Flight Safety Analyst

At Relative Dynamics we value knowledge as a process rather than knowledge as an answer. Founded in 2011, our goal is to define the new space era by continuously pushing the boundaries of engineering, models, services, and technology development. Visit us at www.relativedynamicsinc.com.

Relative Dynamics is a subcontractor supporting the NASA Safety and Mission Assurance Services III (SMAS III) contract at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). In this role, you will be employed by Relative Dynamics and assigned to work on projects in support of SMAS III. We are seeking a highly motivated individual experienced in Guided and Unguided Vehicle Flight Safety Analysis to join the Safety & Mission Assurance Office at Wallops Flight Facility (WFF). This position is located on site at NASA Wallops Flight Facility, Wallops Island, VA.

You will serve as a flight safety analyst for both Guided and Unguided launch vehicles. The work involves coordinating, monitoring, maintaining, and using technological processes in support of safety analysis for aerospace and aeronautical programs from definition to launch and operations.

What You'll Get to Do:

Flight Hazard Identification & Risk Analysis

• Identify flight hazards and controls to mitigate flight hazards in aerospace or aeronautical vehicle tests or operations

• Perform risk studies and prepare risk analyses and flight safety plans that define the safety limits, risk factors, and mission rules for missions, projects, and programs

• Perform casualty expectation and protected area impact probability studies

Mission Compliance & Range User Support

• Analyze mission objectives to assure compliance with Agency and GSFC/WFF Range Flight Safety criteria and advise range users on risk factors as they pertain to the mission

• Adapt analysis methods and approaches to meet the unique requirements of assignments

Advanced Studies & Technical Analysis

• Work with senior analysts to conduct conceptual definition studies and complex detailed analysis to establish preliminary designs and alternatives for advanced systems on proposed new projects for which no precedents are available

• Perform theoretical, aerodynamic studies to evaluate factors (performance, stability, trajectory, etc.) that affect flight safety

• Calculate flight safety limits for orbital guided launch vehicles and analyze post-flight data to confirm or deduce violations of limits or variations in predicted performance

• Evaluate Failure Modes and Effects and Fault Tree Analysis

Technical Briefings & Reporting

• Integrate study and analysis results into comprehensive technical briefings and reports to review panels and senior management to ensure that mission risks are understood

Required Skills & Background

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Mathematics.

• A minimum of 5+ years of experience in both orbital and sub-orbital vehicle risk analysis.

• Excellent oral communication and technical writing skills.

• Excellent mathematics skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing software code and programs.

• Experience with Trajectory Analysis and Optimization Software (TAOS) and MATLAB.

• Experience with Range Safety Risk Analysis Tools and other software tools used to perform flight risk analysis.

• Prior work with government ranges (e.g., NASA Wallops Island, Eastern Range, Western Range).

Who You Are:

• A self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced environment

• A quick learner who is always ready to gain depth of knowledge

• A reliable worker who knows the importance of showing up when it counts

• Accept assignments with open, cooperative, positive, and team-oriented attitudes

• Able to plan and execute plans across teams

• Effective communicator, both written and verbal

What You'll Enjoy:

• Competitive wage and benefits package

• Medical, dental, vision, and life/disability insurance

• Vacation and paid holidays

• Tuition reimbursement

• 401k with company match

• Employee referral program

• Community involvement, investing and giving back to the community

Relative Dynamics conducts a comprehensive background check that includes drug testing. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability status.