System Safety & Risk Assurance Engineer (Contract)

Gravitics; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 124,000; Full time

Job summary

Gravitics is seeking a contract Systems Engineer to evaluate off-nominal conditions, influence spacecraft architecture, and drive system-level trades for performance, mass, safety and reliability.

You will ensure modular structures and pressurized spacecraft meet human-rating criteria and government/commercial space program delivery, working with Chief Engineers, Manufacturing, and Test teams across verification, fault protection, and anomaly resolution.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, Systems Engineering, or a related technical STEM field.
• 5+ years of direct experience in systems engineering, system safety, reliability engineering, or mission assurance within space system development.
• Deep technical understanding of structural integrity, pressure vessels, leak paths, or human-rating safety frameworks (e.g., NASA-STD-8719.13 or military range requirements).
• Execution mindset with ability to navigate technical ambiguity and balance rigor with rapid manufacturing/testing cadences.
• U.S. Person status: must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual to conform to ITAR/EAR.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support spacecraft system safety assessments (FHA, FTA, FMECA).
• Own hazard analysis and safety for high-pressure systems, structures/mechanisms, and ECLSS for human habitation.
• Develop fault-protection concepts including detection, isolation, containment, recovery, safing, and mission-recovery strategies across flight software, avionics, and operations.
• Collaborate with Chief Engineers, Manufacturing, and Integration & Test to translate safety/mission objectives into verifiable requirements.
• Define and execute verification plans for hazard controls via hardware-in-the-loop testing, simulations, and fault injection.
• Lead or participate in Failure Review Boards (FRBs) analyzing testing anomalies and deviations for safety/mission impacts.

Skills

Execution mindset

Space systems knowledge

U.S. Person status

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

Jama/Jira/Confluence

Job description

About Gravitics

At Gravitics, we’re not exploring space—we’re building it. We’re creating the infrastructure for a thriving space economy, enabling humanity to flourish beyond Earth. Our vision is bold, but we’re not just dreamers; we’re doers. We design and manufacture large-scale orbital structures that enable commercial operations while meeting the requirements of defense and government missions.

Our systems are built to scale and built to last—bridging commercial innovation with mission-critical performance. If you’re ready to lay the foundations for a new era in space, embrace a culture of relentless learning and innovation, and contribute to a future where humanity’s reach extends farther, Gravitics is the place for you. Let’s build the future together.

About the Role (This is a contract role.)

In this role, you will be responsible for evaluating off-nominal conditions, influencing spacecraft architecture, and driving system-level trades across performance, mass, safety, and reliability. Crucially, you will ensure our modular structures and pressurized spacecraft meet the rigorous criteria required for human-rated flight profiles and government/commercial space program delivery.

Core Responsibilities

• Hazard & Failure Analysis: Lead and support spacecraft system safety assessments, including Functional Hazard Assessments (FHA), Fault Tree Analysis (FTA), and Failure Modes, Effects, and Criticality Analysis (FMECA).
• Human-Rating & Pressurized Systems Safety: Own hazard analysis and safety compliance for high-pressure systems, structures/mechanisms, and Environmental Control and Life Support Systems (ECLSS) required for human habitation.
• Fault Management (FDIR): Develop and refine fault-protection concepts including fault detection, isolation, containment, recovery, safing, and mission-recovery strategies across flight software, avionics, and operational segments.
• Cross-Functional System Integration: Collaborate with Chief Engineers, Manufacturing, and Integration & Test teams to translate safety and mission assurance objectives into verifiable technical requirements.
• Verification & Testing: Define and execute verification plans for hazard controls and fault-protection requirements through hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing, simulations, and fault injection.
• Root Cause & Anomaly Resolution: Lead or participate in Failure Review Boards (FRBs), analyzing testing anomalies, waivers, deviations, and operational constraints for safety and mission impacts.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, Systems Engineering, or a related technical STEM field.
• Experience: 5+ years of direct experience in systems engineering, system safety, reliability engineering, or mission assurance within space system development.
• Domain Expertise: Deep technical understanding of structural integrity, pressure vessels, leak paths, or human-rating safety frameworks (e.g., NASA-STD-8719.13 or military range requirements).
• Execution Mindset: Comfortable navigating technical ambiguity, balancing engineering rigor with rapid product manufacturing and testing cadences.
• U.S. Person Status: Must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual to conform to U.S. space technology export regulations (ITAR/EAR).

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience with life-support (ECLSS) systems, active thermal loops, or human-tended space station docking mechanisms.
• Familiarity with requirements and engineering configuration tracking systems (e.g., Jama, Jira, Confluence, or NX/Simcenter environment pipelines).
• Direct experience handling commercial launch licensing approvals (FAA-AST) or working alongside commercial space station operators (e.g., Axiom Space, U.S. Space Force).

Travel Requirements

This position requires approximately 10–20% travel to support business needs, including visits to company facilities, customer sites, industry events, and team meetings. Travel frequency may vary based on business priorities and project requirements.

Compensation and Benefits

This position will initially be engaged as a contract (1099) role, with the opportunity to transition to a regular full-time employee based on business needs and performance.

Compensation will be determined on a case-by-case basis and will vary depending on relevant experience, qualifications, and demonstrated skills.

Upon successful conversion to full-time employment, the selected candidate may become eligible for Gravitics' comprehensive employee benefits package, which includes company equity, medical benefits, a 401(k) retirement plan, and other employee programs, subject to applicable plan terms and company policies.

ITAR Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Gravitics is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and business needs, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin or ethnicity, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected status.

Salary Range

$65 — $90 USD