Senior Systems Engineer, Safety and Reliability

Salient Motion•Torrance, CA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

We are pioneering modular motion technologies to power the next generation of innovation for Industrial, Aerospace and Defense. We are at the forefront of innovation, crafting exclusive motion control components that propel the aerospace and defense sectors into the future. We offer a lot of autonomy, like to run lean for impact, have great benefits, are well funded, and already generating revenue. We just moved into a new large hangar facility in Hawthorne, CA. We are looking for a Senior Systems Engineer with deep expertise in safety and reliability to own safety and reliability deliverables across the product lifecycle — from requirements and architecture through analysis, test, and certification. You will work directly with our systems engineering lead, DER, and cross-functional leads across hardware, software, and mechanical engineering on a fast-moving FAA Part 25 / EASA CS-25 certification program.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Aerospace, Electrical, or Mechanical Engineering.
5+ years of systems engineering experience, with at least 3 years focused on safety and/or reliability analysis.
Hands-on ownership of deliverables — not just familiarity.
Demonstrated working knowledge of SAE ARP4754B and SAE ARP4761A, or equivalent frameworks (IEC 61508, MIL-STD-882, ISO 26262 considered).
Must have owned FHA, FTA, and FMEA/FMES deliverables through a formal review.
Proficiency in MTBF analysis and reliability prediction.
Ability to build and maintain reliability models independently.
Strong written communication; able to produce certification-quality documentation that holds up to DER and airframe customer scrutiny.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree a plus.
Experience with FAA Part 25 or Part 23 certification programs.
Familiarity with DO-160G, DO-178C, and/or DO-254 as they intersect with system safety.
Background in adjacent industries is welcome — defense, medical devices, and automotive functional safety (ISO 26262) develop the same analytical rigor we need.
Prior experience at a small or scaling aerospace company.

Responsibilities

Own safety and reliability deliverables across the product lifecycle — from requirements and architecture through analysis, test, and certification.
Own FHA, PSSA, and SSA activities end-to-end. Produce certification-quality deliverables that satisfy SAE ARP4754B and SAE ARP4761A guidelines.
Lead FTA and FMEA/FMES (Failure Modes and Effects Summary) development across system, subsystem, and component levels. Maintain traceability from hazard to design mitigation to verification evidence.
Define and allocate safety requirements to hardware, software, and mechanical subsystems. Track closure through test and analysis.
Serve as the safety engineering point of contact for the FAA DER and airframe customer technical teams. Support development of safety plans, compliance checklists, and design assurance documentation.
Develop and maintain reliability models and predictions using MIL-HDBK-217, FIDES, or equivalent methods. Own MTBF analysis and reliability requirement allocation to subsystems.
Drive reliability-focused FMEA activities that feed both design decisions and safety analysis inputs.
Participate in PDR and CDR as the safety and reliability subject matter expert. Identify and drive resolution of safety-relevant design risks.
Support DO-178C and DO-254 planning activities as they interface with system-level safety requirements.