Flight Safety Engineer

Parque Industrial de Elche (Poligono Industrial), Spain

About PLD:

Founded in 2011, PLD Space is a high-tech engineering, manufacturing and service-driven company, with deep track record and expertise in space launch technologies.

We are a trusted global championing industry leader disrupting the pathway to space access. We are on a mission to reach new heights by making space more accessible, supporting missions that will make us smarter, safer and wealthier.

Our purpose is to propel new futures, to enable progress from space and enrich peoples’ lives on Earth, by moving new economies, people and world forward.


Mission

As a Flight Safety Engineer at PLD Space, your mission is to ensure the safe and reliable operation of our launchers missions by implementing and managing robust flight safety practices. You will play a critical role in develop flight safety requirements and mission rules across global launch sites. 

Responsibilities

  • Develop flight safety analysis of the MIURA 5 launch vehicle in all  phases of the flight. 
  • Perform hazard analysis, including fragmentation models for vehicle breakup and explosions both on ground and in-flight.  
  • Perform dispersion analysis for debris. 
  • Study blast environment and debris footprint 
  • Study other onboard failures modes that may generate in-flight hazards and propose mitigation measures. 
  • Perform FMECA (Failure modes, Effects and Criticality Analysis) at system level. 
  • Ensure compliance with industry regulations and best practices for flight safety studies, in particular FAA and RCC (US), LOS, RT and FSOA (FR) regulations. 
  • Collaborate with engineering teams to incorporate flight safety requirements into the design, development, and testing of MIURA 5 launch vehicle. 
  • Participate, and conduct safety reviews and audits to assess compliance with safety standards and regulations and provide recommendations for improvement. 
  • Participate in the investigation and analysis of safety incidents and near misses, identifying root causes and implementing corrective actions. 
  • Collaborate with external stakeholders, including regulatory authorities and industry partners, to ensure compliance with safety regulations and standards. 
  • Lead analysis and support the development of documentation to meet requirements on a per-launch basis. 
  • Lead, manage, and support meetings with Launch Sites, Range Safety, and Government agencies (INTA, AAE, CNES, CSG...) 
  • Work with PLD Space's internal teams to assess and modify trajectories as informed by analysis. 
  • Foster a culture of safety awareness and continuous improvement within the organization, promoting a proactive approach to identifying and managing flight safety risks. 
  • Generate documentation, including user guides, guidelines and user manuals for internal customers use. 
  • Generate documentation for formal program development reviews.


Necessary Requirements

  • Aerospace Engineering bachelor’s degree or demonstrable relevant experience in lieu thereof. Advanced degree preferred. 
  • > 5 years of relevant technical experience. 
  • Solid understanding of flight safety principles, regulations, and industry standards. 
  • Knowledge of safety analysis techniques, such as fault tree analysis, hazard analysis, and risk assessment. 
  • Familiarity with aerospace systems, launch operations, and spacecraft missions. 
  • Understanding of safety management systems and their application in the aerospace industry. 
  • Proficiency in using safety assessment tools and software.


Desired Requirements

  • Familiarity with fragmentation models on ground and in-flight, dispersion and impact analysis, blast environment models for explosions on ground. 
  • Familiarity with launch range safety regulations and practices. 
  • Knowledge of safety-related regulations, such as REI, RT, FSOA. 
  • Analytical and critical thinking skills to assess complex flight safety risks and propose effective mitigation measures. 
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate with cross-functional teams and external stakeholders. 
  • Attention to detail and accuracy in safety assessments, documentation, and reporting. 
  • Strong problem-solving skills to investigate safety incidents and identify root causes. 
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple tasks and priorities effectively. 
  • Strong organizational and time management skills to meet project deadlines and milestones. 
  • Adherence to ethical standards and commitment to maintaining confidentiality in sensitive safety matters.  
  • English B2-C1.

Desired Competencies

  • Experience in flight safety engineering within the aerospace industry. 
  • Experience with safety management software and tools. 
  • Certification in flight safety or related fields. 
  • French B2-C1. 


Benefits

Health & Wellness: We want you to be happy and healthy in body and mind.  We encourage you to have regular physiotherapy sessions at our facilities so that you can continue with your physical activities. 

We offer partial coverage of your medical scheme covering you, your spouse or partner, and your children. 

 

Boost your creativity: Focus. Energy. Yummy snacks and those fizzy waters you love. It takes a lot to be creative all day, but we’ve got you covered. Eat local, sustainable, delectable fare at our cafes, and plunder our pantries for fresh fruit and other goodies whenever you need a boost. 

 

Engineering by doing: We encourage hands-on learning and foster internal mobility and team collaboration, with one-third of positions filled by current employees and one in five people promoted each year. 

 

Find balance: PLD Space offers 23 days of annual leave, 6 global wellbeing days, and public holidays. We prioritize worklife balance with flexible schedules, empowering teams to manage their own hours. We work hard here, so we encourage taking breaks to recharge, ensuring a healthy work environment. 

 

Never stop learning: At PLD Space, education and professional development is a priority. We offer extensive learning opportunities, from conferences and webinars to higher education programs and technical certifications. We encourage hands-on learning and foster internal mobility and team collaboration, with one-third of positions filled by current employees and one in five people promoted each year. 


Focus on your financial future: Flexible remuneration plan lets you allocate part of your salary to everyday expenses like lunch, nursery school or public transport, which are exempt from Personal Income Tax (IRPF) when paid through this system. 


Values

We have four critical beliefs that guide the way PLD Space is shaping the future of space launch technologies. 

  • Teamwork. 
  • Hard work. 
  • Dynamism. 
  • Commitment. 
  • Keep it simple. 

Become part of our movement, enabling you to make change happen in your career and, above all, your life.