Senior systems safety engineer

Join the elite team at QDSS, where our engineers are at the forefront of developing cutting-edge Aerospace, Defense, Space, and Medical Device products. Your work will make a real impact, contributing to the core of engineering solutions that drive technological advancements.

Quest Defense Systems & Solutions is seeking a highly experienced Aircraft Systems Safety Engineer to support the aircraft-level safety assessment and certification of an advanced integrated avionics and cockpit platform. This role will evaluate how flight controls, flight management, displays, navigation, guidance, and network communications interact within the overall aircraft architecture.

The ideal candidate will have 10+ years of aircraft systems safety, airworthiness, or avionics certification experience, with strong hands-on knowledge of SAE ARP4761 and ARP4754A. Responsibilities include developing aircraft and system-level FHAs, Preliminary System Safety Assessments, Fault Tree Analyses, FMEAs, Common Mode Analyses, and FDAL/IDAL determinations.

This is a commercial aircraft program, so direct ARP4761 experience is essential. Experience with CAFTA or RELEX and requirements traceability using DOORS is highly valued.

Hybrid work in Phoenix, AZ is preferred; however, qualified remote candidates will be considered. U.S. Citizenship or U.S. Permanent Resident status is required.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain aircraft- and system-level safety assessments for an integrated avionics and cockpit architecture.
• Perform Functional Hazard Assessments, Preliminary System Safety Assessments, Fault Tree Analyses, FMEAs, and Common Mode Analyses in accordance with SAE ARP4761 and ARP4754A.
• Create system-level fault trees using CAFTA, RELEX, or a comparable fault tree analysis tool.
• Work with flight controls, flight management, displays, navigation, guidance, communications, and other engineering teams to evaluate system interactions and hazard effects.
• Translate aircraft-level safety objectives into architectural decisions, system requirements, and hardware and software allocations.
• Perform FHA, FDAL, and IDAL analyses and maintain traceability between hazards, safety requirements, design decisions, and verification evidence.
• Review system, subsystem, hardware, and software designs to confirm that safety requirements and mitigations are properly implemented.
• Review OEM safety assessments, technical requirements, product-level analyses, and certification documentation for completeness and compliance.
• Support system design reviews, safety reviews, flight-test activities, customer meetings, and discussions with certification authorities.
• Provide aircraft systems safety expertise throughout the development, integration, verification, and certification lifecycle.

Required Qualifications:

• 10+ years of experience in aircraft systems safety, airworthiness, avionics systems engineering, or a closely related field.
• Hands-on experience performing commercial aircraft safety assessments in accordance with SAE ARP4761 and ARP4754A.
• Experience developing and maintaining aircraft- or system-level FHAs, Preliminary System Safety Assessments, Fault Tree Analyses, FMEAs, and Common Mode Analyses.
• Strong understanding of integrated avionics and real-time airborne systems, including the interaction of cockpit functions such as flight controls, flight management, displays, navigation, guidance, and communications.
• Experience translating aircraft-level hazards and safety objectives into system requirements, architectural decisions, and hardware and software allocations.
• Experience creating or reviewing system-level fault trees using CAFTA, RELEX, or a comparable fault tree analysis tool.
• Experience managing safety requirements, allocations, and traceability using DOORS, DOORS Next Generation, or a comparable requirements management tool.
• Ability to review complex system and subsystem designs, identify safety concerns, and communicate technical findings across engineering, program, customer, and certification teams.
• Experience supporting design reviews, certification activities, and technical discussions with aircraft manufacturers, customers, or certification authorities.
• U.S. Citizenship or U.S. Permanent Resident status.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience applying MIL-STD-882E in addition to commercial aircraft safety standards.
• Familiarity with certification requirements and regulatory guidance for 14 CFR Parts 23, 25, 27, or 29.
• Experience supporting commercial aircraft certification activities and working with aircraft manufacturers, designated representatives, or certification authorities.
• Experience working within an Agile engineering environment, including participation in sprint planning, technical reviews, and cross-functional team activities.
• Familiarity with JIRA or a comparable problem-reporting and work-tracking tool.
• Experience with configuration management and change-control processes, including Change Control Boards and tools such as Rational Quality Manager or Teamcenter.
• Experience supporting safety-of-flight testing, integrated flight-test activities, human factors reviews, or radiation sensitivity analyses.
• Knowledge of scalable or configurable avionics architectures that support multiple aircraft classes or platform configurations.
• Previous experience with integrated cockpit or avionics platforms, including EPIC, Anthem, or a comparable system.

The QDSS Advantage:

At QDSS, our advantage is purpose-driven work, collaborative teams, and complex challenges that push boundaries and build lasting impact. You’ll grow your career while contributing to mission-critical programs that demand excellence and shape the future.

What You’ll Find Here

• Work That Matters – Next-generation, safety- and mission-critical projects where your contributions have real-world impact.
• Growth That’s Supported – Competitive compensation, employer-matched 401(k), certification assistance, and clear opportunities for advancement.
• A Culture That Works – A flexible, collaborative, and people-first environment where teamwork, innovation, and balance are valued.

Benefits Include

Competitive pay, comprehensive medical/dental/life and disability coverage, 401(k) with employer match, professional development support, and a flexible, friendly workplace.

Full compensation package is based on candidate experience and certifications.

Pay Ranges

$80—$90 USD

At Quest Defense Systems and Solutions, we don’t just build technology — we engineer the future. From next-generation aerospace solutions to cutting-edge defense systems, we tackle the toughest, mission-critical challenges that keep people safe and push the boundaries of innovation. This is where problem-solvers, innovators, and visionary thinkers come together to shape the future. With over 25 years of aerospace and defense engineering expertise, our commitment to delivering high-quality, transformative solutions sets us apart — not just as an industry leader, but as a driving force for impactful change. Together, we’re not just leading the industry — we’re revolutionizing it.

Quest Defense provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.