Ground Systems Software Engineer 3
Date: Sep 1, 2026
Location: Centennial, CO, US, 80112
Company: United Launch Alliance
Requisition ID: 2017
Standard Weekly Hours: 40.00
Location: ULA - Denver
Relocation: Yes- Relocation may be available
Travel Requirements: 10%
At ULA, success comes through the efforts of a strong, united team.
Thanks for your interest in United Launch Alliance, the world's most experienced and reliable space launch company! Successfully launching more than 155 consecutive missions with 100% mission success doesn't happen by accident. It's a testament to the commitment and dedication of our team of rocket scientists and support employees combined with the systems and processes we use to pull them together. As a ULA employee, you'll have the opportunity to grow in your career while working in a team-oriented culture that combines technology, innovation, ingenuity and a commitment to the extraordinary. Whether you are in college just launching your career, or, have experience and want to come work with the best rocket team in the world, our unshakable unity yields stronger solutions and better results as we carry out our mission to save lives, explore the universe, and connect the world. Our team is excited to meet you!
Job Overview & Responsibilities
At ULA, as a Ground Systems Software Engineer 3, you are a fully trained, independent contributor responsible for maintaining and developing new software products, implementing modern design principles and concepts, and providing solutions to a wide range of difficult technical problems for the command, control and monitoring of the launch vehicle's avionics suite and electrical ground support equipment. Your solutions will be imaginative, thorough, practical, and consistent with organization objectives.
You will work with a highly collaborative team in an Agile environment embracing a "fail-fast" mentality (fail fast, react quickly, and learn from every failure). You will engage with Product Owners, Technology Architects, QA and/or Automation team members on cross-functional activities to design, develop, and test cutting-edge software solutions. You will be expected to communicate well, work with diverse teams, and quickly pick up new technical concepts.
In this position, you will primarily support the Ground Software Avionics team, working with minimal direction to provide both technical leadership and hands-on development to deliver operational and enabling capabilities that meet hard real-time requirements for command and control of launch vehicle avionics and electrical ground support equipment systems. You will independently determine and develop approaches to problems. You will serve in a lead role where general guidance and training of less experienced engineers is needed, and may be considered for Authorized Systems Engineer (ASE) responsibilities. You will help ensure delivery of mission-critical software used during launch vehicle manufacturing, preflight test, and launch countdown to prep our rockets for flight. Additionally, you will actively support launch events by shadowing launch operations teams remotely.
You will design, develop, operate, and maintain software and firmware components and computing systems software to be applied to and integrated with launch systems, taking ownership of specific programs and projects, or portions of larger projects having considerable scope and impact. You will apply the appropriate standards, processes, procedures, and tools throughout the system development life cycle to support the generation of engineering applications and products such as display systems, mechanical control systems, and electrical control systems that are directly used to operate all our rockets. You will interface with customers, suppliers, application users, and other technical and support personnel to produce high-quality software that meets stakeholder needs.
Required Education
Bachelor
Required Years of Experience
Minimum of 4 years of related work experience
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) field from an accredited college or university with a minimum of 4+ years of related work experience
- Experience working on an agile development team
- Experience independently designing, developing, and delivering solutions to difficult software/hardware problems
- Experience presenting hardware/software system architecture and designs to both internal audiences as well as external customers
- Experience in authoring, executing, and reviewing software products and their implementation throughout the full software development life cycle
- Experience with object-oriented designs and languages
- Experience with C/C++
- Experience with Software Configuration Management practices including
- Agile Methodologies
- Test Driven Development (TDD)
- Software Design Principles
- Configuration Management practices and tools such as Git
- Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CI/CD)
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with designing and architecting software for complex solutions
- Experience serving as a technical lead on software development efforts
- Experience providing guidance, training, or mentoring to less experienced engineers
- Experience with Python
- Experience with real-time Linux-based operating systems
- Expertise with development and troubleshooting of timing-critical hardware and Software systems
- Experience with secure software development practices
- Experience with command and control software for ground support equipment, industrial control systems, or similar safety-critical applications
- Experience in the aerospace, launch, or defense industry
Summary Salary Range (for ULA - Denver only): $113,122.00 - $188,537.00
Please note that the salary information shown above is a general guideline only. Salaries are based upon a candidate's experience and qualifications, as well as internal equity, market and business considerations. Employees may be eligible for a discretionary annual bonus in addition to base pay.
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.
The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.
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).
ULA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.
ULA is a participant in the federal E-Verify Program. Posters in PDF format pertaining to this program can be accessed by clicking on the links identified below. E-Verify Participation poster (English / Spanish) and Right to Work Poster (English / Spanish).
Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act requires covered employees to follow a post selection notification process. A hired candidate may opt out of this process by notifying the hiring manager in writing at the time the offer is accepted
Nearest Major Market: Denver