Range Safety Engineer
What you'd do
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Major duties
The United States Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) Space Launch Delta 45 (SLD 45) Safety Engineering Analysis Launch (SEAL) (vehicle and ground systems) at Patrick Space Force Base, Florida is searching for a Range Safety Engineer (NH-0803-03, GS 12/13 equivalent). Description: As a critical technical authority within the Space Launch Delta safety infrastructure, the Range Safety Engineer acts as the primary Point of Contact (POC) for assigned programs-including launch vehicles, Flight Termination Systems (FTS), payloads, ground support equipment, and facility operations-while directly coordinating comprehensive safety activities such as technical interchange meetings, program introductions, statement of capability evaluations, procedural reviews, incident resolutions, and FAA/AST coordination. Serving as a Subject Matter Expert (SME), this engineer operates as the Program Lead Systems Safety Engineer to oversee end-to-end system safety, tailor complex AFSPCMAN 91-710 Range Safety User Requirements, and evaluate non-compliances to determine the operational boundaries of deviations or waivers. Maintaining high-level technical expertise in critical fields-ranging from high-pressure systems and composite overwrapped pressure vessels (COPVs) to ordnance, toxic propellant diffusion modeling, explosive overpressure modeling, and lightning protection-the engineer cross-functionally leads multi-program safety initiatives and actively identifies when to leverage specialized engineering equivalents to guarantee the uncompromised safety of national security space launch operations. The ideal candidate for this critical national security role possesses a Bachelor of Science degree in an engineering field or related science and must possess the immediate capability to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance. They demonstrate a comprehensive, working knowledge of health, safety, and environmental mandates outlined in SPFCMAN 91-710 Range Safety User Requirements, alongside a deep operational familiarity with Eastern Range launch vehicles, Flight Termination Systems (FTS), payloads, ground support equipment, facilities, and their corresponding organizational and contractual frameworks. Crucially, the candidate exhibits an exceptional level of professional judgment, resourcefulness, and technical originality, proving themselves uniquely capable of anticipating, navigating, and adapting range safety operations to the rapid pace of changing aerospace technology and administrative processes. Key Skills and Abilities: 1. Professional knowledge of multidiscipline engineering concepts, principles, consensus standards, and practices. 2. Knowledge of engineering standards, methods, practices, and techniques, materials, and equipment to determine compliance with federal, state, and local codes and regulations. 3. Knowledge of health, safety, and environmental requirements as outlined in SPFCMAN 91-710 (formerly AFSPCMAN or EWR 127-1) and other applicable standards, regulations, and/or technical orders. 4. Knowledge of risk management techniques and cost-benefit analyses. 5. Skill in determining and negotiating acceptable resolutions to complex engineering problems which require considerations of safety, cost, and schedule. 6. Skill in operating a computer and common applications, and learning new applications and systems. 7. Ability to analyze, interpret, and apply rules, regulations, and procedures in a variety of situations and recommend timely and economical solutions. 8. Ability to plan and organize programs and coordinate with other engineering disciplines, other personnel, and organizations as required. 9. Ability to communicate effectively by speech, in writing, and in the virtual environment, maintaining good working relationships. 10. Knowledge of Eastern Range launch vehicles, flight termination systems, payloads, ground support equipment, facilities, organizations, and contracts.
What you need to qualify
The 0803 series has an individual occupational requirement that must be met and can be viewed here. In addition to the above requirements you can view the experience level requirements here. Please scroll down to the 4th section titled Professional and Scientific Positions.
Before you apply
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