United Launch Alliance

Launch Operations Chief Engineer

United Launch Alliance$130K — $155K *
Aerospace & Defense
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field from an accredited college.
  • Minimum of 10 years of related work experience.
  • Proven team leadership with operational launch pad experience.
  • Expertise in launch vehicle ground systems and day-of-launch operations.
  • Skilled in evaluating technical risks and managing cost and schedule balances.
  • Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain an active DoD TS/SCI clearance. U.S. citizenship required.

Responsibilities

  • Provide technical oversight for ground systems at launch sites.
  • Lead design, analysis, qualification, test, or system engineering activities for launch operations.
  • Evaluate LOPS systems for the Director of Engineering and ULA Senior Leadership.
  • Chair technical reviews for LOPS systems and manage risk evaluations.
  • Serve as Lead Anomaly Chief for countdown operations.
  • Prepare performance and status reports for post-flight assessments.
  • Co-Chair the LOPS Corrective Action Board and assess liability actions.

Benefits

  • 401(k) match plus additional employer contribution.
  • Discretionary annual incentive bonus for eligible employees.
  • Generous paid time off.
  • Flexible work environments.
  • Enjoy a '9/80 schedule' with every other Friday off.
Full Job Description
Requisition ID: 2071

Location: ULA - Cape Canaveral

Relocation: Yes- Relocation may be available

Travel Requirements: 10%

Job Overview & Responsibilities

The Launch Operations (LOPS) Chief Engineer provides technical leadership and maintains technical oversight for launch operations related to engineering products across all ground systems and their interface to airborne systems. The LOPS CE is accountable for all technical decisions within this scope. This position provides leadership to the Engineering and Operations teams supporting launch operations and has technical responsibility for ensuring 100% Mission Success while achieving business objectives. The LOPS Chief Engineer reports to the Director of Engineering for the Recurring Program.

Job duties include:
  • Provides technical oversight and guidance for recurring ground systems at all launch sites, including Lane A, Lane G, SLC-41, and SLC-3. Leads the team in performing design, analysis, qualification, test, or system engineering activities for launch site operations.
  • Provides technical and programmatic evaluations of all aspects of LOPS systems to the Recurring Operations Director of Engineering, Product Line Chief Engineers and ULA Senior Leadership.
  • Chairs technical decision making reviews for recurring LOPS systems with responsibility for the appropriate technical content, programmatic impact assessments and risk evaluation.
  • Ensures strong integration across technologies and programs using systems engineering methods, technical risk assessments, technical planning, supportability analyses, and effectiveness evaluations throughout the system's lifecycle.
  • Serves as Lead Anomaly Chief (AC) for launch countdown-related operations, responsible for coordinating assignments for ACs, ensuring ACs are trained and certified to support the launch rate.
  • Prepares countdown-related performance and Ground Support Equipment (GSE) and Facilities status report for the Post-Flight Assessment report for each mission.
  • Co-Chair the LOPS Corrective Action Board (CAB). Determines whether LOPS Liables are required to be presented at the monthly CAB meeting. Determines crossover applicability to other sites and programs with appropriate actions.
  • Serves as the owner of the command media governing documentation and adjudication of pre-flight issues or anomalies on the vehicle, Ground Support Equipment (GSE) or facility during processing at the sites. Responsible to ensure acceptable engineering resolution and corrective action.
  • Holds execution responsibility for ground system certification process. Has a focus on how to improve effectiveness and efficiency of certification process.
  • Quorum member of the monthly LOPS Certification Board, chaired by the senior Leader of Assembly & Test (A&T).
  • Approves all Job Hazard Analysis forms in support of Engineering and Infrastructure (E&I) projects.
  • Provides effective coordination and communication with the customer community (NRO, Space Force, NASA and Commercial).


Required Education

Bachelor

Required Years of Experience

Minimum of 10 years of related work experience

Basic Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field from an accredited college.
  • Proven team leadership with experience working at the pace required at an operational launch pad.
  • Experience with complex launch vehicle, missile or space systems with demonstrated expertise in launch vehicle ground systems, day of launch operations, and/or test of complex aerospace systems.
  • Experience in evaluating, balancing and accepting cost, schedule and technical risk.
  • Demonstrated ability to resolve and drive closure of technical issues with a balanced risk posture.
  • Excellent communication skills, with experience in engaging and influencing leadership of both internal and external stakeholders
  • Ability to obtain and maintain an active DoD TS/SCI is required. US Citizenship is required.


Preferred Qualifications

  • Active DOD TS/SCI clearance. US Citizenship is required.


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).

About United Launch Alliance

United Launch Alliance (ULA) is a joint venture between Lockheed Martin Space and Boeing Defense, Space & Security. The company provides reliable and cost-effective launch services for government and commercial customers, including NASA, the Department of Defense, and other agencies. ULA's launch vehicles include the Atlas V and Delta IV families of rockets, which are designed to meet a wide range of mission requirements. The company is committed to delivering innovative solutions that enable customers to achieve their goals in space.
Learn more about United Launch Alliance
Size
3,500 employees
Industry
Founded
2006

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