Safety & Airworthiness Specialist 4

PDS Defense, Inc.; Everett (WA); On-site; USD 101,000 - 107,000; Full time

Job summary

PDS Defense, Inc. in Everett, WA is seeking a Safety & Airworthiness Specialist 4 to lead RCCA investigations focused on regulatory compliance across the airplane lifecycle.

The role emphasizes collaboration with leadership, certification experts, and external regulators to identify root causes, develop containment actions, and ensure adherence to regulatory requirements. Onsite presence is required.

Qualifications

• 10+ years related work experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience with Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) tools and problem solving models.
• Familiarity with FAA Regulatory Compliance and ODA procedures.
• Export control requirement: US Person as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.15.

Responsibilities

• Lead RCCA investigations related to FAA Letters of Investigation, compliance actions, and non-compliances.
• Coordinate with functional groups, management and suppliers to align on investigation status and resolution.
• Develop containment actions, prevent recurrence, and verify non-recurrence.
• Collaborate with ODA to ensure investigation write-ups meet regulatory expectations.

Skills

Communication

Leadership

Cross-functional teamwork

Initiative

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

RCCA tools

5-Whys

Fishbone

PSM

Job description

Engineering

Safety & Airworthiness Specialist 4 Everett, WA Posted: 5/1/2026

Job Description

Job ID#:

217610

Job Category:

Engineering

Position Type:

Associate - W2

Duration:

12 mo

Shift:

1

PDS Defense, Inc. is seeking a Safety & Airworthiness Specialist 4, in Everett, WA. Job ID#217610

Pay Rate: $73 - $78/hr

Job Description:

As an investigator you will have the opportunity to work independently while leading teams tasked with performing detailed Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) investigations related to regulatory compliance issues. This activity enables program and functional leadership to understand the systemic root causes of compliance issues and implement effective corrective actions that contain the issue and prevent recurrence. This position offers exposure to all aspects of airplane certification across the airplane lifecycle. The importance of this function can't be over-stated as you will contribute to Boeing product safety by maintaining and restoring compliance with regulatory requirements.

Investigations typically follow the Problem Solving Model (BPSM) process, which provides a structured approach to investigations. Engagement with company leadership, certification experts, and functional experts from across the company make this position highly invigorating. We have a close-knit group with dedicated mentors and RCCA experts available for consultation.

Position Responsibilities:

• For any identified issue related to FAA issued Letters of Investigation, Informal or Formal Compliance Actions, Voluntary Disclosures, Self-Audit findings, and Part 25 Airworthiness Non-Compliances, the BCA S&CI team leads the functional engineering organizations (Systems, Structures, Payloads, Propulsion) through the structured investigation process.
• We coordinate closely with functional groups, management and executives, and suppliers to ensure all stakeholders are aligned with the investigation's status and resolution.
• We work with the functional groups within to investigate the regulatory compliance issue by identifying the problem statement, developing a comprehensive root cause investigation that leads to systemic root causes, developing containment actions, actions to prevent recurrence, and actions to verify non-recurrence.
• We coordinate closely with the Organizational Designation Authorization (ODA) to ensure the investigation write-up meets regulatory expectations.
• We partner with enterprise groups to continuously improve our processes and tools to ensure we are ready for the future of BCA and to ensure these processes are consistent with the greater Enterprise.

A successful Senior candidate will have the following qualifications:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong ability to interact and communicate with senior management and technical peers from external Customers, including airlines and regulatory agencies
• Ability to lead, influence, and mentor a diverse team
• Intrinsic aptitude for taking initiative, leading cross functional teams and complex projects
• Ability and willingness to take ownership of, and facilitate, work activities to ensure they are completed accurately, efficiently, and in a timely manner

This position is expected to be 100% onsite. The selected candidate will be required to work onsite at Everett, WA.

This position must meet Export Control compliance requirements, therefore a “US Person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.15 is required. “US Person” includes US Citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee.

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills/Experience):

• 10+ years related work experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Preferred Qualifications (Desired Skills/Experience):

• Working knowledge with Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) tools such as 5-Whys or Fishbone, and/or the Problem Solving Model (PSM)
• 1+ years of experience with commercial airplane operation, certification, safety requirements and procedures
• Working knowledge of FAA Regulatory Compliance and ODA procedures per 8100.15
• 1+ years of experience working with FAA or other regulatory agencies
• 1+ years of experience in Commercial Airplane-Systems design or analysis (e.g. Flight Controls, Hydraulics, Avionics, Fuels, etc.) or Systems Integration
• Pilot's license
• Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) License

Typical Education & Experience:

Senior (Level 4)

Education/experience typically acquired through advanced education (e.g. Bachelor) and typically 10 or more years' related work experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience (e.g. Master+8 years' related work experience, 14 years' related work experience, etc.).

Shift:

This position is for 1st shift.

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). For a full description of benefits available to you, be sure to talk with your recruiter.

Job Requirements

Minimum Security Clearance:

No Clearance

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