Propulsion Systems Engineer 1

ULA•Decatur, IL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

At United Launch Alliance (ULA), success is built on the collective efforts of a strong, united team. ULA is the world's most experienced and reliable space launch company, with over 155 consecutive missions launched with 100% mission success. This role involves dual responsibilities within the Design and Analysis teams, focusing on the Propulsion fluids systems (cryogenic, non-cryogenic, hydraulics, and pneumatics). The engineer will provide critical support for the final integration and assembly of space launch vehicles and their propulsion systems, ensuring engineering design and analysis, systems integration, subcontract management, product technical support, and anomaly resolution meet requirements.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, physics, or related STEM field from an accredited college or university.
Familiarity with aerospace mechanical design capability.
Understanding of dynamic, structural, and fluids analysis concepts.
Ability to identify key barriers/core problems and apply problem-solving skills.
Familiarity with schedule development and management.
Excellent communication skills (oral and written).
Experience working with cross-functional teams.
Microsoft Office Applications (PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Project, Visio).
Must be a U.S. Person as defined in ITAR 22 CFR 120.62.

Nice To Haves

Experience/familiarity with preferred 3D-modeling and analysis software: NASTRAN (Static, Modal, Dynamic and Non-Linear Analysis Solutions), FEMAP pre/post processor, NX CAD/Simulation, NASGRO fracture mechanics tool, Unix/Linux mainframe based analysis tools, MathCad, ABAQUS, Matlab, Teamcenter.
Experience with dispositioning hardware and system nonconformances (EMRB).
Familiarity with common production/machining processes and procedures.

Responsibilities

Support recurring propulsion engineering design/analysis and vehicle production activities.
Ensure all design and manufacturing processes satisfy overall launch vehicle and sub-system requirements.
Perform system integration and system level trade studies to optimize designs for manufacturing, producibility, and performance.
Generate engineering drawings or changes, as well as assembly and testing requirements.
Resolve testing and production anomalies to identify root cause, leading to effective resolution and corrective actions that prevent recurrence.
Support Production processing and nonconformance resolution.
Develop design improvements that reduce cost and risk and/or improve performance and/or reliability.
Review the as-built product (hardware and associated software) and product test data to certify that the final product configuration and performance meets requirements and is ready for test and/or flight.
Perform strength, fatigue, and fracture analysis of propulsion and structural components, including non-linear analysis for the propulsion fluids systems.
Create analysis models, perform hand calculations, and understand analysis best practices to provide strength inputs and recommendations for new designs and installations.
Review and approve 3-D engineering layouts, 3-D models, designs/drawings, and 2-D drawing changes for a variety of propulsion, fluid system, and mechanical system components.
Make engineering design recommendations considering thermal, mechanical, and pressure loading using appropriate material properties, configurations, and safety factors.
Document analysis results in strength reports.
Support internal peer reviews, table top reviews, and formal design reviews as needed.