Engineer System Safety 3

PDS Defense, Inc.; Virginia; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Direct deposit

401(k)

Job summary

PDS Defense, Inc. is seeking an Engineer System Safety 3 in Dulles, VA. The role focuses on reducing risk in spacecraft operations while ensuring mission reliability across the program life cycle.

The candidate will define and verify system safety requirements, prepare safety artifacts, and coordinate hazard adjudication with cross-IPTs. A Top Secret clearance is required, with capability to obtain SAP clearance as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in a STEM discipline from an accredited university.
• Active Top Secret Clearance required at time of application.
• Familiarity with MIL-STD-882E to analyze and drive safety into system design.

Responsibilities

• Define, implement, and verify System Safety requirements to mitigate risks.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate hazards in spacecraft.
• Prepare SSPP, PHA, FHA, SHA/SSHA, FTA, SAR, HAZMAT, Software Safety Analyses, and MSPSP artifacts.
• Coordinate with Cross-IPTs to support hazard adjudication and communicate safety risk to stakeholders.
• Assist in launch range safety documentation per AFSPCMAN 91-710 and contribute to design-review packages.

Skills

System Safety

Hazard Analysis

Technical Writing

Independent Work

Communication

Education

Bachelor's Degree in STEM

Job description

Engineering

Engineer System Safety 3 Dulles, VA Posted: 10/8/2026

Job Description

Job ID#:

226689

Job Category:

Engineering

Position Type:

Associate - W2

Duration:

64

Shift:

1

PDS Defense, Inc. is seeking a Engineer System Safety 3, in Dulles, VA. Job ID#226689

Job Description:

System Safety Engineering utilizes System engineering processes and tools to drive the overall system design to meet Safety requirements to minimize the risk inherent in spacecraft operations while maximizing mission reliability and success. System Safety Engineering is involved in all phases of a program life cycle, from proposal generation to launch operations. System Safety Engineering interfaces with Program Offices, Customers and Ranges to ensure that our systems meet safety requirements while providing high reliability to the customer. System Safety Engineers are expected to understand how the different components, subsystems, systems and integrated vehicle function and interact, with a focus on System Safety. The System Safety Engineering effort includes interacting as part of a multi-disciplined engineering team to develop system architecture and constituent elements for new and existing flight programs, as well as new business concepts and proposals.

Responsibilities Include:

Defining, implementing, and verifying System Safety requirements to ensure that the inherent risks are mitigated.

Identifying, assessing, and mitigating hazards present in spacecraft using the processes described MIL-STD-882E..

Preparing safety artifacts such as a System Safety Program Plan (SSPP), Preliminary Hazard Analysis (PHA), Functional Hazard Analysis (FHA), System/Subsystem Hazard Analysis (SHA/SSHA), Fault Tree Analysis (FTA), Safety Assessment Report (SAR), Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) Analysis, Software Safety Analysis, and Missile System Pre-Launch Safety Package (MSPSP) in support of customer requirements.

Coordinating with Cross-IPT's to support hazard and safety requirement adjudication and communicating safety risk to the appropriate levels.

Aiding in the preparation, review, and acceptance of launch range safety documentation in accordance with AFSPCMAN 91-710.

Preparing packages in support of program milestone design reviews such as SRR, PDR, and CDR and presenting this to internal and external stakeholders.

Basic Qualifications:

Bachelor's Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline from an accredited university with at least 5 years of system safety experience.

Active Top Secret Clearance required at time of application.

Understanding of and experience with MIL-STD-882E to analyze, recommend, and drive safety into system design, equipment and procedures in order to mitigate or eliminate hazards.

Experience with developing, reviewing, updating, and approving system safety artifacts and system safety requirements such as System Safety Program Plan (SSPP), Preliminary Hazard Analysis (PHA), Functional Hazard Analysis (FHA), System/Subsystem Hazard Analysis (SHA/SSHA), Fault Tree Analysis (FTA), Safety Assessment Report (SAR), Software Safety Analysis, and the Missile System Pre-launch Safety Package (MSPSP).

Familiarity with AFSPCMAN 91-710 and Range Safety compliance.

Ability to work independently and effectively communicate (verbal and written) with internal and external customers.

Strong technical writing skills.

General understanding of spacecraft design and operation.

Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance within a reasonable amount of time as determined by business needs.

Preferred Qualifications:

Understanding of launch operations

Experience with developing safety analyses supporting on-orbit operations

Knowledge of NASA safety standards such as NASA-STD-8719.24

Working knowledge of OSHA general industry standards (29 CFR 1910)

Benefits offered to vary by the contract. Depending on your temporary assignment, benefits may include direct deposit, free career counseling services, 401(k), select paid holidays, short‑term disability insurance, skills training, employee referral bonus, affordable medical coverage plan, and DailyPay (in some locations).

Job Requirements

Minimum Security Clearance:

Top Secret/SCI

Military connected talent encouraged to apply.

VEVRAA Federal Contractor / Request Priority Protected Veteran Referrals / Equal Opportunity Employer / Veterans / Disabled

To read our Candidate Privacy Information Statement, which explains how we will use your information, please visit http://www.tadpgs.com/candidate-privacy/ or https://pdsdefense.com/candidate-privacy/

The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable:

• The California Fair Chance Act
• Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance
• Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers
• San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

VEVRAA Federal Contractor / Request Priority Protected Veteran Referrals / Equal Opportunity Employer / Veterans / Disabled