Launch Operations Chief Engineer

United Launch Alliance•Cape Canaveral, FL

5d•Onsite

About The Position

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.

Requirements

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.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

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).