Staff System Safety Engineer

nLIGHT • Longmont, CO

73d • $125,000 - $175,000 • Onsite

About The Position

nLIGHT-DEFENSE Systems, Inc. is a leading developer of Directed Energy systems, a top modernization priority for the Department of Defense. Our High Energy Laser (HEL) systems, Adaptive Optical (AO) systems, and Acquisition / Pointing / Tracking (APT) solutions are designed to overcome complex challenges in deploying high energy laser solutions to the U.S. military and allies. Located in Longmont, Colorado, nLIGHT-DEFENSE Systems is a vertically integrated business with internal capabilities from semiconductor devices to target identification, ensuring high-performance and cost-effective systems. We continuously invest in capabilities, facilities, and technology to deliver cutting-edge HEL solutions to warfighters. This role offers an opportunity to work at the forefront of the HEL industry within a culture of excellence and commitment.

Headquartered in Camas, Washington, nLIGHT is a publicly listed company (NASDAQ: LASR).

The System Safety Engineer will lead system safety activities for High Energy Laser (HEL) Weapon Systems and Beam Control Systems throughout their product lifecycle. As part of the Systems Engineering organization, this role will support multiple development programs at nLIGHT Defense Systems and act as a system safety subject matter expert for engineering teams and program leadership. Key responsibilities include hazard identification, risk assessment and management, safety requirements development, and ensuring compliance with MIL-STD-882E and customer-specific safety requirements. The successful candidate will collaborate across systems, software, firmware, electrical, mechanical, and test engineering disciplines to integrate safety into system architecture, design, verification, testing, and operational planning, while also advancing system safety practices across the organization.

All applicants must possess or be qualified to obtain a U.S. DoD Personnel Security Clearance. Preference will be given to candidates with an existing U.S. DoD Personnel Security Clearance. Further information on requirements to obtain a security clearance is available at: https://www.dcsa.mil/mc/pv/mbi/gicp/. Please review this information before applying.

Requirements

• Commitment to Excellence. Attention to Detail. Pride in Workmanship.
• Ability to work in a dynamic environment and maintain composure and good working relationships under pressure.
• 3+ years of experience in system safety engineering, systems engineering, or a related discipline supporting aerospace, defense, or complex technical systems.
• Working knowledge of MIL-STD-882E and the application of system safety engineering principles throughout the system lifecycle.
• Experience conducting hazard analyses and developing risk mitigation strategies for complex systems.
• Experience developing and maintaining hazard tracking systems and safety risk documentation.
• Ability to interpret and apply military, government, and industry safety standards and requirements.
• Excels in individual and collaborative work assignments, with a focus on promoting a collaborative work environment.
• Effectively manage schedule and priorities with minimal daily direction to meet mid- to long-term schedule objectives.
• Superior problem-solving ability and ability to absorb information from multiple sources to reach a solution.
• Strong technical writing skills with experience developing formal engineering and safety documentation.
• Experience supporting design reviews, test events, verification activities, and requirements management.
• Familiarity with systems engineering processes and tools, including requirements management and traceability.
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
• Must possess or be qualified to obtain a U.S. DoD Personnel Security Clearance.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with systems engineering tools such as Cameo Systems Modeler, DOORS, Jama, or similar tools is desired.
• Experience serving as a System Safety Engineer on DoD programs.
• Experience supporting development of weapon systems, directed energy systems, aerospace platforms, or other mission-critical defense systems.
• Experience developing and executing System Safety Program Plans (SSPPs) and other MIL-STD-882E safety artifacts.
• Experience with laser safety standards and hazard analyses associated with High Energy Laser (HEL) systems, including familiarity with ANSI Z136 standards.
• Experience performing advanced safety analyses such as FMEA/FMECA, Fault Tree Analysis (FTA), STPA, and Common Cause Analysis (CCA).
• Experience supporting safety review boards, hazard acceptance processes, and customer safety working groups within the DoD environment.
• Experience integrating system safety activities with Systems Engineering processes, requirements management, verification, and validation.
• Existing U.S. DoD Personnel Security Clearance.

Responsibilities

• Develop, execute, and maintain a System Safety Program in accordance with MIL-STD-882E and applicable customer requirements.
• Perform hazard analyses including Preliminary Hazard Analysis (PHA), Subsystem Hazard Analysis (SSHA), System Hazard Analysis (SHA), Operating and Support Hazard Analysis (O&SHA), and Health Hazard Analysis (HHA).
• Identify hazards and evaluate associated risks through hazard tracking, risk assessments, and mitigation planning.
• Develop and maintain Hazard Tracking System (HTS) documentation and ensure timely closure of safety actions.
• Collaborate with systems, software, firmware, electrical, mechanical, and test engineering teams to ensure safety requirements are appropriately allocated and implemented.
• Support safety-related requirements development, traceability, verification, and validation activities throughout the project lifecycle.
• Conduct safety assessments of system architectures, designs, interfaces, and operational concepts.
• Develop and deliver system safety documentation including System Safety Program Plans (SSPPs), Hazard Reports, Safety Assessment Reports (SARs), and Safety Verification Reports.
• Support development and integration of safety artifacts for formal DoD acquisition reviews including SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, and other program milestones.
• Participate in technical design reviews and provide recommendations regarding risk acceptance, hazard mitigation, and system safety compliance.
• Provide system safety guidance and support across multiple development programs, serving as a resource for engineering teams, program leadership, and customers.
• Support the development, standardization, and continuous improvement of system safety processes, methodologies, tools, and best practices across the Systems Engineering organization.
• Support customer interactions, audits, and reviews related to system safety planning, execution, and compliance.

Benefits

• 4 weeks of Paid Time Off per year
• 11 paid Holidays
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Health (ACA Gold Plan), Vision and Dental Care paid by employer 100% for Employee and 75% for Dependents
• Paid Family Leave, Short and Long Term Disability paid by employer 100%
• Competitive 401k with company match and immediate vesting

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior