Design Assurance Quality Engineering Scientist

University of Texas; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 104,000 - 174,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Texas at Austin’s Applied Research Laboratories seeks a senior Design Assurance Engineer to oversee DO-278A certification of mission-critical web applications. The candidate will lead a team from requirements elicitation to verification, working at the Pickle Research Campus in Austin, TX.

Responsibilities include safety-critical design, FHA allocations, DA analyses, and compliance audits, with collaboration across stakeholders and a strong emphasis on security and modern

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in science, applied science, or engineering.
• Three years of experience as a technical team leader with responsibilities for the development and implementation of safety-critical systems.
• Understanding of software development processes according to RTCA DO-178C, DO-278A, and DO-331.
• Experience in developing and maintaining quality assurance frameworks.
• Experience in identifying and addressing Design Assurance (DA) gaps.
• Experience in conducting Compliance Audits for DO-278A.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead safety-critical system design, development, decomposition, and tracking of safety-critical system requirements from initial design to formal validation and verification activities per DO-278A.
• Lead identification of safety-critical system interfaces and conduct FHA allocations to define objectives for system safety.
• Identify evidence supporting the achievement DA levels identified in the FHA and map to Design Assurance objectives.
• Provide DA Engineering Analysis and DA Reviews support.
• Provide engineering services supporting Gap Analysis based on final Program Requirements Document (fPRD) and other safety artifacts.
• Develop DO-278A Compliance Audit, compile a Development Assurance Compliance Report, deliver synopsis of work performed and support integration.
• Other related functions as assigned.

Skills

Safety-critical systems

Team leadership

Technical communication

Security architecture decisions

DO-278A knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in science/engineering

Advanced degree in systems engineering/related field

Tools

Jira

Cloud platforms (AWS/Azure/GCP)

Job description

Job Posting Title: Design Assurance Quality Engineering Scientist
Hiring Department: Applied Research Laboratories
Position Open To: All Applicants
Weekly Scheduled Hours: 40
FLSA Status: Exempt from FLSA
Earliest Start Date: Immediately
Position Duration: Expected to Continue
Location: PICKLE RESEARCH CAMPUS

Job Details

Purpose We are seeking a senior design assurance engineer to oversee the implementation and DO-278A certification of mission-essential web applications. They will serve as a technical leader within the laboratory in the areas of design assurance. As a key member of a team of engineers, they will be responsible for guiding the team to ensure the resulting product can achieve certification. The team is responsible for eliciting systems scope from stakeholders, allocating and deriving requirements, translating requirements into systems designs, implementing the components, verifying the implementation, and delivering to the customer.

Responsibilities

• Lead safety-critical system design, development, decomposition, and tracking of safety-critical system requirements from initial design to formal validation and verification activities per DO-278A.
• Lead identification of safety-critical system interfaces and conduct Functional Hazard Analysis (FHA) allocations to define objectives for system safety.
• Identify evidence supporting the achievement DA levels identified in the FHA and map to Design Assurance objectives.
• Provide Design Assurance Engineering Analysis and DA Reviews support.
• Provide engineering services supporting Gap Analysis based on final Program Requirements Document (fPRD), Preliminary Hazard Analysis (PHA), and other safety artifacts.
• Develop DO-278A Compliance Audit, compile a Development Assurance Compliance Report, deliver synopsis of work performed and support integration.
• Other related functions as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in science, applied science, or engineering.
• Three years of experience as a technical team leader with responsibilities for the development and implementation of safety-critical systems.
• Understanding of software development processes according to RTCA DO-178C, DO-278A, and DO-331.
• Experience in developing and maintaining quality assurance frameworks.
• Experience in identifying and addressing Design Assurance (DA) gaps.
• Experience in conducting Compliance Audits for DO-278A.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including demonstrated ability to communicate technical detail to staff and stakeholders of varying backgrounds and experiences.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively, both independently and collaboratively, with a strong commitment to contribution and enabling the entire team.
• Demonstrated ability to make security-related architectural and implementation decisions for web applications throughout the stack.
• Applicant must have a dynamic skill set, be willing to work with new technologies, be highly organized and capable of planning and coordinating multiple tasks.
• The position will require attention to detail, effective problem-solving skills and excellent judgment.
• Ability to work independently with sensitive and confidential information, maintain a professional demeanor, work as a team member without daily supervision and effectively communicate with all groups of clients.
• Able to work under pressure and accept supervision.
• Regular and punctual attendance.
• US Citizen.
• Applicant selected will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information at the level appropriate to the project requirements of the position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in systems engineering, engineering management, engineering mechanics, operations research, industrial engineering, or related field.
• Specialized study, research, or work-experience with a specific emphasis on software architecture, data engineering, real-time data streams, TCP/IP networking, GNSS systems and/or GNSS signal structure.
• Demonstrated experience with cloud computing platforms such as Amazon Web Services (preferred), Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud.
• Demonstrated experience participating in an Agile project management using Jira or similar Agile management tools.
• Work experience specific to GNSS observation and navigation data.
• Eligibility for immediate access to classified information.
• Cumulative GPA of 3.0.

General Notes

An agency designated by the federal government handles the investigation as to the requirement for eligibility for access to classified information. Factors considered during this investigation include but are not limited to allegiance to the United States, foreign influence, foreign preference, criminal conduct, security violations, drug involvement, the likelihood of continuation of such conduct, etc.

Visit our website (www.arlut.utexas.edu) for additional information about Applied Research Laboratories.

UT Austin offers a competitive benefits package that includes: 100% employer-paid basic medical coverage, Retirement contributions, Paid vacation and sick time, Paid holidays. Please visit our Human Resources (HR) website to learn more about the total benefits offered.

Salary Range $104,000-$174,000+/negotiable based on qualifications.

Working Conditions Standard office conditions Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation Use of manual dexterity Some weekend, evening and holiday work Possible interstate/intrastate travel.

Required Materials Resume/CV 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor Letter of interest Unofficial college transcripts.

Employment Eligibility: Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

Retirement Plan Eligibility: The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Background Checks: A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action.

The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

Employment Eligibility Verification

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

E-Verify

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following: E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF] Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF] Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

Compliance

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and the Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701. Start Here, Change the World At The University of Texas at Austin, tradition meets innovation in the heart of a city that frequents lists of the best places to live and work. Named by Forbes as one of America's Best Large Employers for the sixth year in a row in 2025, UT offers both a dynamic work environment and a gateway to vibrant local culture. Whether you're at the forefront of the student experience, conducting world-changing research or supporting the engine that drives Texas’ flagship university, working at UT means making a lasting impact on our city, our state and our world. Our more than 20,000 faculty and staff empower 55,000+ students to challenge ideas, pursue passions and shape their futures. Joining UT, you’ll become part of a community dedicated to making a meaningful impact on campus and throughout the world.

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Comments and Inquiries: Email comments to [e-mail]. For questions or concerns regarding equal opportunity only, contact Equal Opportunity Services. Additional information for applicants can be found on the Human Resources web page: Applying for Employment. For more job information, call the Human Resource Service Center at [phone], or toll-free at [phone].

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