacturing and/or testing of pressurized systems, structures or fabrics
• Experience as a technical product, hardware or systems engineering lead
• Experience managing subcontracts or supporting hardware suppliers/vendors
• Understanding of aerospace environments including space and atmospheric re-entry phases of flight
• Project management experience
• Finds creative solutions and uses outside the box thinking to meet technical, schedule and cost targets

Summary Salary Range (for ULA - Denver, ULA - Cape Canaveral, ULA - Decatur, ULA - Washington DC (CC ULS) only): $120,381.00 - $188,060.00

Please note that the salary information shown above is a general guideline only. Salaries are based upon a candidate's experience and qualifications, as well as internal equity, market and business considerations. Employees may be eligible for a discretionary annual bonus in addition to base pay.

What makes ULA different?

Because we understand launch success comes through the collective efforts of a team, we seek the best to join us. We value ethics, ingenuity, diversity and professional development for employees at all levels.

We offer our employees competitive pay and benefits including:

• 401(k) match plus an additional employer contribution
• Discretionary annual incentive bonus for eligible employees
• Generous paid time off
• Flexible work environments

Additionally, most salaried ULA team members work a "9/80 schedule," meaning they enjoy every other Friday off.

Benefits and work schedules may vary for union-represented hourly positions and are described in the applicable collective bargaining agreement.

The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.

Security Clearance / International Traffic In Arms Regulations (ITAR). This position requires use of information which is subject to the International Traffic In Arms Regulations (ITAR). Therefore, all applicants must be U.S. Persons as defined in ITAR 22 CFR 120.62 (e.g., U.S. Citizen, Lawful Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) or protected individual. See 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20) and 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) for additional information).

ULA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other categories protected by law.

ULA is a participant in the federal E-Verify Program. Posters in PDF format pertaining to this program can be accessed by clicking on the links identified below. E-Verify Participation poster (English / Spanish) and Right to Work Poster (English / Spanish).