Contamination Control Engineer 1

United Launch Alliance (ULA); Florida; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match

Discretionary annual incentive bonus

Generous paid time off

Flexible work environments

9/80 schedule

Job summary

United Launch Alliance is seeking a Contamination Control Engineer RS-1 to join our Cape Canaveral team. You will help analyze, design, and integrate contamination control for Vulcan missions, ensuring cleanliness and compliance.

The role requires a Bachelor's in Chemical Engineering, strong problem-solving, and the ability to travel and work extended hours as needed. You will collaborate with engineers and technicians in a fast-paced space environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering from an accredited college or university is required.
• Ability to work with minimum supervision and solve complex problems using engineering principles.
• Understanding of non-metallic material property testing and compatibility.
• Exposure to instrumental analysis, contamination control, and computer programs.
• Analytical problem-solving skills using engineering/scientific principles.
• Interpersonal and teamwork abilities with strong verbal and written communication.
• Willingness to travel and work extended hours when needed.

Responsibilities

• Develop contamination control requirements aligned with mission needs.
• Support cleaning and sampling events, addressing contamination issues during launches.
• Analyze molecular and particulate contamination sources and deposition.
• Develop contamination-control hardware cleanliness requirements and operational specs.
• Communicate the contamination control program across the organization and with customers.
• Occasional travel to design heads, launch sites, and factories.

Skills

Independent work

Material compatibility

Instrumental analysis

Analytical thinking

Teamwork

Communication

Travel readiness

Flexibility

Physical stamina

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Requisition ID: 2312

Location: ULA - Cape Canaveral

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

United Launch Alliance is seeking a proactive, effective, and innovative Contamination Control Engineer RS-1 to join our team at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, FL. The successful candidate will be a key member of a world-class team in supporting the analysis, design, and integration of Vulcan missions. These efforts support our mission to Save Lives, Explore the Universe, and Connect the World.

The Contamination Control Engineer Position Includes The Following Responsibilities

• Develops launch vehicle system contamination control requirements consistent with mission needs and ensures implementation and verification of requirements across the organization including production and launch operations.
• Supports flight hardware cleaning and sampling events and solves contamination issues as they arise during launch operations, while collaborating with a team of engineers and technicians.
• Performs analyses of launch vehicle molecular and particulate contamination sources, transport and deposition onto payload surfaces.
• Develops requirements for contamination-critical hardware molecular and particulate cleanliness and develops contamination control operational requirements consistent with achieving and maintaining required cleanliness levels.
• Articulates the contamination control program via written and oral communications across the organization and with the external customer community.
• Periodic travel to our engineering design headquarters, launch sites and Factory is required.

Required Education

Bachelor

Required Years Of Experience

None required

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering from an accredited college or university is required.
• The ability to work with minimum supervision and solve complex problems independently by applying engineering principles and concepts.
• Understanding of non-metallic material property testing and compatibility.
• Exposure to instrumental analysis, contamination control, and various computer programs.
• Must have ability to solve difficult problems by applying basic engineering/scientific principles and concepts.
• Must have interpersonal skills, including the ability to work well with others.
• Strong and effective communication skills, verbal and written.
• Knowledge and proficiency in Microsoft Office, Word, Excel & PowerPoint.
• Must be able to travel when required.
• This position will require working extended hours, weekends, and 2nd or 3rd shifts as necessary to support vehicle processing and launch.
• Ability to work at elevated heights and small spaces.
• Candidates must possess a valid driver's license and personal transportation to drive between work locations on a military base where public transportation is not available. Job duties require traveling between locations on the military base throughout the course of the day.
• As a condition of employment, individual must be able to obtain and therefore maintain the minimum of a DOD Secret security clearance to support National Security Space missions and access classified information, to include be COMSEC briefed, up to the DOD Secret level.
• All applicants must be U.S. persons within the meaning of ITAR. ITAR defines a U.S. person as a natural person who is a lawful permanent resident as defined in 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20) or who is a protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). ULA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Chemical Engineering from an accredited college or university.
• Proactive to help drive intelligent designs, and collaborates well in design, analysis, and shop floor team environments.
• Training in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering.
• Experience with GC, FTIR, microscope, and wet chemistry methodologies.
• Experience with molecular and particulate contamination source, transport and deposition phenomena and techniques for analysis.
• Experience with molecular and particulate contamination sampling and monitoring techniques. Familiarity with standard testing techniques (e.g.: ASTM E-595, ASTM-E-1559, ASTM-E-1216, ASTM-E-1235).
• Experience with aerospace (spacecraft and/or launch system) contamination control processes.
• Experience with Thermal Desktop, AutoCAD, MATHCAD software.

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.

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.