Software System Safety Engineer

About the role

We are seeking a motivated and technically strong Software System Safety Engineer to join the Embedded Software Department at ARL at Penn State. This position supports the development and certification of software-intensive Navy systems. The successful candidate will work closely with software developers, systems engineers, government safety engineers, and Navy stakeholders to identify, assess, and mitigate software contributions to system hazards. The engineer will support programs throughout the system lifecycle, helping develop the analyses, technical evidence, and documentation required to support Navy safety certification and approval activities. Depending on program needs and individual experience, the position may also include opportunities to contribute directly to software development, integration, testing, and technology transition activities. ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.

Responsibilities

• Support software safety activities throughout the system lifecycle
• Assess software contributions to system hazards using established system safety processes and methodologies
• Evaluate software requirements, designs, architectures, interfaces, and test results from a safety perspective
• Collaborate with software developers and systems engineers to implement and verify software safety requirements
• Support software safety analyses and certification activities in accordance with MIL-STD-882E, JSSSEH guidance, and program-specific requirements
• Work with internal safety leads, government Principals for Safety, and NUWC safety engineers to support Navy certification and approval efforts
• Develop technical safety documentation and support hazard tracking activities
• Participate in technical reviews, safety working groups, and certification-related engagements
• Support investigation of anomalies, failures, and software-related safety concerns
• Contribute to software development, integration, testing, and troubleshooting activities as program requirements and individual expertise align

Additional responsibilities for higher-level position

• Conduct independent and collaborative research, development, testing, and evaluation activities to solve complex scientific and engineering challenges supporting Department of Defense sponsors and national security missions
• Investigate, evaluate, and apply established and emerging engineering principles, scientific methodologies, and advanced technologies to develop innovative technical solutions
• Plan, perform, and lead analytical studies, modeling and simulation, laboratory experimentation, field testing, and prototype demonstrations to validate engineering concepts and system performance
• Design, develop, integrate, analyze, and evaluate complex hardware, software, embedded systems, sensors, communications systems, electromechanical systems, or other mission-critical technologies within assigned technical disciplines
• Apply systems engineering principles throughout the project lifecycle, including requirements development, architecture definition, design trade studies, integration, verification, validation, risk management, and configuration management
• Develop experimental plans, test procedures, data collection methodologies, and performance metrics; analyze results to identify technical issues, validate assumptions, and recommend design improvements
• Support development of advanced prototypes and transition technologies from research concepts into operational capabilities for government sponsors
• Prepare technical reports, engineering analyses, research publications, white papers, proposals, briefings, and sponsor deliverables documenting research methods, technical findings, and program status
• Present technical information and research results to sponsors, program managers, technical review boards, and other internal and external stakeholders

Required Skills/Experience

• Working with software-intensive or mission-critical systems
• Ability to analyze software requirements, designs, interfaces, and test results to assess technical risks and system behavior
• Demonstrated systems-thinking and analytical problem-solving skills
• Collaborating with software, systems, test, and engineering teams throughout the development lifecycle
• Strong technical communication and documentation skills, including the ability to present technical information to engineering and customer stakeholders

Preferred Skills/Experience

• Software-intensive or safety-critical systems
• Software safety, software quality assurance, verification and validation, software testing, systems engineering, or system safety
• MIL-STD-882E and the Joint Software Systems Safety Engineering Handbook (JSSSEH)
• Past success supporting hazard analyses, risk assessments, or safety certification activities
• Developing or reviewing software requirements and verification evidence
• Working with government customers and technical review boards
• Past success supporting Navy, DoD, or other mission-critical programs
• Current eligibility for access to classified information at the Secret level or higher and may be subject to a government background investigation to upgrade clearance eligibility, if required

Qualifications

If filled as R&D Engineer - Systems (ARL) - Senior Professional: Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or Science with 14+ years of relevant experience.

If filled as R&D Engineer - Systems (ARL) - Advanced Professional: Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or Science with 5+ years of relevant experience.

Required Certifications: None

Pay

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $121,704.00 - $231,000.00.

Schedule

Your working location will be fully on-site located in State College, PA.

Benefits

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.