United Launch Alliance

Rockets for national security and NASA

Instrumentation & Controls Engineer 3

Controls & Automation EngineeringUpdated on Nov 14

Full-timeCentennial, CO, USA

About the Job

Requirements

A bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Control Systems Engineering, or a related technical field from an accredited college or university is required.
At least four years of professional instrumentation and control engineering experience in critical, mission-essential, or high-reliability environments such as aerospace, utilities, data centers, oil and gas, nuclear, or medical facilities is required.
Direct experience designing and implementing industrial control schemes using programmable logic controllers, distributed control systems, or supervisory control and data acquisition, and interfacing through common communication protocols, is required.
Hands-on experience selecting and integrating industrial instrumentation, including sensors, transmitters, analyzers, valves, and actuators, is required.
Experience implementing redundancy and resiliency strategies, such as redundant controllers, failover schemes, and diverse instrumentation paths, is required.
Familiarity with relevant industry standards such as ISA, IEEE, and NFPA is required.
Experience with electrical drafting tools such as AutoCAD, Zuken, Capital, or equivalent is required.
Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams are required.
The ability to work with classified and export-controlled ITAR material is preferred.
The ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, if required, is preferred.

Responsibilities

Develop, review, and maintain instrumentation and control system architectures and engineering, including redundancy and resiliency schemes for mission-critical applications.
Integrate modernized instrumentation and control systems into legacy systems while minimizing impact to recurring launch operations and supporting future extensibility and capability.
Specify, select, and integrate field instrumentation and control devices, including transmitters, sensors, analyzers, actuators, and control valves.
Support design and development of programmable logic controller, distributed control system, supervisory control and data acquisition, or other control solutions, including functional requirements, control schemes and architectures, and input/output definitions.
Produce and interpret interface control documents, loop sheets, wiring diagrams, system architecture diagrams, and instrumentation and control installation details.
Participate in hazard analyses, failure modes assessments, and reliability reviews to support safe and robust system operation.
Support development and execution of commissioning, verification, and validation procedures for new and upgraded control systems.
Support technical staff in troubleshooting and resolving complex instrumentation and control system issues in critical operational environments.
Ensure designs comply with applicable codes, standards, and customer requirements, including documentation and traceability.
Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, systems, operations, and safety engineering teams throughout the project lifecycle.
Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives related to controls performance, reliability, and maintainability.
Support configuration management, change control, and documentation processes for instrumentation and control systems.

Desired Qualifications

A master's degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Control Systems Engineering, or a related discipline is preferred.
Experience developing and managing system-, subsystem-, and component-level requirements through the product development lifecycle is preferred.
Familiarity with SSCMAN 91-710 requirements, verification and validation processes, and compliance expectations is preferred.
Proficiency interpreting and developing piping and instrumentation diagrams, loop diagrams, input/output lists, wiring diagrams, and control narratives is preferred.
Troubleshooting and problem-solving experience with operational instrumentation and control systems is preferred.
Experience integrating modernized commercial off-the-shelf hardware solutions into legacy systems is preferred.
Experience working in research and development and innovation-centric programs is preferred.
Ability to make engineering design decisions when requirements are not defined is preferred.
Experience with requirements and product lifecycle management tools such as DOORS and Teamcenter is preferred.
Experience in aerospace, launch facilities, defense programs, or other highly regulated or high-consequence technical environments is preferred.
Exposure to safety-instrumented systems and standards such as ISA/IEC 61511 or 61508 is preferred.
Experience performing or supporting commissioning, verification, and validation of instrumentation and control systems is preferred.
Understanding of cybersecurity considerations for operational technology systems is preferred.
Experience with reliability engineering methodologies such as failure mode and effects analysis, fault tree analysis, reliability block diagrams, or reliability-centered maintenance is preferred.
Experience with control system modeling or simulation tools such as MATLAB/Simulink or equivalent is preferred.
Familiarity with telemetry, telecommunications, and timing standards such as IRIG 106, IRIG-B, NTP, or PTP is preferred.

Requisition ID: 1770

Standard Weekly Hours: 40.00

Location: ULA - Denver

Relocation: Yes- Relocation may be available

Travel Requirements: 25%

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 Instrumentation & Control Systems Engineer 3 will support the design, development, implementation, and sustainment of mission‑critical control systems and associated instrumentation for ULA’s Electrical Ground Support Equipment (EGSE) that fuels, monitors, and launches the Vulcan Centaur launch vehicle. This role focuses on developing modernized control & instrumentation systems that will integrate with ULA’s legacy control & instrumentation systems. This individual will bring an innovative mindset, collaborating closely with multidisciplinary ground systems and vehicle design and operations teams to develop requirements and systems that meet modularity, extensibility, reliability, and performance requirements.

Key Roles & Responsibilities

Develop, review, and maintain instrumentation and control (I&C) system architectures and engineering, including redundancy and resiliency schemes appropriate for mission‑critical applications.
Integrate modernized I&C systems into legacy ULA I&C systems, ensuring minimal impact to recurring launch operations while positioning ULA’s ground electrical architecture for future extensibility and capability.
Specify, select, and integrate field instrumentation & control devices such as transmitters, sensors, analyzers, actuators, and control valves.
Support design and development of PLC, DCS, SCADA‑based, or other control solutions, including creating functional requirements, developing control schemes & architectures, and I/O definitions.
Produce and interpret engineering documents such as interface control documents, loop sheets, wiring diagrams, system architecture diagrams, and I&C installation details.
Participate in hazard analyses, failure modes assessments, and reliability reviews to ensure safe and robust system operation.
Support development and execution of commissioning, verification, and validation procedures for new and upgraded control systems.
Support technical staff in troubleshooting and resolving complex instrumentation and control system issues in critical operational environments.
Ensure designs comply with applicable codes, standards, and customer requirements, including documentation and traceability
Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, systems, operations, and safety engineering teams throughout project lifecycle
Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives related to controls performance, reliability, and maintainability
Support configuration management, change control, and documentation processes for I&C systems

Required Education

Bachelor

Required Years of Experience

Minimum of 4 years of related work experience

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Control Systems Engineering, or related technical field from an accredited college or university.
Minimum of 4 years of professional experience in instrumentation & control engineering within critical, mission-essential, or high-reliability environments such as Aerospace, Utility, Data Center, Oil & Gas, Nuclear, Medical Facilities industries.
Direct experience designing and implementing industrial control schemes (PLC, DCS, SCADA) and interfacing using common communication protocols.
Hands‑on experience selecting and integrating industrial instrumentation (sensors, transmitters, analyzers, valves, actuators).
Experience implementing redundancy and resiliency strategies, such as redundant controllers, failover schemes, and diverse instrumentation paths.
Familiarity with industry standards (ISA, IEEE, NFPA, etc.) relevant to instrumentation and control design.
Experience with electrical drafting tools (AutoCAD, Zuken, Capital, or equivalent).
Strong written and verbal communication skills with ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams.

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Control Systems Engineering, or a related discipline.
Excellent communication, writing, and oral skills and demonstrated ability to work with a wide range of team members, customers, and subcontractors.
Experience developing & managing system, subsystem, and component-level requirements through the product development lifecycle.
Familiarity with SSCMAN 91‑710 requirements, verification/validation processes, and compliance expectations.
Proven proficiency with interpreting and developing P&IDs, loop diagrams, I/O lists, wiring diagrams, and control narratives.
Demonstrated strong troubleshooting and problem‑solving capabilities for operational I&C systems.
Demonstrated ability to integrate modernized COTS hardware solutions into legacy systems.
Experience working in R&D and innovation-centric programs.
Ability to move forward with engineering design decisions in absence of defined requirements.
Experience with requirements & product lifecycle management tools (DOORS, Teamcenter, etc.)
Experience in aerospace, launch facilities, defense programs, or other highly regulated/high‑consequence technical environments.
Exposure to safety‑instrumented systems (SIS) and standards such as ISA/IEC 61511 or 61508.
Experience performing or supporting commissioning, verification, and validation of I&C systems.
Understanding of cybersecurity considerations for operational technology (OT) systems.
Experience with reliability engineering methodologies such as FMEA, FTA, RBD, or RCM.
Experience with control system modeling or simulation tools (MATLAB/Simulink or equivalent).
Familiarity with telemetry, telecommunications, and timing standards such as IRIG 106, IRIG-B, NTP, PTP, etc.
Ability to work with classified and export-controlled (ITAR) material.
Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, if required.

Summary Salary Range (for ULA - Denver only): $90,453.00 - $150,754.00

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, 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.

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.

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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