Senior System Safety Engineer IV/V

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 and maintain System 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 and maintain traceability 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

Customer Engagement & Reviews

• Serve as primary point of contact with customers on system safety matters

• Lead and participate in 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) representing system 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 implementation

• Coordinate 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

• Expertise with 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 system architecture 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

• U.S. Citizenship

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

For candidates based in San Luis Obispo, California, the annual base salary range for this role is $155,000 - $220,000/year USD. The final compensation package will be determined based on factors including but not limited to experience, skills, qualifications, and internal pay equity.

Pay range for this role
$155,000—$210,000 USD

What's in it for you:

Benefits:

• Competitive total compensation package

• Comprehensive benefit package options include medical, dental, vision, life, and more.

• 401k with company-match

• 4 weeks of paid time off each year

• 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.

If you are passionate about unmanned aircraft technology and want to be a part of a dynamic and growing company, we would love to hear from you. Apply today and join the Zone 5 Technologies team!

Note about our Texas roles: we are in the process of opening a location on the mid-west side of the DFW metro region. Roles in Texas will initially work remotely and then be expected to be onsite when that location opens in 2026.

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.