Safety Manager

Pivotal; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401k plans

Job summary

Pivotal, based in Palo Alto, CA, is seeking a dedicated safety manager to maintain and evolve safety management systems in alignment with FAA regulations. This role focuses on ensuring safety accountability, conducting audits, and leading investigations.

The ideal candidate will possess 5+ years in the aviation sector with strong debugging skills and experience in production safety. Pivotal offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, and 401k plans.

Qualifications

• 5+ years experience in aviation, aerospace, or regulated industrial safety.
• Hands-on experience implementing or operating SMS (FAA Part 5 preferred).
• Experience conducting formal investigations and root cause analysis.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and evolve the company SMS in alignment with FAA Part 5 principles.
• Conduct internal safety audits and compliance checks.
• Lead root cause analysis (RCA) using structured methodologies.

Skills

Strong debugging and systems-level thinking

Hands-on experience implementing or operating SMS

Experience in manufacturing or production safety environments

Strong technical and interpersonal communication skills

Education

5+ years experience in aviation, aerospace, or regulated industrial safety

Certification in safety management or related field

Tools

OSHA regulations

FAA regulations familiarity

Job description

Pivotal is the leader in the emerging market of electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft. We design, develop, and manufacture light eVTOL aircraft and are renowned for the BlackFly aircraft the world's first light eVTOL to fly manned missions and enter the consumer market.

Efficient, compact, and simple, Pivotal aircraft are designed for a wide range of consumer, public service, and defense applications. Our distinctive tilt-aircraft architecture and scalable platform have been flying for over 10 years. Last year we announced our next-generation aircraft, the Helix, which is rapidly progressing toward general release and scalable production in early 2026.

Mobility is one of the most highly-valued areas of modern technology investments. This is the right company, in the right space, the right strategy, at the right time. If you are ready for adventure, we invite you to join our amazing team and grow with us.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and evolve the company SMS in alignment with FAA Part 5 principles
• Ensure clear safety accountability and reporting pathways
• Provide direct reporting to the Accountable Executive, LeadershipTeamand Safety ReviewBoard
• Maintain the company Safety Policy and safety objectives
• Ensure regulatory alignment with applicable FAA, OSHA, and AS9100D frameworks
• Own SRM ticket intake, triage, investigation, and corrective action tracking
• Facilitate hazard identification workshops across flight, engineering, and manufacturing
• Lead root cause analysis (RCA) using structured methodologies
• Evaluate operational, manufacturing, and facility risks prior to new activities
• Support risk assessment during configuration changes and new production workflows
• Develop and track leading and lagging safety indicators
• Maintain safety dashboards and recurring executive reporting
• Conduct internal safety audits and compliance checks
• Monitor effectiveness of corrective actions
• Maintain risk registers and hazard logs
• Partner with Quality to ensure traceability of safety-related findings
• Lead SMS and EH&S training programs
• Strengthen just culture and proactive hazard reporting
• Conduct regular safety walks across hangars and production areas
• Facilitate Safety Review Boards and cross-functional safety forums
• Lead EH&S programs across hangars, labs, battery charging areas, and office and production spaces
• Develop Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs) for manufacturing and assembly processes
• Partner with Manufacturing Engineering to standardize safe work practices
• Ensure safe handling of batteries, tooling, lifting/rigging, and high-voltage systems
• Coordinate emergency response preparedness and drills
• Maintain OSHA compliance and environmental controls
• This role does not perform aircraft system safety analysis (FHA, FTA, SSA), but partners closely with System Safety Engineering.

Qualifications

• Strong debugging and systems-level thinking
• 5+ years experience in aviation, aerospace, or regulated industrial safety
• Hands‑on experience implementing or operating SMS (FAA Part 5 preferred)
• Experience in manufacturing or production safety environments
• Experience conducting formal investigations and root cause analysis
• Familiarity with FAA‑regulated operations (Part 21, 23, 121, 135, experimental, or military)
• Working knowledge of OSHA and workplace safety regulations
• Experience with safety data analysis and trend monitoring
• Strong technical and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse teams

Preferred Qualifications

• Certification in safety management or related field is preferred.
• Previous experience leading EH&S, assisting and developing Job Hazard Analysis, audits plans, rigging plans, and various plans and permits is a plus.
• CSP, OSHA 30, or similar certification
• Experience in aerospace production under AS9100D
• Experience in high‑voltage, battery, or electric propulsion environments

Attributes aligned with Core Values

• Demonstrates a proactive safety mindset by embedding safety into daily operations, identifying and mitigating risks through assessments and training, encouraging open dialogue on safety concerns, and continuously improving protocols to ensure a safe work environment.
• Puts customers at the center of every action by deeply understanding their challenges, delivering exceptional value, and striving to exceed expectations to support their success as our core purpose.
• Actively seeks and values diverse stakeholder perspectives, builds cross‑functional relationships, and fosters trust through empathetic, fact‑based communication—committing to shared decisions for the greater good.
• Drives results with clarity and purpose by focusing on what matters most, adapting to change, taking initiative, and owning outcomes while aligning actions with a clear understanding of success at every level.
• Navigates ambiguity with resilience and bold thinking, challenges the status quo, and combines innovative ideas with practical best practices to overcome obstacles and drive progress.
• Fosters a high‑performance culture grounded in respect, professionalism, and support—balancing high expectations with a healthy, collaborative environment and being a trusted, dependable teammate.

Applicants must be eligible for employment in the United States and willing to work onsite at our HQ office in Palo Alto, CA.

Pivotal offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, and 401k plans.

Pivotal is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Pivotal does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non‑disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.