Simulation Software Engineering Manager 5
This role falls under U.S. export rules, so the posting asks for U.S. person status. That means a U.S. citizen, a green card holder, a refugee or an asylee.
The posting offers a 9/80, 4/10 or other compressed week. More with a 9/80 schedule
About the role
Requisition ID:2254
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** **Simulation Software Engineering Manager 5 , you will lead a talented, high-performing team of engineers that architect, design, develop, and test simulation software solutions for launch vehicle systems. You will coordinate project schedules, monitor development tasks, and provide & analyze metrics to evaluate process execution and reliability. Operating in an agile environment, you will engage with Product Owners, Technology Architects, Quality Assurance, Automation team members, and External Customers on cross-functional activities. As a member of the Software Engineering leadership team, you will help set the direction of the organization, and provide process ownership and technical leadership. You will participate in strategic activities such as proposal efforts, future planning, and developing software roadmaps.
You are skilled at building strong teams and developing people. You have a passion for leading and driving change. You are motivated by improving systems & processes and seeing reliability processes and seeing reliability & user productivity increase. You naturally break down organizational silos and build partnerships. You provide leadership and clarity to create a shared vision and roadmaps to evolve the capabilities of software simulation systems.
The Simulation Software Engineering Manager 5 reports to the All Digital Simulation Senior Manager. They will oversee and direct non-recurring and recurring development activities for integrated vehicle simulation products supporting ULA's launch vehicle programs.
Key Focus Areas:
- Integration and compatibility of simulation products with Flight Software and Ground Software systems
- Simulation/test environments that provide virtual environments for trajectory optimization, analysis, training, and verification
- Simulation infrastructure and support tools
- Model development, validation, verification, and accreditation (VV&A)
- Co-development activities with external customers/partners on simulation frameworks
Specific Responsibilities Include
- Direct responsibility for program execution, cost & schedule, including earned value
- Coordinate with other functional disciplines to resolve technical and programmatic risks, issues, and challenges
- Build partnerships with customers, suppliers, consultants, partners, and internal/external stakeholders
- Ensure software development that is compliant with processes, procedures & requirements
- Reinforce & mature Scaled Agile (SAFe) best practices, principles practices, principles & processes
- Participate in and guide agile ceremonies such as program increment planning, system demos, and design reviews
- Develop and maintain a team of engineers who establish requirements, develop and integrate simulation software and data products, and take them through testing and deployment
- Hiring, performance management, and career growth for team
- Along with other software leaders, shape the evolution of flight software, ground software, and integrated test environments capabilities & roadmaps
- Lead model porting, integration, and VV&A activities across multiple simulation frameworks
- Manage simulation testbed configurations and hardware/software integration
Required Education
Bachelor
Required Years of Experience
Minimum of 8 years of related work experience
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) field from an accredited college or university
- Prior experience managing people or managing programs/projects
- Proven ability to lead across organizational boundaries and as part of cross-functional teams
- Experience with task planning/budgeting and project/program management
- Interpersonal skills (collaboration, motivation, coaching and conflict resolution)
- Excellent communication, interpersonal and facilitation skills
- Experience and ability to drive strong team culture
- Ability to grow and motivate employees
- Self-starter with effective decision-making ability and can work with minimal direction
Preferred Qualifications
- Advanced degrees
- Combination of software/computer science and other engineering degrees (mechanical, electrical, aerospace)
- Previous leadership experience in simulation or modeling & simulation domains
- Lean-Agile (SAFe, Scrum and XP) program/project management experience
- Earned value management (in an Agile setting)
- Proposal development experience
- Experience working with government agencies (NASA, DoD) and IV&V contractor community
- Full software development lifecycle experience in real-time and faster than real-time simulation environments
- Experience with modern software development practices & tools
- Modeling and simulation domain experience (trajectory analysis, vehicle dynamics, avionics simulation, hardware-in-the-loop)
- Hardware & software integration and test experience
- Software architecture experience
- Flight or ground software development experience
- Software test environment development experience
- Experience with simulation frameworks
- Experience with emulation technologies and virtual testbed development
- Cybersecurity for software or test environments experience
- Strong understanding of cybersecurity policies, practices, and procedures
- C++, Python, Linux experience
- Experience with development and execution in cloud platforms (AWS, Azure)
- Experience with real-time operating systems (RTOS) and embedded systems
- Knowledge of avionics systems, flight computers, and bus protocols (1553, RS-422)
- Experience with VV&A processes and methodologies
- Experience with co-development and integration with external partners
Summary Salary Range (for ULA - Denver only): $147,813.00 - $274,510.00
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
Copied from the listing United Launch Alliance published, verified 30 Oct 2026.
About United Launch Alliance
Builds and flies the Atlas V and Vulcan rockets for national security, NASA and commercial customers.
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