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Principal System Safety Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Raytheon

Principal System Safety Engineer

Aurora, CO

As a Principal System Safety Engineer, you will be accountable for the establishment and execution of the major safety programs. The Safety Lead is a technical expert in missile safety as well as a ...

AVTC Group

Principal System Safety Engineer

Mckinney, TX · On-site

$90 - $110/hr

Principal System Safety Engineer • Analysis of engineering hardware and electrical drawings and schematics assessing for fault tolerance, latent hazards, and safety requirements compliance • ...

AVTC Group

Principal System Safety Engineer

Tucson, AZ · On-site

System Safety Engineering, Systems Engineering, Software or Firmware Engineering, Electrical Engineering or equivalent Safety Engineering. • Active Secret security clearance is required. Pluses ...

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Principal System Safety Engineer information

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$21K

$149.2K

$224.5K

How much do principal system safety engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal system safety engineer in the United States is $149,214.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $120,000.00 and $175,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Principal System Safety Engineer vs System Safety Engineer?

AspectPrincipal System Safety EngineerSystem Safety Engineer
CredentialsTypically requires advanced certifications like CSEP, PE, or equivalentOften requires similar certifications but may be at an entry or mid-level
Work EnvironmentLeads safety programs, manages teams, and influences safety policiesPerforms safety analyses, supports safety assessments, and implements safety measures
Industry UsageUsed across aerospace, defense, and complex engineering sectorsCommonly found in similar industries, supporting safety compliance

The Principal System Safety Engineer typically holds a higher level of responsibility, overseeing safety programs and leading teams, while the System Safety Engineer focuses on executing safety analyses and supporting safety initiatives. Both roles require relevant certifications and are integral to safety in engineering projects, but the principal role involves more strategic leadership.

What are Principal System Safety Engineers?

Principal System Safety Engineers are senior professionals responsible for overseeing and managing safety activities in complex engineering projects, ensuring that all systems meet regulatory and organizational safety standards. They lead safety analyses, risk assessments, and the development of safety requirements throughout a system’s lifecycle. Their role often includes collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, mentoring junior engineers, and providing technical guidance on safety processes. These engineers play a critical part in industries like aerospace, defense, automotive, and rail, where the safety of systems is paramount.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Principal System Safety Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Principal System Safety Engineer, you need deep expertise in system safety engineering principles, risk assessment methodologies, and a relevant engineering degree, often supported by certifications like Certified Safety Professional (CSP) or equivalent. Familiarity with safety analysis tools (such as FMEA, Fault Tree Analysis), safety standards (like MIL-STD-882 or IEC 61508), and requirements management systems is crucial. Strong leadership, analytical thinking, and clear communication skills enable effective collaboration across multidisciplinary teams and with stakeholders. These competencies ensure the identification, management, and mitigation of safety risks throughout complex system lifecycles, safeguarding both end users and organizational objectives.

How does a Principal System Safety Engineer typically collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure project safety standards are met?

A Principal System Safety Engineer regularly works alongside design, testing, and operations teams to integrate safety considerations throughout the project lifecycle. This involves leading hazard analyses, facilitating safety reviews, and ensuring that all identified risks are addressed in design and operational procedures. The role also includes mentoring junior engineers and communicating complex safety requirements to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Effective collaboration ensures that safety standards are met without compromising project timelines or innovation.
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Principal System Safety Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal System Safety Engineer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 68% Full Time, 28% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $149,214 per year, or $71.7 per hour.
System Safety Engineer/ Principal System Safety Engineer

System Safety Engineer/ Principal System Safety Engineer

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Melbourne, FL

$98K - $147K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, PTO

Posted 12 days ago

Northrop Grumman rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 337 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

104th of 516 rated manufacturers

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be availableCLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: YesCLEARANCE TYPE: SecretTRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescriptionAt Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.

Please note that this opportunity is contingent on program funding. Start dates are determined after funding confirmation.

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for a System Safety Engineer/ Principal System Safety Engineer to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals. The position will be located in Melbourne, Florida.

The successful candidate will be collaborative, open, transparent, and team-oriented with a focus on team empowerment & shared responsibility, flexibility, continuous learning, work product ownership, and a culture of automation.

Essential Responsibilities:

Applies knowledge, methodologies, and principles of safety engineering as defined in MIL-STD-882 and software safety engineering as outlined in the Joint Software System Safety Engineering Handbook (JSSSEH).

Evaluates complex aviation systems and software designs, design requirements, support equipment, facilities, and operations to identify hazards and respective causal factors, categorize risk, establish safety requirements for assigned systems, and determine mitigating controls to reduce risk.

Independently analyzes and recommends safety criteria in system design, equipment, and procedures to control or eliminate hazards.

Collaborates with various design teams in the execution of various MIL-STD-882E hazard analyses.

Reviews and prepares engineering and technical analyses, reports, change proposals, and other technical documentation for system safety and in support of Airworthiness Certification IAW MIL-HDBK-516.

Reviews Test Plans and Procedures for safety requirements verification and potential hazardous operations.

Perform safety analyses in accordance with MIL-STD-882

Basic Qualifications:

  • System Safety Engineer: Bachelor of science degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) discipline with 2 years of military/professional experience OR Master of science Degree in a STEM discipline
  • Principal System Safety Engineer: Bachelor of science degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) discipline with 5 years of military/professional experience OR Master of science Degree in a STEM discipline with 3 years of military/professional experience OR a PhD in a STEM discipline with 1 year of military/professional experience.
  • Your ability to transfer and maintain the final adjudicated government Secret clearance (DoD must be in-scope or enrolled in Continuous Evaluation) and any program access(es) required for the position within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the Company.
  • Experience in military/civil system and software safety process (MIL-STD-882E, ARP4671) and related civil assurance processes (DO-178C/DO-254) or similar industry standards.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience with requirements tools such as DOORS, Cameo, CPLM, Safety and Reliability tools such as PTC Windchill Quality Solutions, Agile software tools, JIRA, FISHEYE and/or Confluence
  • Working knowledge of Military systems safety and process standards and their Industry equivalent such as: MIL-STD-882, DO-178B/C, DO-248, DO-254, ARP-4754, ARP-4761, MIL-HDBK-516C, etc.
  • Working knowledge of flight test engineering, Software systems integration engineering, and software test engineering
  • System Safety Experience
  • Experience in military aviation
  • Experience in Hardware/Software Integration

#AS-FA3

Primary Level Salary Range: $79,300.00 - $118,900.00Secondary Level Salary Range: $98,400.00 - $147,600.00The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

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About Northrop Grumman

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible.

Industry

Space research administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Falls Church, VA, US

Year founded

1939

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