Spacecraft System Safety Manager

Jet Propulsion Laboratory; United States; On-site; USD 212,264 - 264,992; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Paid time off

Flexible schedule

Childcare support

Job summary

Jet Propulsion Laboratory is seeking a Spacecraft System Safety Manager to lead a team ensuring compliance with safety requirements for Flight and Institutional projects. The role demands significant experience in System Safety Engineering, with responsibilities including oversight of safety products and conducting safety assessments.

Ideal applicants will possess exceptional leadership and communication skills and have the ability to develop high-performance teams. The position offers competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of related experience for Bachelor's degree, 10+ for Master's, or 8+ for PhD.
• Strong expertise in System Safety Engineering.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of System Safety Engineers and Managers.
• Monitor implementation of safety requirements.
• Oversee integrity of safety products like hazard analyses.
• Conduct independent safety assessments on anomalies.

Skills

Leadership

Decision-making

Communication

Problem-solving

Change management

Strategic leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in relevant field

Master’s degree in relevant field

PhD in relevant field

Job description

Spacecraft System Safety Manager (Section Manager)

The Spacecraft System Safety Manager (Section Manager) of the System Safety Office (1160) reports to the Office of Safety and Mission Success (OSMS) and Deputy Manager. The role leads a team of System Safety Engineers, Pressure Systems Managers, and Lifting Devices and Equipment Managers, supporting JPL Flight and Institutional projects, including suborbital payloads on aircraft, balloon, and sounding rocket platforms.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor the team of SSEs, PSMs, and LDEMs.
• Monitor implementation of technical and operational system safety requirements, including ground‑based pressure systems and lifting devices.
• Ensure JPL, NASA, and Air Force safety requirements are integrated into the design and procurement processes.
• Oversee integrity of SSO products such as hazard analyses, Safety Data Packages, and Safety Requirement Compliance Matrices.
• Coordinate with QA, Occupational Safety, Chief Engineer – Airborne, and Fracture Control Board for cross‑functional projects.
• Draft proposals, budgets, and forecasts to support new business needs of the SSO.
• Conduct independent safety assessments on anomalies, mishaps, and critical issues.
• Authorize HR actions, including recruitment, training, work assignments, performance assessment, career development, salary management, and employee safety.
• Contribute to the NASA Payload Safety Program Agency team addressing payload safety processes for NASA and the Air Force.
• Collaborate with NASA Office of JPL Management and Oversight (NOJMO) and NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center (AFRC).
• Provide guidance and support for quality and occupational health audits.
• Develop and execute strategic plans to advance processes, tools, and capabilities of the Section.
• Create and maintain System Safety standards, processes, procedures, and documentation, including the System Safety handbook, website, and Alfresco library.
• Deliver ad‑hoc support and work products to the OSMS Manager as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Aeronautical Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, or related discipline with 12+ years of related experience; or Master’s with 10+ years; or PhD with 8+ years.
• Strong leadership with decision‑making, delegation, change management, product‑line management, communication, time management, problem solving, conflict resolution, and strategic leadership.
• Significant expertise in System Safety Engineering or related fields such as Systems Engineering.
• Knowledge of NASA HQ Safety and Mission Assurance, OSMS practices, and policies.
• Proven knowledge of flight processes, process improvement, and management.
• Ability to anticipate and mitigate problems, seek expert advice, and rigorously apply engineering discipline.
• Strong ability to develop and mentor high‑performance teams and maintain collaborative relationships with internal and external partners.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including presentation abilities.

Preferred Skills

• Experience in Mission Assurance Management, Project Management, or Product Delivery Management on flight projects.
• Experience applying risk management approaches.
• Expert knowledge of laboratory, NASA, and federal policies and regulations.
• Broad multidisciplinary technical and business knowledge, including Earned Value, WBS, and JPL Service Center experience.
• Experience managing multiple concurrent tasks, proposals, and interactions with Program Offices.
• Experience with domestic and foreign industry partners in NASA.
• Ability to obtain a TS/SCI clearance.

Benefits & Compensation

Hiring range for this position in Pasadena, California, is $212,264 – $264,992 annually. Benefits include health, dental, vision, wellbeing, retirement plans, paid time off, learning opportunities, rideshare, childcare, flexible schedule, parental leave, and more. Benefits become effective the first day of the month following the employee’s start date. For complete benefit information, see the Benefits and Perks overview.

Equal Opportunity Employer

JPL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under Federal, state, or local law. JPL is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor, and EEO is the law. JPL will not accept applications from citizens of designated countries or persons born in designated countries unless they are U.S. Citizens, Legal Permanent Residents, or have other protected status under 8 U.S.C. §1324b(a)(3).