Senior System Safety Engineer IV/V

Zone 5 Technologies; San Luis Obispo (CA); On-site; USD 159,000 - 222,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental & Vision

401(k) match

PTO & holidays

Sick time

Job summary

Zone 5 Technologies seeks a Senior System Safety Engineer in the United States to lead system safety across the product lifecycle. You will drive safety architecture, data-driven analysis, and documentation while coordinating with customers during System Safety Reviews and Panels such as THAR and NNMSB.

You will develop safety programs, lead HSAs, and ensure risk mitigation throughout development, verification, and qualification activities.

Qualifications

• 7+ years as a System Safety Engineer or equivalent safety-critical engineering role.
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Systems, or Electrical Engineering, or Physics.
• Expertise with MIL-STD-882E and military safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain System Safety Program Plan and safety architecture documentation.
• Lead FHA, FTA, and System Safety Assessments.
• Draft System Safety Analysis Reports and maintain traceability between safety requirements, hazards, and mitigations.
• Lead THAR, NNMSB reviews and panels with customers.
• Create and execute test plans for safety verification and validation.
• Coordinate safety data item responses with customers.

Skills

System Safety

MIL-STD-882E

FHA

FTA

SCFTA

Technical writing

Customer engagement

Hazard analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Systems, or Electrical Engineering, or Physics

Master's degree in engineering

Tools

Relyence

Windchill

PTC Integrity

JIRA

DOORS

Job description

At Zone 5 Technologies, we're redefining what's possible in unmanned aircraft systems. Our team of engineers and innovators is developing cutting-edge autonomous solutions that push the boundaries of UAS technology - solving complex challenges that matter.

We're building the future of UAS capabilities, and we're looking for exceptional talent to join us. If you're driven by hard problems, energized by rapid innovation, and ready to make an impact on next-generation flight systems, you belong here.

We are seeking a Senior System Safety Engineer to lead system safety activities across the product lifecycle. This role focuses on system safety architecture, data-driven analysis, comprehensive documentation, and test planning for safety verification. You will engage directly with customer counterparts on System Safety Reviews and Panels including THAR (Technical Hazard Assessment Review) and NNMSB (Nuclear Navy Material and Safety Board).

Key Responsibilities:

System Safety & Architecture

• Develop andmaintainSystem Safety Program Plan and safety architecture documentation
• Lead Functional Hazard Analysis (FHA), Fault Tree Analysis (FTA), and System Safety Assessments
• Identify, document, and manage hazards, risks, and mitigation measures throughout the lifecycle
• Draft System Safety Analysis Reports andmaintaintraceability between safety requirements, hazards, and mitigations
• Lead Safety Critical Functional Thread Analysis (SCFTA) and support HAZOP/ETA activities

Data, Documentation & Test Planning

• Establish data collection and analysis frameworks for safety metrics and trending
• Develop technical documentation including safety standards, specifications, procedures, and user guides
• Create and execute test plans for safety verification and validation
• Lead development of Built-In Test (BIT) plans and support Qualification Test Plan development
• Define test requirements, acceptance criteria, and success metrics for safety-critical functions
• Review test data to confirm safety requirements compliance
• Serve as primary point of contact with customers on system safety matters
• Lead andparticipatein THAR, NNMSB, and other customer System Safety Reviews and Panels
• Present safety analysis findings, risk postures, and mitigation strategies to customers
• Support milestone reviews (PDR, CDR, QDR, MRR)representingsystem safety
• Coordinate responses to customer safety data items and deliverables

Risk Management & Process Improvement

• Lead safety corrective actions from Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) investigations
• Host corrective action reviews and ensure lessons learned implementationCoordinate risk mitigation with Manufacturing Engineering, Logistics, and Deployment Operations
• Develop and implement system safety processes and tools
• Ensure compliance with MIL-STD-882E and other applicable safety standards

Basic Qualifications:

• 7+ years as a System Safety Engineer or equivalent safety-critical engineering role
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Systems, or Electrical Engineering, or Physics
• Expertisewith MIL-STD-882E and military safety standards
• Experience creating and executing test plans for safety verification
• Proven experience engaging with customers on System Safety Reviews (THAR, NNMSB, or similar)
• Strong systemarchitecture knowledge and safety requirements decomposition
• Extensive FHA, FTA, and SCFTA experience
• Failure investigation with proven corrective action implementation
• Technical writing for reports, procedures, and documentation
• Hazard/risk management and tracking to closure
• Design review experience (PDR, CDR, MRR) with strong presentation skills
• Data collection, analysis, and trending for safety metrics

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in engineering or related field
• 10+ years progressive system safety experience
• System Safety certification (ASP, CSP, CSEP)
• DoD or Navy safety programs experience
• Quantitative FTA with probabilistic risk assessment
• FMEA/FMECA, HAZOP, and ETA experience
• Safety analysis software tools (Relyence, Windchill, PTC Integrity)
• Requirements management tools (JIRA, JAMA, Cameo, DOORS)
• Aircraft, spacecraft, or UAV systems experience
• Active U.S. Security Clearance or ability to obtain

Pay Range by Level:

Level IV - $159,000 - $191,000

Level V - $191,000 - $222,000

Pay range for this role: $159,000 USD - $222,000 USD

What's in it for you:

• Comprehensive benefit package options include medical, dental, vision, life, and more.
• 401k with company-match
• 3 weeks of paid time off each year
• 40 hours of sick time
• 12 annual company holidays

Why Join Zone 5 Technologies?

• Innovative Environment: Work on cutting-edge technology that is shaping the future of defense and aerospace.
• Collaborative Culture: Join a team of passionate professionals dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
• Career Growth: Opportunities for professional development and career advancement.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

Zone 5 Technologies is a federal contractor and participates in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. As required by law, we will verify the identity and employment authorization of all new employees using the E-Verify system. Learn more about your rights and responsibilities under E-Verify:https://www.e-verify.gov.