Strength Analyst Lead 4 - Vulcan Development
Date: Oct 20, 2026
Location: Centennial, CO, US, 80112
Company: United Launch Alliance
Requisition ID: 2269
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
As a Structural Analysis Team Lead who has ownership over technical scope assigned to the team, job responsibilities include the following:
- Candidate will lead a team of analysts through Vulcan Development activities, including Centaur V on SLS in support of Artemis and Upper Stage Advancement long-duration capabilities
- Candidate will lead the team in advanced strength, fatigue and fracture analyses of structural components, including nonlinear analyses
- Candidate will facilitate work scope planning, prioritization, execution, and issue resolution and communicate status to program leaders
- Candidate will create advanced analysis models, perform hand calculations, and understand analysis best practices to provide strength inputs and recommendations for new designs and installations
- Candidate will review and approve 3D engineering layouts, 3D models, designs/drawings, and 2D drawing changes for a variety of propulsion, fluid system, and mechanical system components
- Candidate will make engineering design recommendations with consideration of thermal, mechanical, and pressure loading using appropriate material properties, configurations, safety factors, etc.
- Candidate will document analysis results in strength reports
- Candidate will drive internal peer reviews, tabletop reviews, and formal design reviews as needed
- Candidate will support fast-paced design/analysis cycles and evaluate hardware nonconformances to support production activities
- Candidate must be able to work independently and coordinate their efforts across functional and product teams
- Candidate will assist in developing the team’s processes and capabilities as well as mentor junior engineers
- Candidate will assist the team in creating analysis automation tools
- Candidate will need familiarity with the following tools/software:
- Nastran (static, modal, dynamic and nonlinear analysis solutions)
- Femap pre-/post-processor
- NX CAD/Simulation
- NASGRO fracture mechanics tool
- Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Unix/Linux-mainframe-based analysis tools
- Matlab
- Abaqus
- Jira
Required Education
Bachelor
Required Years of Experience
Minimum of 6 years of related work experience
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in engineering or related technical field from an accredited college or university
- Ability to resolve technical issues, leveraging all available analysis tools and methodologies
- Ability to make design recommendations based on first-order analysis results and engineering judgement/experience
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools and Agile tools, including Jira
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a team environment
- Detailed understanding of materials and material properties
- Advanced experience with structural analysis (tanks, adapters, brackets)
- Advanced experience analysis of propulsion hardware (tubing, ducting, flex joints)
- Understanding of fatigue/fracture analysis methodology and the ability to develop tools that facilitate this analysis
- Understanding of bolted joint analysis and modeling and the ability to develop tools that facilitate this analysis
- Understanding of GD&T standards and principles
- Understanding of analysis best practices and underlying assumptions, along with the ability to establish these standards for the team
- Understanding of basic hand calculations
- Experience resolving hardware nonconformances
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience as technical lead in an aerospace development program
- Experience running/creating analysis automation and pre- and post-processing scripts using the following tools:
- Unix, Matlab, Python, Excel
- Experience developing tools for analyzing propulsion systems including tubing, ducting, bellows, and supplier components
- Experience leading static/dynamic testing and model correlation
- Experience leading structural optimization techniques for mass savings
- Experience integrating with system-level analysis models (e.g. coupled loads models)
- Experience with NASA man-rating analysis and qualification requirements, including but not limited to NASA-STD-5019 and NASA-STD-5001
- General knowledge of fabrication methods for mechanical hardware, such as machining, welding, processing and assembly
- Familiarity with mechanical support equipment
- Familiarity with composite structural analysis
- Experience leading analysis efforts that support cross-functional teams
- Experience working development programs within the Agile framework and understanding of Agile tools, including Jira
Summary Salary Range (for ULA - Denver only): $121,307.00 - $202,178.00
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