Safety Panel Engineer

The Safety Panel Engineer (SPE) supports NASA Safety and Mission Assurance (SMA) and the safety review processes by providing technical evaluation, hazard analysis insight, and disciplined oversight for assigned Safety Review Panels. The SPE ensures that programs, payloads, and flight hardware meet NASA safety requirements and that risk is clearly communicated to ISS stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as the SMA representative and technical focal point for designated NASA Safety Review Panels for the International Space Station.
• Review, assess, and provide technical disposition for hazard reports, verification data, control implementations, and safety documentation.
• Coordinate with system engineers, program offices, payload organizations, International Partners, and safety authorities to ensure compliance with NASA standards and risk requirements.
• Prepare technical inputs and recommendations for formal panel deliberations, decisions, and approvals.
• Support development and updates of safety processes, panel procedures, and safety requirements documentation.
• Track hazard verification closeouts required verification products, and panel action items to ensure timely completion of panel reviews.
• Review flight documents, operational scenarios, and subsequent changes for safety impact.
• Participate in Safety Panel Reviews, technical interchange meetings, working groups, and risk assessments as needed.
• Communicate findings, risks, and safety concerns to ISS leadership clearly and professionally.

Required Education:

• Bachelors and five (5) years or more experience; Masters and three (3) years or more experience; PhD and 0 years related experience.

Desired Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical, Systems, or related).

Required Qualifications:

• 10-15 years of relevant engineering experience in aerospace, human spaceflight, or high‑reliability systems.
• Strong verbal communication and technical writing skills.
• Comfortable with public speaking for small and large audiences of ISS Stakeholders.
• Understanding of hazard analyses, risk assessment methods, and systems engineering principles.
• Ability to collaborate in a multidisciplinary environment and maintain technical independence.
• Knowledge and use of common business software: word processing, spreadsheets, presentation graphics.
• Ability to develop excellent working relationships with customers: NASA, Space Station contractors, International Partners, peers, and management.
• Ability to utilize Microsoft Office to prepare reports, presentations, and charts.
• Must be a U.S. citizen.  

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience supporting NASA programs, panels, or flight certification processes.
• Familiarity with NASA safety requirements including SSP 30599 and SSP 51721.
• Experience with ISS, Artemis, Gateway, Moon Base, or xEVA systems.
• Prior safety engineering experience on NASA contracts.