Launch Ground & Environmental Safety Specialist

Systems Planning and Analysis•Cape Canaveral, FL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. (SPA) delivers high-impact, technical solutions to complex national security issues. With over 50 years of business expertise and consistent growth, we are known for continuous innovation for our government customers, in both the US and abroad. Our exceptionally talented team is highly collaborative in spirit and practice, producing Results that Matter. Come work with the best! We offer opportunity, unique challenges, and clear-sighted commitment to the mission. SPA: Objective. Responsive. Trusted. The Space and Intelligence Division provides professional services to the US Space Force, Combatant Commands, Intelligence Community, and NASA. Our work includes enterprise architectural assessments, systems engineering and integration, test, planning and execution, cost estimating and analysis, acquisition support, and cybersecurity. We are trusted partners developing approaches and concepts to meet emerging high priority needs, assessing cutting-edge technologies, and supporting capabilities for our National Defense. Come join the fastest growing Division at Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc.! The Intelligence Programs Group (IPG), part of SPA’s Space and Intelligence Division, is a specialized provider of systems engineering and trusted advisory services to the Space and National Intelligence community. We utilize mission-proven, data-driven advisory tools and capabilities. We provide highly technical support to ensure the government acquires cutting edge technology necessary for our National Defense. Our portfolio includes the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Come where you will be part of our high-caliber team! We are seeking a qualified Launch Ground & Environmental Safety Specialist (LGESS) to provide Launch Vehicle & Satellite Vehicle (SV/LV) safety and environmental support to assigned programs. This position supports program integration and space vehicle pre-launch operations in compliance with Space Force requirements and NRO corporate policies. The LGESS serves as a technical safety advisor, applying systems safety and engineering principles to support launch and space vehicle processing, integration, and mission execution. The role emphasizes Safety Review Team (SRT) participation, hazard analysis, and direct support to hazardous operations and pre-launch decision forums. This position requires a strong technical foundation and hands-on experience supporting launch vehicle and space vehicle safety activities. The LGESS serves as a trusted advisor to Government leadership, ensuring safety considerations are fully integrated into launch planning, execution, and decision-making.

Requirements

Active TS/SCI clearance with Polygraph in the last 10 years
Please discuss specific polygraph requirements with an SPA Talent Acquisition professional
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Safety Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or a related technical or scientific discipline
Minimum 10 years of relevant safety or engineering experience
Minimum 5 years of experience supporting NRO programs
Experience supporting launch vehicle or satellite vehicle safety operations
Proven ability to independently evaluate safety documentation and operational risk
Knowledge of Space Force range safety and launch safety requirements
Ability to clearly communicate technical safety issues and recommendations to Government leadership
One or more safety-related certifications such as Certified Safety Professional, Radiation Safety Officer, Laser Safety Officer, or Fire Inspector Level I or II
Ability to report to designated work location at Cape Canaveral, up to full time, based on the needs of the customer

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Engineering, Systems Engineering, Safety Engineering, or a related technical discipline
State-registered Professional Engineer
Experience participating in or supporting Safety Review Teams (SRT)
Design, test, evaluation, or operational experience in at least three of the following technical areas
Energetic materials (explosives, munitions, pyrotechnics)
Cryogenics
Toxic or hypergolic propellants
High-pressure hydraulic or pneumatic systems
Radiation sources (ionizing or non-ionizing)
High-energy power systems (turbine, gas, liquid, steam)
Rocket systems (liquid, solid, ion)

Responsibilities

Serve as a primary technical safety advisor supporting launch vehicle and space vehicle processing, integration, and pre-launch operations.
Provide technical engineering support to Safety Review Teams (SRT).
Perform system engineering and safety evaluation and monitoring of assigned programs, equipment, tasks, and operations.
Apply systems safety principles to identify hazards, assess risk, and evaluate mitigations associated with space vehicle design, integration, transport, test, and launch activities.
Conduct technical evaluations of space vehicle safety documentation including safety assessment reports, hazardous operation reports, procedures, interface control documents, and transportation plans.
Develop, review, and adjudicate hazard analyses and verify implementation of hazard controls.
Develop and provide formal safety comments to program offices, SRTs, and Space Wing Range Safety organizations.
Perform pre-hazardous operation safety walk-downs and inspections of facilities, processing areas, and ground support equipment.
Provide safety oversight and support during hazardous operations including fueling, ordnance installation, pressurization, hazardous material handling, and final closeout activities.
Support hazardous operations affecting assigned space vehicle pre-launch processing.
Perform safety reviews and evaluations of OSL support contractors and subcontractor interfaces supporting space vehicle processing activities.
Coordinate safety interfaces between the 30th and 45th Space Range Safety organizations and assigned space vehicle programs.
Assess impacts of facility modifications, ground support equipment changes, and operational procedure updates on assigned space vehicle programs.
Participate in readiness reviews, safety reviews, and pre-launch decision forums as a subject matter expert.
Track safety risks, waivers, deviations, corrective actions, and closure status.
Support anomaly resolution and mishap investigations related to launch or space vehicle operations as required.
Create, review, update, and maintain required space vehicle safety documentation to ensure alignment with current configurations and operational concepts.
Maintain situational awareness of launch vehicle configurations, mission profiles, and payload-specific safety considerations.