Mechanical Engineer 4 - Payload Accommodations Component Certification

5576BR

Decatur, AL

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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 150 consecutive missions doesn't just happen. It's credit to the commitment of our 2,500 team members and 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.

Together, 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!

Your Role: What you'll be doing

• 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 expects support to 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 the 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 the 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.

Your Background: What education and experience you'll need

Requires a bachelor's degree and 6-10 years of experience.

Your Background: What skills you'll need

• A Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical field from an accredited college or university is required.
• Experience with structural/mechanical/aerospace engineering factory support and/or design development & qualification
• Experience with design & fabrication familiarity with composite structural technologies
• Hardware non-conformance resolution experience
• Configuration Management and engineering release experience
• Geometric dimensioning & tolerance experience
• Demonstrated proficiency in team leadership
• Ability to operate independently and coach and mentor other employees
• System-level understanding of design principles and adjacent engineering disciplines
• Time management skills and strong self-initiative
• Excellent communication, writing, and oral skills and can work with a wide range of team members including customers and subcontractors
• Ability to assess and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and industry/government standards
• CAD modeling experience
• Ability to travel

Relocation Available

Yes

About ULA: What makes us 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 120.15 (e.g., U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) or protected individual. Also 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 ( | ) and Right to Work poster ( | ).

Interested in growing in your career with ULA?

Apply today. We look forward to learning more about you!

Job Category

Engineering