Systems Safety Engineer - SouthPAN

Position Overview

Priority Level: HIGH
Program: SouthPAN
Location: Fairfax, VA (Full-time required)
Openings: 1 position
Current Interest: 1 candidate

Clearance Requirements

• Current Status: Uncleared (must be clearable U.S. Citizen)
• Future Clearance: Highly unlikely to be used elsewhere at Zeta
• Note: Clearance process unlikely to be initiated for this role

Education & Experience

• Required: BS in EE/CE/CS or related field
• Preferred: MS degree
• Experience: 7+ years of systems engineering experience
• Focus: Systems and software development lifecycles

Core Technical Requirements

Safety Standards Expertise

• SAE ARP4754A: Strong knowledge required
• ARP 4761: Strong knowledge required
• Aviation Standards: Understanding of aviation safety processes
• Compliance: Experience with regulatory compliance processes

Systems Engineering Experience

• Lifecycle Management: Systems and software development lifecycle experience
• Safety Analysis: Hazard analysis and risk assessment
• Requirements Management: Safety requirements development and verification
• Documentation: Safety documentation and certification processes

Domain Experience Requirements

Primary Focus

• Aircraft Systems: Systems safety experience supporting aircraft development
• Aviation Industry: Understanding of aviation safety regulations and standards

Alternative Domains (Considered)

• Ships/Submarines: Marine systems safety experience
• Other Safety-Critical Systems: Transportation, medical devices, industrial systems

Geographic Considerations

Typical Candidate Locations

• Primary Locations: Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Texas, California
• Reason: Where large aircraft companies are located
• DC Metro Area: Most candidates do NOT live in DC metro area

Relocation Requirements

• Requirement: Must work full-time in Fairfax, VA
• Relocation: Likely required for most candidates
• Company Support: Zeta does not pay for relocation
• Possible Incentive: Potential $5K sign-on bonus (no guarantees)

Preferred Qualifications

• Certification: Systems safety certifications
• Regulatory Experience: FAA, EASA, or other aviation authorities
• Tool Experience: Safety analysis tools (FTA, FMEA, etc.)
• Program Management: Experience on large aircraft programs
• Technical Writing: Strong documentation and communication skills

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement systems safety processes
• Conduct hazard analysis and risk assessments
• Ensure compliance with aviation safety standards
• Collaborate with engineering teams on safety requirements
• Support certification and regulatory processes
• Document safety analyses and recommendations

Compensation

• Benefits Package: 25% 401K + 25% IBA + 8 weeks PTO + 100% tuition reimbursement
• Sign-on Bonus: Possible $5K to assist with relocation (not guaranteed)

Critical Success Factors

• ARP Standards: Must have strong knowledge of SAE ARP4754A and ARP 4761
• Aircraft Experience: Systems safety experience with aircraft development
• Relocation Willingness: Must be willing to relocate to Fairfax, VA
• Lifecycle Experience: 7+ years in systems/software development lifecycles

Recruitment Challenges

• Geographic Distribution: Most qualified candidates located outside DC area
• Niche Expertise: Limited pool of candidates with required standards knowledge
• Relocation Requirement: May limit candidate pool due to no relocation assistance
• Clearance Limitation: Role unlikely to lead to cleared opportunities at Zeta