Operational Safety Lead - Defense

Operational Safety Lead - Defense at Applied Intuition

Applied Intuition is the vehicle intelligence company that accelerates the global adoption of safe, AI‑driven machines. Founded in 2017 and valued at $15 billion following its recent Series F round, the company delivers the Vehicle OS, Self‑Driving System, and toolchain to help customers build intelligent vehicles and shorten time to market. 18 of the top 20 global automakers and major Department of Defense programs trust Applied Intuition’s solutions to deliver vehicle intelligence.

The company serves the automotive, defense, trucking, construction, mining, and agriculture industries and is headquartered in Mountain View, CA, with regional offices worldwide. learn more.

As the Operational Safety Lead, you will create tools to aid operational teams in evaluating and mitigating safety risks and serve as the guiding authority on accepting operational safety risk for all projects. Projects include ground, maritime, and flight tests of crewed and uncrewed platforms for Group 1‑5 UAS, including ordinance, as well as uncrewed and crewed maritime vehicles and ground vehicles.

You will oversee, review, and revise the comprehensive operational safety program for ground, maritime, and flight test operations, including experimental test, demonstration, and corporate flights.

• Set company safety requirements.
• Work with vertical leaders to ensure their SOPs support company safety requirements.
• Work with project and vertical leads to evaluate risks for each project.
• Serve as an impartial arbitrator of risk and take direct authority for safety when risk level goes above “Medium.”
• Stay informed of the latest regulatory guidance and industry best practices; disseminate new information and ensure company policies remain compliant.
• Collaborate with testing organizations to develop, update, and approve individual programs’ Test Risk Analyses Worksheets (TRW).
• Lead Test Risk Management through coordination with the Test Engineer of each program and participate in test plan reviews, test operations, pre‑ and post‑test briefings, and readiness reviews.
• Collaborate in the development of and amend company operations and test documentation, including operations manuals, test SOPs, local procedures, and ground handling procedures.
• Lead periodic reviews of operational safety plans for each vertical and ensure mitigation procedures are practical, used, and modified as required.
• Procure and provide necessary safety training to operators and safety risk evaluators.

• Graduate of a certified test pilot school or at least 10 years of test experience, including leading test teams.
• FAA Part 107 license (or better).
• Maintenance, experimental, developmental, or production test experience.
• Ordinance handling experience.
• 100 hours minimum PIC for Part 107.

• Must be willing to travel up to 25% of the time.
• The role can be based in Washington, DC;
  Mountain View, CA;
  San Diego, CA;
  Ann Arbor, MI; or Fort Walton Beach, FL. Preference is given to local candidates, but applicants from other U.S. locations are considered if willing to travel or relocate.

• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Must have an active U.S. security clearance.

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• 8 years of aviation and 4 years of aviation safety experience.
• Experience working with government test teams and navigating government Safety Review Boards.
• Advanced degrees considered as additional experience.
• Active U.S. Top Secret clearance.

Base salary is part of the total compensation package, which includes equity, comprehensive health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, 401k with employer match, learning and wellness stipends, and paid time off. Pay transparency: $150,000 – $185,000 USD annually for this full‑time position in the listed location.

Applied Intuition is an equal‑opportunity employer and federal contractor. The company complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including executive orders and civil rights statutes. The company prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals based on protected veteran status or disability. The company also respects the privacy of all candidates, employees, and community members.