Requisition ID: 2290
Location: ULA - Decatur
Relocation: No
Travel Requirements: 10%
Job Overview & ResponsibilitiesKey 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 EducationBachelor
Required Years of ExperienceMinimum 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.
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).
