Aviation Safety - SME

Responsibilities

Join Peraton in advancing the safety, efficiency, and modernization of the National Airspace System (NAS) through the FAA's Brand New Air Traffic Control System (BNATCS) contract. As a trusted partner to the Federal Aviation Administration, Peraton helps deliver the systems and services that keep our nation's skies safe and connected.

We're looking for innovative professionals who thrive in mission‑critical environments and are passionate about shaping the future of air traffic management. This is your chance to make an impact on one of the world's most vital transportation infrastructures, working alongside leaders in aviation, engineering, data science, and systems integration.

At Peraton, you won't just support the mission - you'll define it.

Join a team dedicated to protecting the safety and integrity of U.S. air travel. Peraton is seeking an Aviation Safety - SME to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals. The ideal candidate will serve as the primary connection between the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), aviation stakeholders, and local communities. In this role, you will coordinate safety communications, stakeholder engagement, and compliance monitoring to ensure that FAA modernization and operational programs maintain the highest levels of safety.

Work Location: This position is required to be on‑site, primarily located in Chantilly, VA, with an alternate work location available in Bowie, MD. Candidates must be able to work on‑site at one of these locations based on program requirements.

• Act as the primary liaison between FAA leadership, operators, and aviation stakeholders.
• You will act as a bridge between FAA technical teams and external partners, helping translate safety standards into actionable practices across the aviation community.
• Support the rollout of FAA safety initiatives, programs, and compliance activities.
• Coordinate safety communications, outreach, and stakeholder engagement activities.
• Gather feedback from local operators and communities to inform FAA program planning.
• Facilitate safety briefings, workshops, and information sessions.
• Monitor and track adoption of FAA safety management system (SMS) practices.
• Assist in incident communications, investigations, and corrective action tracking.
• Ensure consistent alignment of FAA safety policies and modernization efforts with local needs.
• Provide regular reports, updates, and recommendations to FAA leadership.
• Ability to prepare audit‑ready safety documentation and compliance reports.

As aviation and federal programs evolve, any weakness in underlying infrastructure can impact operations and service delivery on a national scale. As an Aviation Safety Liaison, you will directly support the FAA's mission of keeping the National Airspace System (NAS) the safest and most reliable in the world, ensuring stakeholder readiness, awareness, and compliance with evolving safety standards.

Required Qualifications:

• U.S. Citizenship Required.
• Must have the ability to obtain / maintain a Public Trust clearance.
• Bachelor's degree and 12 years of experience or Masters degree and 10 years or Associate's degree and 14 years experience or HS diploma/equivalent and 16 years experience.
• Experience in aviation safety, stakeholder relations, or program coordination.
• Strong knowledge of aviation safety standards, SMS principles, and regulations.
• Experience coordinating with federal, state or local aviation authorities.
• Experience developing community engagement and outreach campaigns in aviation contexts.
• Strong understanding of aviation safety challenges in diverse operational environments.
• Experience supporting incident response, investigations, or safety risk management.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with FAA Next Gen programs and NAS modernization efforts.
• Experience supporting FAA Next Gen modernization programs or NAS‑related initiatives.
• Experience supporting federal agencies, preferably FAA, DOT, DHS, or DoD.
• Master's degree in Aviation Safety, Systems Engineering, or Public Policy.
• Certification in Safety Management (e.g., Certified Safety Professional [CSP], Certified Systems Engineering…