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System Safety Engineer

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
Laurel, MD Full Time
POSTED ON 10/11/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 12/10/2026
Description

Have you always wanted to work on space flight systems?

Are you passionate about system safety engineering and mitigating hazards associated with development, integration, test, and operation of robotic space systems?

If so, we're looking for someone like you to join our team at APL.

We are seeking a system safety engineer to help us plan and implement system safety programs for space flight projects. You will support a mixture of civil and national security space systems (spacecraft and payloads) of national significance.

As a system safety engineer...

  • Your primary responsibility will be to develop and implement system safety programs for assigned space system development projects.
  • You will develop documentation including system safety program plans, system safety analyses, software safety analyses, safety assessment reports, and missile system prelaunch safety packages (MSPSPs).
  • You will perform quantitative analyses related to human and hardware safety during ground operations with potentially hazardous systems.
  • You will provide input to project documents related to potential safety issues and hazard controls.
  • You will participate in project requirement reviews, design reviews, and technical interchange meetings to identify potential safety issues and required hazard mitigating controls.
  • You will lead safety reviews and system safety working groups.
  • You will participate in space system assembly, integration, test, and launch operations to ensure required safety controls are implemented to preclude realization of identified hazards.
  • You may support one or more space flight projects ensuring quality and system assurance requirements are defined, implemented, and are in compliance with sponsor and APL requirements.

Qualifications

You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...

  • Have a Bachelor's degree in engineering, mathematics, physics, or related field with experience in systems safety activities and operations.
  • Are an extremely good communicator with sound professional judgment.
  • Have a positive attitude and be able to plan and prioritize work effort and quickly respond to a myriad of issues and questions simultaneously.
  • Are able to develop effective working relationships with engineering and program management.
  • Are willing and able to travel, work in clean rooms, and occasionally work long hours and weekends.
  • Hold an active Secret clearance and can ultimately obtain a Top Secret level security clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

You'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...

  • Have a Master's degree or higher in engineering or a related field with experience in systems safety activities and operations.
  • Hold an active Top Secret clearance.
  • Are familiar with NASA and DOW safety / range safety requirements for space flight hardware, ground support hardware, and safety critical software systems, including MIL-STD-882, SSCMAN 91-710, NASA Procedural Requirement 8715.3, NASA Procedural Requirement 8715.7, and NASA-STD-8719.24.
  • Have experience with space or missile system integration and test and previous experience supporting at least one launch campaign at either the Eastern Range, Western Range, or DOW missile launch facility (WSMR, PMRF, RTS).
  • Have experience performing system safety activities in support of space flight systems, especially hands-on experience during spacecraft integration and test.
  • Have experience implementing a Systems Assurance program at different levels of NASA risk classification from Class A through D, as well as NPR 7120.8 Technology Demonstrations or Do-No-Harm programs
  • Possess current or recent NASA and IPC workmanship inspection certifications (J-STD-001 with space addendum, NASA-STD-8739,1, NASA-STD-8739.4, and/or IPC/WHMA-A-620).
  • Have experience working in an AS9100 environment or auditing to AS9100.

About Us

Why Work at APL?

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation's most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.

At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL's campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities athttps://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contactAccessibility@jhuapl.edu.

The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL's good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.


Minimum Rate

$105,000 Annually

Maximum Rate

$290,000 Annually

 

Salary : $105,000 - $290,000

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