System Safety Engineer (F-35)

New Directions Technologies, Inc; Ridgecrest (CA); On-site; USD 87,000 - 104,000; Full time

Job summary

New Directions Technologies, Inc. is seeking a System Safety Engineer to lead and support safety analyses for DoD programs, ensuring compliance with MIL-STD-882, DODI 5000.2, and airworthiness requirements. The role involves independent analyses, risk assessments, and coordinating safety reviews across groups.

Onsite in Ridgecrest, CA with occasional after-hours support. Requires active clearance, strong communication, and experience in aviation safety and mishap investigation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 8+ years in Aviation Safety and Aircraft Accident/Mishap Investigation.
• Highschool diploma/GED plus 16+ years in Aviation Safety and Aircraft Accident/Mishap Investigation experience.
• Associate's-level (AA/AS/Technical school) plus 10+ years in Aviation Safety and Aircraft Accident/Mishap Investigation experience.
• Must have an active security clearance and maintain one for the duration of employment.

Responsibilities

• Conduct independent analyses of safety data to identify and mitigate risks for test and fleet aircraft.
• Author formal risk assessments to support airworthiness certification processes.
• Perform technical safety evaluations of change requests, deficiency reports, and test reports across aircraft systems.
• Organize and participate in System Safety Groups, Working Groups, and TIMs with cross-functional teams.
• Support flight clearance by presenting safety data and tracking open hazards to boards.
• Investigate fleet mishaps and incidents to identify root causes and corrective actions.
• Develop safety documentation and models, and maintain safety databases and fault-tree models.

Skills

Flight experience

Military background

Active security clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree

High school diploma/GED

Associate's degree

Tools

Isograph Fault TreePlus

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Location: China Lake, CA

Status: Full Time

Job Description:

The System Safety Team is responsible for the comprehensive execution of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and AWIIL System Safety Programs, spanning System Safety, Flight Safety, and Ground Safety disciplines.

As a System Safety Engineer, you will provide vital technical and analytical support to the Government System Safety Lead. You will ensure both developmental and fielded programs successfully accomplish their system safety milestones in strict accordance with DODI 5000.2 series Instructions, Service-specific instructions, MIL-STD-882, and unique International Partner requirements.

This role involves conducting independent technical analyses, reviewing prime contractor data, assessing fleet/test safety risks, and directly supporting airworthiness and operational safety certifications.

Risk Assessment & Hazard Mitigation: Conduct independent analyses of contractor engineering data to identify, assess, and mitigate safety risks for both test and fleet aircraft. Author formal risk assessments to support the command's risk acceptance and airworthiness certification processes.

Engineering Evaluations: Perform technical safety evaluations of change requests, variance requests, deficiency reports, action requests, and test reports. Scope includes complex aircraft systems: electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, fuel, avionics, flight controls, environmental control systems (ECS), egress, weapon integration, secondary power, propulsion, and software interfaces.

Working Group & Board representation: Organize, facilitate, and actively participate in joint assemblies, including System Safety Groups (SSG), System Safety Working Groups (SSWG), and Technical Interchange Meetings (TIMs). Develop specialized technical data packages to support explosive and LASER safety review boards.

Inter-Agency Liaison: Act as a critical information conduit between the Program Office safety team, prime contractors, supporting Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) within AWIIL, and external military/partner organizations.

Flight Clearance Support: Support the flight clearance process for all system users by compiling and presenting up-to-date safety data, tracking open hazards, and highlighting engineering concerns directly to flight clearance boards.

Mishap & Incident Investigation: Analyze and investigate fleet mishaps, incidents, failures, and associated flight data to identify root causes and implement corrective hazard controls.

Safety Documentation & Tooling: Coordinate periodic government reviews of prime contractor safety products (including Mishap Plans). Author safety point papers, trade studies, and system safety program plans. Build and maintain safety management databases and fault-tree models.

Education and Work Experience Requirements:

8342

Due to the sensitivity of customer related requirements, U.S. Citizenship is required.

Bachelor's degree with 8+ years in Aviation Safety and Aircraft Accident/Mishap Investigation. Highschool diploma/GED plus 16+ years of Aviation Safety and Aircraft Accident/Mishap Investigation experience, or Associate's-level (AA/AS/Technical school) plus 10+ years Aviation Safety and Aircraft Accident/Mishap Investigation experience.

Technical Software Proficiency: Demonstrated proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Access, Project) and system safety modeling tools (e.g., Isograph Fault TreePlus).

Must have an active security clearance and maintain one for the duration of employment.

Must be able to work onsite - This position is not remote work eligible.

Must be willing and able to work after hours/weekend support for patching and maintenance as needed.

Possess professionalism, courtesy, high moral character, and integrity.

Excellent communication skills and able to liaison with outside agencies and ability to work independently.

Desired Skills:

• Flight Experience: Practical aircraft flight experience (military or civilian pilot/crew).
• Military Background: Direct experience working within military aviation commands, NAVAIR structures, or defense acquisition program offices.

Salary: the expected salary for this position is $87,360 to $104,000 but is subject to change.