Human Spaceflight Reliability Engineer (Hybrid) Centaur V

ARES Corporation seeks a Human Spaceflight Reliability Engineer to join an engineering team supporting United Launch Alliance (ULA) and NASA’s Artemis program. The selected candidate will provide critical reliability engineering support for the Centaur V upper stage on crewed Artemis missions.

In support of ULA’s Human Spaceflight Team, this role focuses on ensuring the Centaur V upper stage meets NASA’s rigorous human-rating reliability requirements through detailed failure modes analysis, reliability and maintainability predictions, probabilistic risk assessment, and data-driven risk reduction to support safe and successful crewed flights.

Work location: Hybrid, with regular on-site support at ULA’s facility in Centennial, Colorado.

Essential Functions:

• Reliability Program Support: Contribute to the Centaur V reliability program by developing, updating, and maintaining Failure Modes, Effects, and Criticality Analysis (FMECA), reliability predictions, and Probabilistic Risk Assessment (PRA) products.
• Reliability & Maintainability Predictions: Develop reliability and maintainability predictions using industry-standard methodologies (e.g., MIL-HDBK-217, empirical data, and heritage flight data) for electrical/electronic assemblies, propulsion systems, avionics, and support equipment.
• Failure Modes Analysis: Perform detailed Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and Failure Mode, Effects, and Criticality Analysis (FMECA) at the schematic/piece-part, subsystem, and interface levels.
• Design Review Support: Support design reviews by preparing and presenting reliability analyses, results, and recommendations to program management, ULA leadership, and NASA stakeholders.
• Technical Documentation: Create high-quality technical reports, presentations, hazard/risk documentation, and supporting materials required for NASA human-rating certification and program milestones.

Minimum Requirements:

• Strong background in Reliability Engineering for complex, high-reliability aerospace or safety-critical systems.
• Hands-on experience developing FMECA/FMEA at the piece-part and schematic levels, reliability predictions (MIL-HDBK-217 or equivalent), and supporting Probabilistic Risk Assessments.
• Experience supporting failure investigations, failure review boards, and presenting reliability data in formal design reviews.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to quantify risk and drive design improvements.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to clearly present technical reliability information to NASA customers and senior leadership.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities effectively in a dynamic, fast-paced program environment.
• Dedication to crew safety and mission success.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Direct experience supporting NASA human spaceflight programs (Artemis, Orion, SLS, Commercial Crew, or similar).
• Familiarity with upper stage propulsion systems, cryogenic fluids, avionics, or flight software reliability.
• Experience with reliability tools (e.g., ReliaSoft, PTC Windchill, or custom PRA software).
• Knowledge of fault tolerance analysis and its integration with reliability products.
• Background in electronics piece-part reliability, parts control, and supplier coordination.

Required Education/Experience:

• BS/BA degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Reliability Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 6+ years of professional experience in Reliability Engineering, preferably within human spaceflight, launch vehicles, or other high-hazard aerospace programs.

ARES Benefits:

ARES offers a competitive compensation and benefit package. Full time employees may participate in:

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• HSA/FSA Accounts
• Life & Disability Insurance
• Critical Illness & Accident Insurance
• 401(k) Plan
• Paid Time Off & Holidays
• ARES is an EEO/AA/Disability/Vets Employer.

ARES shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin. Moreover, these regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.