Mechanical Engineer 5

Date: Jan 9, 2025

Location: Decatur, AL, US, 35601

Company: United Launch Alliance

Requisition ID: 810

Location: ULA - Decatur

Relocation: Yes- Relocation may be available

Travel Requirements: None/Infrequent

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

The Payload Accommodations IPT develops, designs and tests structural / mechanical mission specific and standard interface solutions required to integrate payloads onto Atlas V & Vulcan Centaur launch vehicles. The function develops primary and secondary structural and mechanical designs to accommodate payload requirements, provide support to payload ground test programs, provide structural support to the payload in flight and provide mechanical release and separation of the payload from the launch vehicle.

This position within the Payload Fairing and PLA Ground System Design & Analysis group requires senior structural / mechanical design, industrial, aerospace or civil engineering capability. Mechanical/aerospace factory support and/or payload integration experience is preferred. Based on this required capability and experience, this position will be expected to perform authorized system engineer (ASE) and vehicle mission component certification engineer (MCE) roles. This position will work closely with the responsible systems engineers (RSE) for various composite components produced in the Decatur facility, including payload fairings, interstage adapters, payload attach fittings and heatshields as well as with supplier production and quality personnel.

• The position supports composite hardware design, build, acceptance, operations and continuous improvement for both generic and mission unique solutions. These job functions require the ability to work with cross-functional counterparts to determine optimal solutions.
• This position requires capability to perform composite hardware component non-conformance resolution, hardware integration and trade studies to optimize designs for manufacturing, producibility, operability and performance as well as ability to define component/system interface requirements and perform requirement validation.
• Review of supplier hardware and build paperwork, as well as generation of engineering specifications and test requirements is part of the job function.
• The job assignment requires direct support to the factory and supplier, along with launch sites & payload customers when applicable in compliance with aggressive production & test schedules. When anomalies or significant production issues occur, the position provides support to the RSE for causal analysis leading to effective resolution and corrective actions. The position supports design improvements to reduce cost, schedule and/or improve operational efficiency.
• Must have the capability to perform system integration and perform system level trade studies to optimize designs for manufacturing, producibility, operability and performance. Significant system interface requirement definition & verification effort is required.
• Must have strong oral and written communication skills to effectively & regularly communicate hardware procurement status, issue resolution, design solution and anomaly resolution status to technical management, program management and the customer.
• Serve as a resource and mentor to others, training others on the fundamentals of composite manufacturing and best practices.

Required Education

Bachelor

Required Years of Experience

Minimum of 8 years of related work experience

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related technical field from an accredited college or university.
• Experience with structural / mechanical / aerospace engineering factory support and/or design development & qualification.
• Experience with design & fabrication with a composite structural technology.
• Current or previous component CRE, CRE-delegate or factory support experience.
• Hardware non-conformance resolution experience.
• Configuration Management and engineering release experience.
• Geometric dimensioning & tolerance experience.
• System level understanding of design principles and adjacent engineering disciplines.
• Ability to assess and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and industry/government standard.
• Demonstrated proficiency in team leadership with the ability to train others on the fundamentals of composite manufacturing and best practices.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, industrial, civil engineering or related technical field from an accredited college or university
• Master’s degree in related engineering field from an accredited college or university.
• Demonstrated experience with production and supplier support, launch and test operations, project engineering, project integration, payload structural/mechanical integration and payload accommodations hardware.
• Demonstrated Siemens NX (Unigraphics) and Siemens Teamcenter experience.
• Material Review Board (MRB) certification.
• Familiarity with structural analysis

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.

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).

Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act requires covered employees to follow a post selection notification process. A hired candidate may opt out of this process by notifying the hiring manager in writing at the time the offer is accepted.