Automation Systems Workstream Safety Lead

Join Peraton in advancing the safety, efficiency, and modernization of the National Airspace System (NAS) through the FAA’s Brand New Air Traffic Control System (BNATCS) contract. As a trusted partner to the Federal Aviation Administration, Peraton helps deliver the systems and services that keep our nation’s skies safe and connected.

We’re looking for innovative professionals who thrive in mission-critical environments and are passionate about shaping the future of air traffic management. This is your chance to make an impact on one of the world’s most vital transportation infrastructures, working alongside leaders in aviation, engineering, data science, and systems integration.

At Peraton, you won’t just support the mission — you’ll define it.

Join a team dedicated to protecting the safety and integrity of U.S. air travel. Peraton is seeking an Automation Systems Workstream Safety Lead to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals. The ideal candidate will provide technical safety oversight and risk management for FAA automation modernization initiatives. In this role, you will lead safety analyses, compliance reviews, and hazard mitigation planning for automation systems deployed across the National Airspace System (NAS). Whether you’re supporting safety validation efforts or leading teams on major FAA programs, your work will directly impact the millions of passengers and aviation professionals who rely on safe, efficient airspace operations every day. 

In this position, you will:

• Ensure that automation technologies including air traffic management, decision-support tools, and integrated systems meet the FAA’s stringent safety, resiliency, and regulatory standards.Lead safety risk management for automation systems within FAA modernization programs.
• Conduct hazard analyses, failure mode assessments, and system safety cases.
• Ensure compliance with FAA Safety Management System (SMS), OSHA, and federal safety requirements.
• Provide safety input during design reviews, integration planning, and deployment readiness assessments.
• Collaborate with engineers, program managers, and contractors to embed safety-by-design principles.
• Support verification and validation (V&V) activities, ensuring automation systems meet safety requirements.
• Conduct incident investigations, root cause analyses, and corrective action planning for automation systems.
• Prepare and maintain safety documentation, risk registers, and compliance reports.
• Deliver safety briefings and recommendations to FAA leadership and program stakeholders.
• Mentor junior engineers and safety analysts in FAA safety standards and methodologies.
• Experience conducting safety audits, inspections, and readiness assessments.
• Ability to align safety efforts with interoperability, cybersecurity, and resiliency requirements.
• Strong analytical and reporting skills to prepare audit-ready safety documentation.

Why This Role Matters

As aviation and federal programs evolve, any weakness in underlying infrastructure can impact operations and service delivery on a national scale. As the Automation Systems Workstream Safety Lead, you will ensure that automation systems are designed, deployed, and operated with safety first. Your oversight will directly protect air traffic controllers, pilots, and the traveling public, helping the FAA maintain its global reputation for aviation safety while enabling innovation and efficiency.

Basic Qualifications:

• U.S. Citizenship Required.
• Must have the ability to obtain / maintain a Public Trust clearance. 
• Bachelor’s degree and 8 years of experience or Masters degree and 6 years or Associate’s degree and 10 years experience or HS diploma/equivalent and 12 years experience. 
• Experience in system safety engineering, preferably within aviation, automation, or federal programs.
• Strong knowledge of safety analysis methodologies (FMEA, FTA, hazard log management).
• Familiarity with automation systems in aviation or aerospace environments.
• Experience supporting federal compliance standards (NIST RMF, FISMA, FAA AMS).
• Familiarity with automation system integration challenges across distributed environments.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience supporting FAA NextGen modernization programs or NAS-related initiatives.
• Experience supporting federal agencies, preferably FAA, DOT, DHS, or DoD.
• Professional certifications such as CSP (Certified Safety Professional), CSEP, or PE (Professional Engineer).
• Experience supporting FAA NextGen automation programs or NAS modernization efforts.
• Familiarity with air traffic control systems, automation platforms, or decision-support tools.
• Background in international aviation safety standards (ICAO, EUROCONTROL, ISO 26262).
• Experience developing automated tools for safety monitoring and reporting.
• Proven experience applying FAA SMS principles and federal safety frameworks.

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