System Safety Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

The System Safety Engineer - SLS Upper Stage will support the space program located at the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in Huntsville, Alabama. The selected candidate can expect to support system safety engineering for NASA's Space Launch System Upper Stage Office during a period of significant configuration evolution, including integration of United Launch Alliance's Centaur V-derived upper stage into future SLS/Artemis missions. The work will involve evaluating launch vehicle and upper-stage hazards across design, integration, test, ground processing, and mission operations; developing and reviewing hazard analyses, safety requirements, verifications, risk assessments, and safety review products; and coordinating with NASA, prime contractors, and commercial upper-stage providers to ensure propulsion, avionics, software, structural, pressure-system, cryogenic, separation, abort/contingency, and ground-interface hazards are identified, controlled, and formally dispositioned. The selected candidate will contribute to a high-visibility human spaceflight program, helping ensure that upper-stage changes, commercial hardware integration, and Artemis mission objectives are implemented with disciplined safety assurance, traceable hazard controls, and sound technical risk communication.RESPONSIBILITIES:Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment & Presentation: Identify, analyze, classify (severity & likelihood), and formally present hazards and risks associated with integration of the SLS Upper Stage into the SLS vehicle to SMA leadership and risk-accepting authorities during milestone reviews, Table-Top Safety Reviews (TTSRs), and flight readiness/certification forums. Safety Requirements Compliance & Documentation Review: Prepare or assess System Safety Program Plans; review SLS program/contractor documentation (PWS, SRD, CEI, DRDs, verification procedures, etc.); assess proposed changes, Non-compliance Reports, and Waiver/Deviation requests to ensure full compliance with NASA Agency, Center, and Program safety requirements. Trade Studies & Design/Operations Safety Input: Actively participate in trade studies for design, development, operations, and mission events on both in-house and contracted projects to ensure safety requirements are met, risks are identified/characterized, and appropriate mitigations are implemented. Hazard Control Verification & Closure: Develop/assess verification plans and Detailed Verification Objectives (DVOs); generate or evaluate safety verification compliance data; track implementation and validation of hazard controls; confirm successful closure of verifications; and develop/present operational hazard control verification evidence to the Safety Verification Board. Procedure & Operational Safety Review: Review test, checkout, and operating procedures for compliance with approved safety controls and verification requirements. Tracking, Reporting & Deliverables: Track SSAR review comments and TTSR action items/agreements to closure; prepare and present safety status during COFR, SORR, FRR, and other program reviews; provide required SMASS contract deliverables (weekly/monthly activity reports, MSR/PEB inputs, DRDs, etc.). Perform additional system safety engineering tasks as assigned in support of the SLS Vehicle Integration Branch and overall program safety posture.REQUIRED:This position has been posted at multiple levels (must meet minimum level indicated). Depending on the candidate's experience, requirements, and business needs, we reserve the right to consider candidates at any level for which this position has been advertised.This position requires US Citizenship status due to the sensitivity of customer related information. Must have a bachelor's degree in the field of engineering, or a related field.Must have 5+ years of recent and related work experience.Must possess demonstrable experience in the performance of system safety hazard analyses and documenting results (e.g., development of System Safety Analysis Reports (SSARs) including hazard reports defining hazard causes, controls, and methods of verification/validation).Extensive experience in the performance of Fault Tree Analysis, Functional Failure Analysis (FFA), Failure Modes and Effects Analysis, and/or similar types of system safety engineering analysis.DESIRED:Experience with cryogenic upper-stage failure modes. Desired areas include LH2/LOX leakage, fire/explosion hazards, over-pressurization, COPV/pressure vessel concerns, engine shutdown/restart failures, common-cause failures, software-commanding errors, valve failures, loss of thermal control, separation system failures, disposal failures, and ground servicing hazards. Prior ULA, Vulcan, Centaur, RL10, or upper-stage integration experience.Experience with ULA upper-stage systems, RL10 engine operations, Vulcan/Centaur interfaces, stage separation, propellant loading, tank pressurization, engine chill-down/start, in-space coast, restart, disposal, and related ground/flight constraints.Experience integrating commercial hardware into NASA human spaceflight programs. The ideal candidate can bridge commercial-provider design data with NASA safety expectations, including translating provider analyses into NASA hazard-report structure, verification closure logic, and formal safety review products.WORK LOCATION: This position is located onsite and offers a 9/80 schedule with every other Friday off; some travel may be required. Schedules are subject to change based on the requirements of the position and/or customer needs.BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS REQUIRED:All Bastion employees must be able to pass a national agency check and some positions require clearance and will require an extensive background verification/check process.DRUG AND ALCOHOL SCREENING REQUIRED:All Bastion employees must be able to pass a pre-employment drug screen and are required to participate in periodic random drug and alcohol screenings.STANDARD BASTION REQUIREMENTS:Must have experience with Microsoft Office Suite, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and TEAMS.All of Bastion's employees must be team players with strong work ethics and must be culture oriented.Able to communicate effectively, verbally and in written form, with internal and external customers.Able to follow company programs, processes, procedures, practices, requirements, goals, and objectives.Must be organized with good time management skills and must be able to work outside normal schedule and adjust schedule to meet peak periods and surge requirements.Generally, an office environment, but can involve inside or outside work depending on the task.Work may involve sitting or standing for extended periods (90% of the time) and may require lifting and carrying up to 25 lbs. (5% of the time).Regular attendance in accordance with an established work schedule is critical.BASTION BENEFITS:Bastion offers a wide range of benefits for their full-time employees; medical, prescription, dental, vision, AD&D, disability benefits, life insurance, retirement 401k, vacation, sick pay, holidays, flexible work schedules (when available), along with many other options. We also support career advancement through professional training and development.ABOUT BASTION:Bastion offers career opportunities with competitive benefits, exciting possibilities for advancement, and an exceptional work environment; the well-being of our employees is a priority, and our flexibility allows our employees a great work life balance. Our culture is based on strong business ethics, integrity, and professionalism. Our team members are known for their initiative and high-quality work. When it comes to our employees, we value, respect, and help them grow in their careers.WORKPLACE EXCELLENCE:At Bastion, we are passionate about our people and our safety culture. Individual thoughts, opinions, and perspectives bring value and help us develop solutions for challenging problems, they make us more inventive, and more resilient.All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status.Bastion participates in e- Verify.#AssociateLevel#LI -OnsiteBT-26121This position qualifies for the internal Bastion Employee Referral Program as a "Critical to Fill" position.