COL-| System Safety Engineer – NASA Flight Research Programs

COL- | System Safety Engineer - Support NASA Flight Research Programs

Edwards, United States | Posted on 09/09/2026

Colwyn Group is a staffing and recruiting firm headquartered in Austin, Texas, working across healthcare, technology, and executive search. We place candidates with employers across the US.An American Staffing Association member firm.

System Safety Engineer (Mid-Senior Level)

Location:

Edwards, CA (Onsite)

Schedule:

9/80 work schedule

Salary Range: $75,000 - $95,000

Citizenship Requirement: US Citizenship required

About the Role We are seeking a System Safety Engineer (SSE) to support NASA-aligned flight research and test activities involving advanced aerospace systems and experimental aircraft. This role plays a critical part in ensuring airworthiness, mission safety, and structured hazard management for flight and ground operations associated with NASA research programs.

This is a mid- to senior-level onsite role ideal for engineers who want to contribute directly to high-visibility aerospace research missions.

• Provide system safety expertise to engineering and project teams.
• Develop, document, and implement system safety plans for flight and ground operations.
• Maintain Continuous Risk Management (CRM), lessons learned, and reliability/maintainability analyses.
• Lead System Safety Working Group (SSWG) discussions and drive hazard identification, classification, and mitigation strategies.
• Develop and maintain project hazard databases and support hazard reporting.
• Support independent safety review groups and assessments.
• Participate in project meetings, configuration control boards, design reviews, and flight readiness reviews.
• Prepare and deliver system safety presentations to management and safety review boards.
• Complete required training in system safety standards, policies, and methodologies.

• Strong understanding of engineering principles and systems engineering concepts.
• Ability to mentor junior engineers in system safety processes.
• Demonstrated originality, sound judgment, and problem‑solving skills in complex engineering environments.
• Experience supporting development, prototyping, and flight testing of aerospace systems.
• Familiarity with safety analysis tools such as Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and Fault Tree Analysis (FTA).
• Proven leadership in identifying, categorizing, mitigating, and managing system safety risks.
• Experience in one or more of the following areas:
  
  Aircraft systems
  
  Avionics hardware
  
  Software design and real-time systems
  
  Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)
  System test and validation
  
  General Requirements

Ability to work onsite and follow a 9/80 schedule (core hours 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM). Occasional travel may be required. Compliance with workplace safety and drug‑free policies.

Candidates must meet one of the following:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Physical Science, or related technical field and 3+ years of experience.
• Advanced degree in Engineering or Physical Science.
• Military technical school certification equivalent to engineering disciplines.
• Non-degreed candidates with uniquely applicable experience may be considered.

• Aerospace, Aeronautical, Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, Chemical, Civil, Computer Science, Human Factors, Safety, Industrial Engineering, Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, or related disciplines.

• 401(k) with matching
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• Paid personal leave and federal holidays
• Tuition reimbursement
• Competitive compensation and career development opportunities