Material & Process Engineer 5
About The Position
United Launch Alliance is seeking a Metallurgical Engineer to join its Parts, Materials, and Processes (PMP) Engineering team in Centennial, Colorado. The Material and Process Engineer supports launch-vehicle hardware from conceptual design through production and flight qualification, applying metallurgical expertise to design, analysis, material selection, process development, and material qualification. The role evaluates how alloy composition, processing history, heat treatment, microstructure, and manufacturing processes affect material and hardware performance. It supports and leads development of materials, forming techniques, heat-treatment procedures, manufacturing processes, specifications, design criteria, and engineering standards. The engineer also evaluates technical implications of changes involving materials, suppliers, processes, and heat treatments; conducts investigations and failure analyses; develops and reviews test plans; establishes supplier technical requirements; mentors less-experienced engineers; communicates technical recommendations; and reviews and approves engineering drawings. The position is based in Denver, Colorado, with 10% travel and relocation potentially available. The listed salary range for ULA–Denver is $145,806–$243,009. Eligible employees may also receive a discretionary annual bonus. Most salaried ULA team members work a 9/80 schedule, with every other Friday off. This position requires applicants to be U.S. Persons as defined by ITAR.
Requirements
- Bachelor of Science degree in Materials Science, Materials Engineering, or Metallurgical Engineering.
- At least 8 years of experience in metallurgical or materials engineering.
- Demonstrated experience resolving complex material and process anomalies.
- Working knowledge of military and commercial materials and process specifications.
- Ability to multitask and prioritize daily tasks and long-term projects.
- Experience working independently and in a team environment.
- Experience with Microsoft Office.
- Strong technical writing, communication, presentation, and time-management skills.
- Demonstrated experience developing and executing test campaigns to qualify components, materials, and processes.
- Experience managing materials- and process-related databases.
- Ability to travel to suppliers, test houses, and other ULA sites.
- Demonstrated experience applying materials engineering to hardware design and development.
- Strong technical knowledge of metallic materials, processing, microstructure, and mechanical properties.
- Must be a U.S. Person as defined by ITAR.
Nice To Haves
- Demonstrated experience with nickel-based superalloys, including their processing, properties, and applications such as Alloy 718.
- Experience with fatigue, crack growth, fracture toughness, and cryogenic material testing.
- Experience developing or evaluating material allowables.
- Advanced degree in Metallurgical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related discipline.
- Experience leading technical projects or mentoring engineers.
Responsibilities
- Support design, analysis, material selection, process development, and material qualification for launch vehicles.
- Provide metallurgical engineering expertise throughout the hardware lifecycle, from conceptual design through production and flight qualification.
- Evaluate the effects of alloy composition, processing history, heat treatment, microstructure, and manufacturing processes on material and hardware performance.
- Support development of material and process specifications, design criteria, and engineering standards.
- Lead or support qualification and development of new materials, forming techniques, heat-treatment procedures, and manufacturing processes.
- Evaluate technical implications of changes to materials, suppliers, manufacturing processes, and heat treatments.
- Lead metallurgical investigations and failure analyses involving development and flight hardware.
- Apply fracture mechanics, failure-analysis, and metallurgical principles to understand hardware anomalies and establish root cause.
- Develop and review material test plans and evaluate test results.
- Establish technical requirements for suppliers.
- Mentor less-experienced PMP Engineers.
- Communicate metallurgical concepts and technical recommendations to engineering leadership, design teams, and production.
- Review and approve engineering drawings.
- Travel to suppliers, test houses, and other ULA sites as needed.
Benefits
- 401(k) match plus an additional employer contribution.
- Discretionary annual incentive bonus for eligible employees.
- Generous paid time off.
- Flexible work environments.
- Most salaried team members work a 9/80 schedule, with every other Friday off.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
