Instrumentation & Controls Engineer 3

United Launch Alliance; Centennial (CO); On-site; USD 90,453 - 150,754; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match

Annual bonus potential

Generous paid time off

Flexible work environment

9/80 work schedule

Job summary

United Launch Alliance is seeking an Instrumentation & Control Systems Engineer 3 to support mission-critical control systems. This role requires collaboration on modernizing systems for the Vulcan Centaur launch vehicle while ensuring reliability.

Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related fields and a minimum of 4 years in high-reliability environments. The position offers competitive pay and a flexible work environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 4 years of relevant experience in instrumentation & control engineering.
• Direct experience in designing industrial control schemes.
• Hands-on experience integrating industrial instrumentation.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain instrumentation and control system architectures.
• Integrate modernized systems into legacy architectures.
• Support design of PLC, DCS, SCADA-based control solutions.

Skills

Electrical Engineering

Control Systems Engineering

Instrumentation

PLC

SCADA

DCS

Analytical Skills

Team Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering / Control Systems Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

Job description

Job Details

Requisition ID: 1770
Standard Weekly Hours: 40.00
Location: ULA - Denver
Relocation: Yes- Relocation may be available
Travel Requirements: 25%

Job Overview

The Instrumentation & Control Systems Engineer 3 will support the design, development, implementation, and sustainment of missioncritical control systems and associated instrumentation for ULA's Electrical Ground Support Equipment (EGSE) that fuels, monitors, and launches the Vulcan Centaur launch vehicle. This role focuses on developing modernized control & instrumentation systems that will integrate with ULA's legacy control & instrumentation systems. This individual will bring an innovative mindset, collaborating closely with multidisciplinary ground systems and vehicle design and operations teams to develop requirements and systems that meet modularity, extensibility, reliability, and performance requirements.

Key Roles & Responsibilities

• Develop, review, and maintain instrumentation and control (I&C) system architectures and engineering, including redundancy and resiliency schemes appropriate for missioncritical applications.
• Integrate modernized I&C systems into legacy ULA I&C systems, ensuring minimal impact to recurring launch operations while positioning ULA's ground electrical architecture for future extensibility and capability.
• Specify, select, and integrate field instrumentation & control devices such as transmitters, sensors, analyzers, actuators, and control valves.
• Support design and development of PLC, DCS, SCADAbased, or other control solutions, including creating functional requirements, developing control schemes & architectures, and I/O definitions.
• Produce and interpret engineering documents such as interface control documents, loop sheets, wiring diagrams, system architecture diagrams, and I&C installation details.
• Participate in hazard analyses, failure modes assessments, and reliability reviews to ensure safe and robust system operation.
• Support development and execution of commissioning, verification, and validation procedures for new and upgraded control systems.
• Support technical staff in troubleshooting and resolving complex instrumentation and control system issues in critical operational environments.
• Ensure designs comply with applicable codes, standards, and customer requirements, including documentation and traceability.
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, systems, operations, and safety engineering teams throughout project lifecycle.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives related to controls performance, reliability, and maintainability.
• Support configuration management, change control, and documentation processes for I&C systems.

Required Education

Bachelor

Required Years of Experience

Minimum of 4 years of related work experience

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Control Systems Engineering, or related technical field from an accredited college or university.
• Minimum of 4 years of professional experience in instrumentation & control engineering within critical, mission-essential, or high-reliability environments such as Aerospace, Utility, Data Center, Oil & Gas, Nuclear, Medical Facilities industries.
• Direct experience designing and implementing industrial control schemes (PLC, DCS, SCADA) and interfacing using common communication protocols.
• Handson experience selecting and integrating industrial instrumentation (sensors, transmitters, analyzers, valves, actuators).
• Experience implementing redundancy and resiliency strategies, such as redundant controllers, failover schemes, and diverse instrumentation paths.
• Familiarity with industry standards (ISA, IEEE, NFPA, etc.) relevant to instrumentation and control design.
• Experience with electrical drafting tools (AutoCAD, Zuken, Capital, or equivalent).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Control Systems Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Excellent communication, writing, and oral skills and demonstrated ability to work with a wide range of team members, customers, and subcontractors.
• Experience developing & managing system, subsystem, and component-level requirements through the product development lifecycle.
• Familiarity with SSCMAN 91710 requirements, verification/validation processes, and compliance expectations.
• Proven proficiency with interpreting and developing P&IDs, loop diagrams, I/O lists, wiring diagrams, and control narratives.
• Demonstrated strong troubleshooting and problemsolving capabilities for operational I&C systems.
• Demonstrated ability to integrate modernized COTS hardware solutions into legacy systems.
• Experience working in R&D and innovation-centric programs.
• Ability to move forward with engineering design decisions in absence of defined requirements.
• Experience with requirements & product lifecycle management tools (DOORS, Teamcenter, etc.)
• Experience in aerospace, launch facilities, defense programs, or other highly regulated/highconsequence technical environments.
• Exposure to safetyinstrumented systems (SIS) and standards such as ISA/IEC 61511 or 61508.
• Experience performing or supporting commissioning, verification, and validation of I&C systems.
• Understanding of cybersecurity considerations for operational technology (OT) systems.
• Experience with reliability engineering methodologies such as FMEA, FTA, RBD, or RCM.
• Experience with control system modeling or simulation tools (MATLAB/Simulink or equivalent).
• Familiarity with telemetry, telecommunications, and timing standards such as IRIG 106, IRIG-B, NTP, PTP, etc.
• Ability to work with classified and export-controlled (ITAR) material.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, if required.

Benefits

• 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.

Salary

Summary Salary Range (for ULA - Denver only): $90,453.00 - $150,754.00

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.

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.

Equal Opportunity Employer

ULA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.

Federal E-Verify Program

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

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.