ARES Corporation

Human Spaceflight System Safety Engineer (Hybrid) - Centaur V

ARES Corporation$100K — $130K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Strong background in System Safety Engineering for complex aerospace systems.
  • Experience with hazard reports and safety certification for human spaceflight.
  • Familiarity with NASA safety standards and processes.
  • Strong analytical skills for evaluating safety-critical failure modes.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
  • Ability to navigate a fast-paced, priority-shifting environment.
  • Commitment to crew safety and mission success.

Responsibilities

  • Support system safety activities for the Centaur V upper stage.
  • Perform hazard analyses and develop risk mitigation strategies.
  • Evaluate Centaur V design against NASA human-rating standards.
  • Prepare for and support NASA safety reviews and coordination.
  • Present safety data and resolve safety actions with NASA.

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
  • Health Savings and Flexible Spending accounts.
  • Life and Disability insurance.
  • Critical Illness and Accident insurance.
  • 401(k) plan available.
  • Paid Time Off and recognized holidays.
Full Job Description
ARES Corporation seeks a Human Spaceflight System Safety Engineer to join an engineering team supporting United Launch Alliance (ULA) and NASA's Artemis program. The selected candidate will provide critical system safety support for the Centaur V upper stage on crewed Artemis missions.

In support of ULA's Human Spaceflight Team, this role focuses on ensuring the Centaur V upper stage meets NASA's rigorous human-rating safety requirements, including hazard identification, risk assessment, fault tolerance, and safety verification necessary for safe crewed flight.

Work location: Hybrid, with regular on-site support at ULA's facility in Centennial, Colorado.

Essential Functions:
  • System Safety Program Support: Support system safety activities for the Centaur V upper stage, including the development, review, and maintenance of hazard reports, safety analyses, and safety requirements compliance documentation.
  • Hazard Analysis & Risk Mitigation: Perform and support detailed hazard analyses to identify credible hazards, evaluate risk, and develop appropriate mitigation strategies to ensure compliance with NASA human spaceflight safety standards.
  • Human-Rating Certification Support: Evaluate the Centaur V design, subsystems, and operational processes against NASA human spaceflight safety and human-rating standards. Assess fault tolerance exceptions, provide technical rationale, and support certification efforts with NASA.
  • Safety Review & Customer Coordination: Prepare for and support NASA safety reviews, including coordination with NASA safety organizations, presentation of safety data, and closure of safety actions and findings.

Minimum Requirements:
  • Strong background in System Safety Engineering for complex, high-reliability aerospace systems.
  • Experience developing hazard reports, performing hazard analyses, and supporting safety certification for human spaceflight or similarly critical systems.
  • Experience with NASA safety standards and processes.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to evaluate complex systems for safety-critical failure modes and risk.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to clearly present safety rationale and risk assessments to NASA customers and senior management.
  • Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with multiple competing priorities.
  • Dedication to crew safety and mission success with high personal accountability.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Direct experience supporting NASA human spaceflight programs (Artemis, SLS, Orion, Commercial Crew, or similar).
  • Hands-on experience with NASA safety review processes (e.g., Safety Review Panels, Hazard Review Boards).
  • Familiarity with Centaur/upper stage propulsion systems, avionics, or cryogenic fluid systems.
  • Background in developing or reviewing safety products for flight software, propulsion, or integrated vehicle systems.

Required Education/Experience:
  • BS/BA degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Safety Engineering, or a related technical field.
  • 6+ years of professional experience including System Safety Engineering, preferably within human spaceflight, launch vehicles, or other high-hazard aerospace programs.


ARES offers a competitive compensation and benefit package. Full time employees may participate in:
  • Medical Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • HSA/FSA Accounts
  • Life & Disability Insurance
  • Critical Illness & Accident Insurance
  • 401(k) Plan
  • Paid Time Off & Holidays

About ARES Corporation

ARES Corporation is a privately held company that provides engineering, project management, risk management, and technology solutions for clients in the aerospace and defense industries. The company was founded in 1992 and is headquartered in McLean, Virginia. ARES Corporation has worked on a variety of projects, including the development of the Orion spacecraft for NASA and the design of the Air Force's next-generation bomber. The company has also provided support for the Department of Defense and other government agencies.
Learn more about ARES Corporation
Size
1,000 employees
Market Cap
$9.6 billion
Industry
Net Income
$484 million
Revenue
$1.5 billion
NASDAQ

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