System Safety & Risk Assurance Engineer (Contract)

Role overview Evaluate off-nominal conditions and drive system-level safety trades on modular orbital structures and pressurized spacecraft intended for human-rated flight and government or commercial space programs. This contract role centers on hazard analysis, fault management, and verification for next-generation space infrastructure.

Responsibilities - Lead and support spacecraft system safety assessments including Functional Hazard Assessments, Fault Tree Analysis, and FMECA - Own hazard analysis and safety compliance for high-pressure systems, structures, mechanisms, and Environmental Control and Life Support Systems - Develop fault-protection concepts covering detection, isolation, containment, recovery, safing, and mission recovery across flight software, avionics, and operations - Collaborate with chief engineers, manufacturing, and integration and test teams to translate safety and mission assurance goals into verifiable requirements - Define and execute verification plans through hardware-in-the-loop testing, simulations, and fault injection - Lead or participate in Failure Review Boards, analyzing anomalies, waivers, deviations, and operational constraints

Requirements - Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, or Systems Engineering, or a related STEM field - 5+ years of experience in systems engineering, system safety, reliability engineering, or mission assurance for space systems - Deep technical understanding of structural integrity, pressure vessels, leak paths, or human-rating safety frameworks such as NASA-STD-8719.13 or military range requirements - Comfort working amid technical ambiguity while balancing engineering rigor with rapid manufacturing and testing cadences - U.S. Person status (citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual) to comply with ITAR/EAR export regulations

Nice to have - Prior experience with life-support (ECLSS) systems, active thermal loops, or human-tended docking mechanisms - Familiarity with requirements and configuration tools such as Jama, Jira, Confluence, or NX/Simcenter pipelines - Direct experience with FAA-AST commercial launch licensing or coordination with commercial space station operators

Benefits and work setup - Initial 1099 contract engagement with potential conversion to full-time based on business needs - Hourly or contract compensation of $65–$90 USD, determined case by case based on experience and qualifications - Approximately 10–20% travel expected - Upon full-time conversion, eligibility for a benefits package including company equity, medical benefits, and a 401(k) retirement plan