System Safety Engineer (F-35)

DCS Corp; Ridgecrest (CA); On-site; USD 97,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

DCS Corp is seeking a System Safety Engineer in Ridgecrest, CA to support the F-35 and AWIIL safety programs. You will conduct independent analyses, review contractor data, and support airworthiness and safety certifications. Collaboration with government safety leads and external partners is essential.

The role requires review of safety data, participation in safety groups, and after-hours support as needed. Strong communication and security clearance are mandatory.

Qualifications

• Requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor's degree with 8+ years in Aviation Safety and Aircraft Accident/Mishap Investigation or equivalent.
• Active security clearance required and must be maintained.
• Onsite work required; not eligible for remote work.

Responsibilities

• Conduct independent analyses of contractor data to identify and mitigate safety risks for test and fleet aircraft.
• Perform safety evaluations of change requests, deficiency reports, and test reports across aerospace systems.
• Coordinate and participate in System Safety Groups, Working Groups, and TIMs with technical data packages for safety reviews.
• Serve as liaison between Program Office, prime contractors, IPTs, AWIIL, and external military/partner organizations.
• Support flight clearance by compiling up-to-date safety data and tracking open hazards for boards.
• Investigate fleet mishaps and incidents to determine root causes and corrective actions.
• Draft safety documents and maintain safety databases and fault-tree models.

Skills

Communication skills

Security clearance

Onsite work

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aviation Safety

High school diploma/GED + 16+ years experience

Associate's degree + 10+ years experience

Tools

Isograph Fault Tree Plus

Job description

Salary Range: $96,757 - $120,000

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.

Essential Job Functions

• 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.

Required Skills

• 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. High school 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 Tree Plus).
• 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.