System Safety Engineer Jobs in California
System Safety Engineer jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in aerospace and defense, rail and transit, medical devices, and autonomous vehicle development, with demand at every level from early-career to principal engineer. The largest hiring metros are Los Angeles, San Diego, and the San Francisco Bay Area, where established employers such as Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, and BART are long-standing anchors. The most in-demand specialties include MIL-STD-882 compliant systems analysis, functional safety for automotive and medical platforms, and hazard analysis for defense programs. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find System Safety Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 25+ System Safety Engineer jobs











TYTON seeks a highly talented Systems Safety Engineer to help the Space Force redefine the future of National Security Space Launch (NSSL). This position is based out El Segundo, CA and is a hybrid role.
DUTIES & DESCRIPTION:
- Evaluate and update the System Safety documentation (e.g. System Safety Management Plan (SSMP) and Programmatic Environmental Safety and Health Evaluations (PESHE)) IAW National Security Space Acquisition Policy Interim Guidance for DoD Space System Acquisition Process, and AFI 91-202 AFSPCSUP1, and determine compliance with applicable DoD and AF requirements.
- Draft and coordinate the approval of orbital safety products for all NSS launches including Space Debris Assessment Reports (SDARs) and Orbital Debris Mitigation Standard Practices (ODMSP) related documentation (example, Notice of Deviation or Exception to Policy) packages. For SDARs, obtain and assimilate analysis and other information from necessary sources (e.g. the Aerospace Corporation, the Launch Service Provider, Government Mission Integration Manager, etc.) to determine space debris compliance. Then draft and staff (including internal and external review, comments resolution, and signature approvals) the SDAR for all NSSL missions.
- Debris Characterization (DC) support – Assist the DC project manager with coordination, facilitation, organization of the DC Program Team which arranges for imaging and airborne assets to collect detailed data for each launch, to support root cause determination in case of a catastrophic mishap
- General system safety tasks – interpretation of requirements, assessment of contractor safety submittals
- Develop and present technical summary reports, status reports, and other presentation materials as required by the customer
- Interface with technical representatives to include other Assures Access to Space functional areas, Range Safety, New Entrant, FFRDC (The Aerospace Corporation), Launch Service Providers, and other Government agencies
- Mishap Control Center (MCC) Support – Prepare documentation, checklists and other materials for Day-of-Launch MCC operations, and conduct the MCC operations
- Assess the Launch Service Provider’s hazard analyses to verify all hazards are properly identified, assessed and mitigated to acceptable levels
- Assess and report on open launch and range safety items and provide written recommendations for disposition of the open items.
- Provide reviews, evaluation and assessments of system hazard analyses, systems safety management plans, anomalies, and compliance with industry standards.
- Other Duties as Assigned
REQUIREMENTS:
- BA/BS degree in engineering or STEM field, will consider higher education in lieu of experience and more experience in lieu of education.
- Min Experience: 3 years of experience in relevant fields associated with space systems, preferably national security space launch
- Relevant work experience in the military or industry will be considered in lieu of degree requirements
- Experience interfacing with computer-based database and schedule tools
- Experience with MS Office tools such as Outlook, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint as well as Adobe Acrobat is required. Experience with JIRA/Confluence is a plus.
- Some CONUS travel Required
- US Citizenship Required
DESIRED:
- Experience with DOD and Air Force system safety related documents such as AFI 91-202, MIL-STD-882E, AFSPCMAN 91-710 requirements.
- Experience applying system safety requirements and best practices to space and launch systems, ground site activities, or launch operations.
- Experience with Environmental Compliance / NEPA
- Excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to present information in virtual and in-person environments.
CLEARANCE: Must have or be able to obtain and maintain an active and transferrable DoD security clearance with current investigation at the Secret level.
Physical:
- Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50%.
- Needs to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
- Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine and computer printer.
- Frequently communicates with co-workers, management and customers, which may involve delivering presentations. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $85,000.00 - $125,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible schedule
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Professional development assistance
- Referral program
- Relocation assistance
- Retirement plan
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Experience:
- related fields associated with space systems: 3 years (Preferred)
Ability to Commute:
- El Segundo, CA 90245 (Required)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in El Segundo, CA 90245
See All 25 System Safety Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find System Safety Engineer JobsSystem Safety Engineer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
System Safety Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Aerospace & Defense
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in system safety engineer jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in systems engineering, electrical engineering, or a closely related technical field
- Proficiency in MIL-STD-882 or IEC 61508 safety analysis standards and methodology
- Experience conducting hazard analyses including FMEA, FTA, and preliminary hazard assessments
- Familiarity with California-based defense or aerospace program documentation and configuration control
- Professional Engineer licensure through the California Board for Professional Engineers is strongly preferred
- Experience supporting safety case development for FAA, FRA, FDA, or DoD regulatory submissions
System Safety Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a system safety engineer in California?
Start with a bachelor's degree in systems, mechanical, electrical, or aerospace engineering from an ABET-accredited program. California employers widely respect the Professional Engineer credential issued by the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists, which requires passing the Fundamentals of Engineering and Principles and Practice exams. Pairing that credential with hands-on safety analysis experience on defense, transit, or medical device programs is the most reliable path to mid-level and senior roles in the state.
How much do system safety engineers make in California?
System safety engineers in California earn a median of about $131,540 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $83,210 for the lowest 10% to over $175,940 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire system safety engineers in California?
Employers hiring system safety engineers in California right now include Anduril, Northrop Grumman, and Raytheon, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's dense concentration of defense primes, transit agencies, and medical device manufacturers makes it one of the deepest markets for this role in the nation.
Which California cities have the most system safety engineer jobs?
El Segundo, Costa Mesa, and San Diego currently post the most system safety engineer openings in California. Los Angeles and San Diego lead because of the region's deep aerospace and defense contractor base, while the Bay Area draws openings from autonomous vehicle programs, rail transit authorities, and medical device firms concentrated in Silicon Valley and the East Bay.
Are there remote system safety engineer jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. Safety engineering often requires access to hardware, test environments, and program documentation under controlled conditions, which limits full-time remote work. About 40% of system safety engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026. The tasks most often performed remotely are documentation review, hazard analysis modeling, and safety case writing rather than hands-on verification or test witnessing.
How can I get hired as a system safety engineer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a systems or safety engineering internship with a California aerospace or defense contractor, where companies such as Northrop Grumman and Raytheon run structured early-career and new-graduate programs at their Southern California facilities. Adjacent roles in quality assurance, reliability engineering, or systems verification are common lateral moves that provide the analytical foundations California hiring managers look for. Earning the Associate Safety Professional credential from the Board of Certified Safety Professionals gives early-career candidates a measurable edge while they build program hours.
Where can I find and apply to system safety engineer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to system safety engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search the listings, find roles that match your background and target location, and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 25 System Safety Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find System Safety Engineer Jobs