Mechanical Engineer Leader - Composite Structures Factory

Mechanical Engineer Leader 5 - Composite Structures Factory Support Job Overview & Responsibilities

United Launch Alliance (ULA) is seeking a Composite Structures Factory Support Engineering Leader 5 to lead an engineering team responsible for providing Composite Design engineering support to the build and certification for flight of Vulcan Composite Structures built at the Beyond Gravity facility in Decatur, AL, in order to create and sustain momentum in the factory and enable desired production rates.

This role is accountable for people, process, tools, and outcomes, including working “daily triage” of all engineering issues that arise during build and fabrication, the disposition of nonconformances (QNotes), conducting proactive engineering walkdowns to ensure adherence to engineering requirements and design intent, and executing the hardware certification process that will facilitate the turnover of hardware to our downstream customers that is free of defects and ready for flight.

In addition, this role is accountable for the maintenance and continuous improvement of the Payload Attach Fitting, Interstage Adapter and Heat shield components, including maintaining the specification maintenance and overseeing design updates.

• Provide daily triage of all engineering issues that arise during build and fabrication.
• Disposition nonconformance (QNote) in conjunction with ULA Quality.
• Conduct proactive engineering walkdowns to ensure adherence to engineering requirements and design intent.
• Provide engineering resources and leadership to execute mission certification activities, ensuring technical rigor and compliance with internal and external requirements.
• Oversee emergent PAF, ISA and HS design efforts and maintenance of the component specifications.
• Own functional development for the organization, including people development, process definition, and deployment of engineering tools.
• Provide resources and at times leadership to facilitate issue resolution to meet cost, schedule, and technical objectives.
• Provide program and cost account management.
• Interface effectively with customer representatives (US Space Force, NRO, NASA, and Commercial) across technical, programmatic, and operational topics.
• Model and reinforce ULA’s One Team culture, as well as a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement through strong leadership and communication.

Bachelor

Minimum of 8 years of related work experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related technical discipline from an accredited college or university.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible engineering experience, plus a minimum of 2 years managing people, project management and/or team lead experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading engineering or production-support organizations.
• Proven ability to lead through influence and partnership in complex, cross-functional environments.
• Experience with program management, cost control, and organizational leadership.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to align teams and drive shared ownership.

• Advanced degree in Engineering or Business.
• Experience in aerospace, defense, or launch vehicle systems.
• Experience supporting mission certification or operations.

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.

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.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.

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 ).

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.