Job Description
Job Description
Purpose of position: Serves as a Test, Range and System Safety advisor to the STARCOM Commander. To develop and provide test, range and system safety program management policy and guidance, safety expertise, and interpretation of National, DOD, and AF regulatory criteria to the Headquarters Space Test and Readiness Command (HQ STARCOM) staff and subordinate units.
Required Skills
Oversee comprehensive safety programs across the system life cycle (development, processing, deployment, and operations).• Develop the official HQ STARCOM/SE position on safety requirements for RFPs, specifications, engineering change proposals, and contractor documentation.• Conduct quantitative and qualitative risk analyses to safeguard personnel, national security space assets, and the public.• Represent the Command on elite inter-agency and international panels (e.g., DAF Space Safety Council, NASA/FAA/DoD Orbital Debris Working Group, IADC, and the International Association for the Advancement of Space Safety).
Formulate and publish advanced safety policies, supplements, and regulatory guidance for HQ STARCOM and subordinate units.• Collaborate across the space enterprise (including MDA, NASA, NRO, AFRL, and SSC Program Managers) to align safety standards with emerging space technologies.• Act as the primary Safety Advocate to senior leadership, ensuring hazards and mishap risks are fully integrated into acquisition and operational decisions.
Lead Command-level Safety Investigation Boards (SIBs) for Class A and B test, range, and system mishaps.• Advise SIB Presidents and board members on compliance with Department of the Air Force Instructions (DAFI) and safety manuals.• Conduct rigorous quality reviews of final investigation findings, causes, and mitigation recommendations to prevent mishap recurrence.
Provide specialized Space Safety training and conduct trend analyses to drive proactive mishap prevention.• Support the HQ STARCOM Crisis Action Team (CAT) and independently augment the HQ USSF/IG for command-wide safety compliance inspections.• Manage higher-security special projects and represent Space Safety interests at executive-level technical interchange meetings.
Desired Skills
1. Expert knowledge of and experience in test, range and system safety management and engineering principles, purposes, functions, and values including regulations, standards, techniques, and processes for highly complex space systems, safety programs and program management.
2. Practical knowledge in areas such as electronics, orbital mechanics, GPS, telemetry, mechanics, astronautics, failure mode effects analysis, space control, ground-based space systems, space test range operations, satellite communications, system safety, risk management, human factors, software safety, developmental/operational test and evaluation, training, etc.
3. In-depth knowledge of mandatory federal safety and health standards, American consensus standards, and other nationally recognized safety guidance sufficient to determine the need for inclusion in, and supplementation of DoD, USSF, USAF and MIL-STD safety standards.
4. Expert knowledge of the body of laws, regulations, policies, and procedures related to acquisition safety to sufficiently determine compliance with applicable regulatory provisions during Safety Program evaluations.
5. Skill in designing and conducting comprehensive studies and developing solutions to broad, important, and operationally relevant areas, sometimes of interagency and international significance. Able to negotiate effectively with management to recognize trends, accept and implement risk-based decisions and adopt mitigation strategies.
6 Skill to effectively understand and explain both written or orally, highly complex and technical test, range and system safety design and operation principles. Ability to apply conventional knowledge, experience, and expertise to develop innovative ways to conduct business while maintaining focus on safety and mission support.
Certificates/Security Clearances/Other
Required to handle and safeguard sensitive and/or classified information in accordance with regulations to reduce potential compromise.
- Position is designated special-sensitive and requires a TOP SECRET (TS) security clearance with eligibility for access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI), other intelligence-related Special Sensitive information, or involvement in Top Secret Special Access Programs (SAP) to fully perform the duties and responsibilities of the position. A non-disclosure agreement must be signed. Employee must be able to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret w/SCI clearance.
- This position is designated as a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the Air Force Civilian Drug Testing Program. Illegal drug use by employees in sensitive positions present a clear threat to the mission of the Air Force, national security, and public safety. It is required that you (a) refrain from the use of illegal drugs and (b) if requested, submit to urinalysis testing.
- The employee must meet the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) requirements applicable to the duties of the position.
- Position requires a professional engineering degree at the bachelor's level from an ABET accredited institution is required. Advanced degrees are preferred.
- May be required to travel by military or commercial aircraft in the performance of TDY assignments.
- May be required to work overtime on an unscheduled or emergency basis.
- Work requires regular and recurring physical exertion related to frequent onsite inspections requiring considerable standing, walking, climbing, bending, crouching, stretching, reaching, or similar movements. Occasionally, there may be a need to lift and carry moderately heavy objects. The work may require some degree of agility and dexterity when it involves inspecting construction sites or industrial work centers/buildings.
- Work involves regular and recurring exposure to hazards, unpleasantness and discomforts such as moving machine parts, shielded radiation sources, irritant chemicals, acid fumes, physical stresses, high noise levels, adverse weather conditions, and high temperatures from steam lines. Protective equipment and clothing may be needed, including, but not limited to, hard hat, appropriate safety shoes, earmuffs or plugs, goggles, respirators, and gloves.
