Flight Test Safety Program Manager
$130,800–$170,000 year
On-site · San Jose, California, United States
Job Summary
Lead the Flight Test Safety Program, own hazard identification and SRM for flight test, develop the Flight Test Safety Management System (FT-SMS), and maintain the Flight Test Emergency Response Plan. Drive investigations, surface hazards, and foster a proactive safety culture across flight-test activities. Serve as a key interface between Flight Test, Flight Safety, Certification, and site EHS; have authority to challenge and stop unsafe test activity. Requires collaborating with senior leadership to track safety performance, conduct reviews, and ensure compliance with regulatory guidance. Must communicate complex safety issues clearly, write technically sound reports, and maintain high standards of integrity and ethics. Must have a Bachelor’s degree and 5+ years in aviation safety, with knowledge of human factors, safety investigations, risk assessment, and SMS concepts. Desired qualifications include pilot certifications and experience with FAA/aviation authorities; compensation range targeted at $130,800–$170,000 base pay.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree.
- Minimum 5 years of aviation safety experience or formal aviation safety training.
- Demonstrated knowledge of safety investigation techniques, root cause analysis, and technical report writing.
- Strong understanding of risk assessment and mitigation strategies, safety audits, and continuous improvement processes.
- Knowledge of human factors in aviation and its application to flight and ground test operations.
- Ability to analyze safety data and trends, anticipate potential risks, and recommend targeted mitigation strategies.
- Proven ability to communicate complex safety issues clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing, to technical and non-technical audiences.
- Demonstrated ability to uphold high standards of integrity and ethical behavior, maintaining safety as the top priority even when in tension with schedule or other business pressures.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
Desired Qualifications
- Pilot certifications (e.g., private, commercial) or other relevant operational experience in flight operations or flight test.
- Experience implementing or working within a formal Safety Management System (SMS), preferably in flight test, Part 135, or Part 121 environments.
- Direct experience with manned flight test safety, proving runs, route/procedure validation, or test conduct in fixed-wing, rotorcraft, or eVTOL programs.
- Familiarity with commercial airline or air taxi operations and the interfaces between test programs and entry-into-service.
- Professional safety or aviation certifications (e.g., CSP, CFIOSH, ASQ, or equivalent).
- Experience collaborating with FAA or other aviation authorities on safety or operational matters. Knowledgeable with FAA Order 4040.26C
Apply with one swipe on Sorce. We auto-fill applications and apply on your behalf — no cover letters, no 40-minute forms.
Hiring someone like this?
Get your role in front of qualified candidates on Sorce.