Inactive

United Launch Alliance

Rockets for national security and NASA

Mechanical Engineer 4

Design EngineeringPosted on Nov 4

Full-timeDecatur, AL, USANo salary listed

About the Job

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field is required.
At least 6 years of engineering experience, with significant tooling and fixtures emphasis, is required.
Strong proficiency in computer-aided design (CAD) is required; commonly used aerospace platforms include Creo, NX, or CATIA.
Experience designing complex aerospace tooling is required, including lifting and handling fixtures, assembly jigs, precision alignment tooling, and composite layup or metallic fabrication tooling.
Ability to perform tolerance stackups and apply geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) per ASME Y14.5 is required.
Experience with aerospace manufacturing processes such as machining, composites, welding, metrology, or assembly integration is required.
Knowledge of MIL-STD and aerospace safety and ergonomics requirements, including lift safety, failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA), and risk reduction, is required.
Ability to lead tooling projects independently with minimal oversight is required.
Experience writing technical documentation, tooling specifications, procurement packages, and change control is required.
Ability to collaborate across Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Processes, Quality, Production, and Launch Operations teams is required.
Ability to mentor junior tool engineers or technicians is required.

Responsibilities

Lead the design, analysis, and development of advanced tooling, fixtures, lift devices, and assembly aids used in aerospace manufacturing and integration.
Develop complete tool design packages, including 3D models, drawings, GD&T, tolerance analyses, and specification documents.
Provide technical oversight during fabrication, tooling buyoff, installation, validation, and production support.
Partner with Manufacturing Engineering, Production, Quality, and Materials and Processes teams to define tooling needs and ensure solutions meet safety, ergonomics, quality, and manufacturability requirements.
Conduct engineering analyses to validate tooling performance, including stress checks, load paths, fit-up, and tolerance stacks.
Drive root-cause investigations and corrective actions for tooling-related issues affecting production or integration.
Manage projects, including schedules, cost estimates, supplier coordination, and risk mitigation.
Support continuous improvement initiatives, including automation, lean tooling strategies, and workflow optimization.
Ensure tooling complies with ASME, OSHA, and aerospace industry standards for lifting, handling, and safety.
Mentor junior engineers and provide technical guidance across the tooling organization.

Desired Qualifications

A master’s degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, or Aerospace Engineering is preferred.
6–10+ years of tooling engineering experience, particularly supporting flight hardware or large aerospace structures, is preferred.
Advanced expertise with major CAD platforms (Creo, CATIA, or NX), including surfacing, large assembly management, and kinematic or mechanism modeling, is preferred.
Experience with automated tooling systems, robotics, or PLC-controlled fixtures is preferred.
A background in composites tooling, autoclave molds, or metallic forming dies is preferred.
Hands-on experience validating tooling on the factory floor, including Gage R&R, buyoff, and metrology alignment, is preferred.
Knowledge of AS9100, NASA, DoD, or MIL-STD manufacturing requirements is preferred.
Experience in design for manufacturing/design for assembly (DFM/DFA), lean manufacturing practices, and ergonomics optimization is preferred.
Ability to lead cross-functional technical teams or direct suppliers through fabrication and qualification is preferred.
Experience with stress analysis, finite element analysis (FEA), or structural validation of lifting and handling devices is preferred.
A strong understanding of crane and lifting safety, load certification, and OSHA regulations is preferred.
Prior experience supporting launch vehicle tooling, spacecraft structures, large tanks, or precision alignment operations in VAB, ITL, or integration environments is preferred.
Demonstrated ability to mentor junior engineers and influence engineering strategy is preferred.

Requisition ID: 2290

Location: ULA - Decatur

Relocation: No

Travel Requirements: 10%

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

Key Responsibilities

Lead the design, analysis, and development of advanced tooling, fixtures, lift devices, and assembly aids used in aerospace manufacturing and integration.
Develop complete tool design packages, including 3D models, drawings, GD&T, tolerance analyses, and specification documents.
Provide technical oversight during fabrication, tooling buyoff, installation, validation, and production support.
Partner with Manufacturing Engineering, Production, Quality, and M&P teams to define tooling needs and ensure that solutions meet requirements for safety, ergonomics, quality, and manufacturability.
Conduct engineering analyses to validate tooling performance (stress checks, load paths, fit‑up, tolerance stacks).
Drive root‑cause investigation and corrective actions for tooling-related issues affecting production or integration.
Manage projects including schedule, cost estimates, supplier coordination, and risk mitigation.
Support continuous improvement initiatives including automation, lean tooling strategies, and workflow optimization.
Ensure tooling compliance with ASME, OSHA, and aerospace industry standards for lifting, handling, and safety.
Mentor junior engineers and provide technical guidance across the tooling organization.

Required Education

Bachelor

Required Years of Experience

Minimum of 6 years of related work experience

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related technical field.
Minimum 6 years of engineering experience (with significant tooling/fixtures emphasis).
Strong CAD proficiency (most aerospace uses Creo, NX, or CATIA).
Proven ability to design complex aerospace tooling, including:
• Lifting/handling fixtures
• Assembly jigs
• Precision alignment tooling
• Composite layup or metallic fabrication tooling
Ability to perform tolerance stackups and apply GD&T per ASME Y14.5.
Experience with aerospace manufacturing processes such as machining, composites, welding, metrology, or assembly integration.
Knowledge of MIL‑STD and aerospace safety/ergonomics requirements, including lift safety, FMEA, and risk reduction.
Demonstrated ability to lead tooling projects independently with minimal oversight.
Experience writing technical documentation, tooling specifications, procurement packages, and change control.
Ability to collaborate across ME, M&P, Quality, Production, and Launch Ops teams.
Ability to mentor junior tool engineers or technicians.

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, or Aerospace Engineering.
6-10+ years of tooling engineering experience, particularly supporting flight hardware or large aerospace structures.
Advanced expertise with major CAD platforms (Creo / CATIA / NX), including:
• Surfacing
• Large assembly management
• Kinematic/mechanism modeling
Experience with automated tooling systems, robotics, or PLC‑controlled fixtures.
Proven background with composites tooling, autoclave molds, or metallic forming dies.
Hands‑on experience validating tooling on the factory floor (Gage R&R, buyoff, metrology alignment).
Knowledge of AS9100, NASA, DoD, or MIL‑STD manufacturing requirements.
Experience in DFM/DFA, lean manufacturing practices, and ergonomics optimization.
Ability to lead cross‑functional technical teams or direct suppliers through fabrication and qualification.
Experience with stress analysis, FEA, or structural validation of lifting/handling devices.
Strong understanding of crane/lifting safety, load certification, and OSHA regulations.
Prior experience supporting launch vehicle tooling, spacecraft structures, large tanks, or precision alignment operations (VAB, ITL, integration environments).
Demonstrated ability to mentor junior engineers and influence engineering strategy.

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, engagement 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.

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.

About the Company

United Launch Alliance

Rockets for national security and NASA

ULA builds launch vehicles for national security, NASA and commercial space missions. Its rockets are designed to reach challenging and distant orbits and deliver highly accurate payload insertions, offering wide orbital flexibility for different mission profiles. The company’s approach centers on providing reliable, direct-to-orbit capabilities tailored to meet customers’ needs for secure national missions, space agency programs, and commercial launches. The goal is to expand access to space by offering dependable, precise launches that can place payloads into the specific orbits required by each mission.

Company size: 1,001-5,000
Company stage: Debt Financing
Total funding: $1.6B
Headquarters: Centennial, CO
Founded: 2006

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