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Safety Engineering Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Archer

Safety Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$104K - $135K/yr

Document safety protocols, create reports, and provide training to engineering and operations teams What you need * Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, or Safety ...

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Safety Engineering information

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$67.8K

$131.8K

How much do safety engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for safety engineering in California is $67,753.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $45,900.00 and $88,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a safety engineering do?

A safety engineer develops and implements safety protocols to prevent accidents and ensure compliance with safety regulations in workplaces. They conduct risk assessments, investigate incidents, and often use tools like safety management systems and certifications such as OSHA or NEBOSH. Their goal is to create a safe environment for employees and reduce hazards.

What is safety engineering?

Safety engineering is a field that focuses on identifying, evaluating, and mitigating risks to prevent accidents, injuries, and other hazards in various environments such as workplaces, manufacturing plants, and public spaces. Safety engineers design systems, processes, and protocols to ensure that equipment and practices comply with safety regulations and standards. Their work often involves conducting risk assessments, investigating incidents, and recommending improvements to enhance safety and minimize liability. The ultimate goal of safety engineering is to protect people, property, and the environment from harm.

What are some typical challenges safety engineers face when implementing new safety protocols in an organization?

Safety Engineers often encounter resistance to change when introducing new safety protocols, as employees may be accustomed to existing procedures or unsure about the benefits of new measures. Communicating the importance of safety, conducting thorough training, and involving team members in the process can help overcome these challenges. Additionally, Safety Engineers must balance regulatory compliance with practical, cost-effective solutions, often working closely with operations, maintenance, and management teams to ensure buy-in and successful implementation.

What is the difference between Safety Engineering vs Safety Technician?

AspectSafety EngineeringSafety Technician
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in safety, engineering, or related field; professional certifications (e.g., CSP)Associate's or bachelor's degree; safety certifications (e.g., OSHA 30-hour)
Work EnvironmentDesigning safety protocols, analyzing risks, developing safety systems in industrial or construction settingsImplementing safety procedures, conducting inspections, assisting in safety training
Employer & Industry UsageManufacturing, construction, oil & gas, chemical plantsManufacturing plants, construction sites, warehouses

Safety Engineering involves designing and analyzing safety systems and protocols, often requiring advanced education and certifications. Safety Technicians focus on implementing safety procedures, conducting inspections, and supporting safety programs. Both roles are vital in maintaining workplace safety but differ in scope, responsibilities, and qualifications.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a safety engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Safety Engineer, you need a solid background in engineering principles, risk assessment, and regulatory compliance, typically supported by a degree in engineering or safety management. Familiarity with safety management systems (such as OSHA standards), incident investigation tools, and certifications like CSP (Certified Safety Professional) or NEBOSH are commonly required. Strong analytical thinking, effective communication, and attention to detail help Safety Engineers proactively identify hazards and foster a culture of safety. These skills and qualifications are crucial for preventing workplace accidents, ensuring regulatory compliance, and maintaining safe working environments.

Are safety engineers in demand?

Safety engineering is a growing field with strong demand across industries such as manufacturing, construction, and energy. Employers seek professionals with knowledge of safety regulations, risk assessment, and certifications like CSP or OSHA training to help prevent workplace accidents and ensure compliance.
What cities in California are hiring for Safety Engineering jobs? Cities in California with the most Safety Engineering job openings:
Safety Engineering jobs near you
Infographic showing various Safety Engineering job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 2% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $67,753 per year, or $32.6 per hour.

Manager, Missiles System Safety Engineering

Anduril Industries

Costa Mesa, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 6 days ago

Anduril rating

9.1

Company rating: 9.1 out of 10

Anduril

Based on 17 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

7.4

Company rating compared to similar companies: 7.4 out of 10

Manufacturers average

Based on 75,163 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

ABOUT THE TEAM
Anduril's System Safety Engineering organization partners across Anduril's engineering, manufacturing, and operations organizations to ensure our autonomous systems are safe for development, testing, and deployment in complex operational environments. Our mandate spans the complete product lifecycle, from early concept design through production scale-up and fielded operations. We make our products safe by guiding product teams through safety analyses such as: Functional Hazard Analysis, Fault Trees, Hazard Management and Hazard Mitigation activities, identifying hazards early and partnering with design teams to engineer safety into hardware, software, and operations.
ABOUT THE JOB
We are seeking an experienced System Safety Engineering leader to join our rapidly growing team at Costa Mesa, CA to drive system safety excellence for our Missiles programs. As a System Safety leader at Anduril, you will play a critical role in developing and implementing robust safety frameworks across our missiles product portfolio. Your expertise will be instrumental in guiding product teams through the System Safety lifecycle, from initial concept through qualification, production, and field deployment. You will drive continuous improvement initiatives, lead the development of risk mitigation strategies, and foster a safety culture across the organization. Leveraging your deep knowledge of system safety tools (FHA, FTA, SCFTA, SSA, FMECA, etc.) and hazard analysis methodologies, you will ensure that our systems operate safely under diverse and demanding operating conditions

WHAT YOU'LL DO
  • Lead and manage the performance of a team of System Safety Engineers, providing technical guidance and mentorship on system safety principles, best practices, and artifact development.
  • Manage resource allocation and capacity planning to support multiple concurrent programs, and drive recruiting efforts to maintain growth trajectory.
  • Conduct performance management, career development planning, and succession planning.
  • Develop and implement tailored System Safety program plans aligned with MIL-STD-882E and the needs of Anduril and its customers.
  • Define and communicate the System Safety organization's vision, goals, and framework to standardize development efforts across the business and integrate safety processes across all stages of product development.
  • Oversee and review complex safety analyses, including FHA (Functional Hazard Analysis), Fault Tree, SCFTA (Safety Critical Functional Thread Analysis), and SAR (Safety Assessment Report).
  • Develop system safety requirements and collaborate with design teams to implement safety solutions.
  • Support Milestone Reviews such as PDR, CDR, and TRR representing System Safety.
  • Liaise with customers, regulatory bodies, and internal stakeholders on safety-related matters.
  • Drive continuous improvement in System Safety processes and methodologies.
  • Ensure compliance with relevant military and industry safety standards.
  • Contribute to proposal efforts and support business development activities, as required.
  • Provide management-level reporting and communications on team performance, program status, and strategic initiatives.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • B.S. Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, or equivalent technical discipline
  • 7+ years of experience in System Safety Engineering, with at least 1 years in a leadership role
  • Proven track record building, scaling, and managing technical teams of 5+ engineers for complex advanced programs
  • Strong background in safety analysis techniques, including FTA, FHA, SCFTA, and FMECA.
  • Extensive knowledge of MIL-STD-882E, JSSSEH or other relevant safety standards.
  • Experience with safety-critical hardware and software systems in the defense or aerospace industry, with a preference for Missiles, Interceptors, or Weapon Systems
  • Experience setting up a System Safety Engineering framework for a product or program, including early stage Design for Safety and Hazard Analysis experience
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with ability to influence cross-functionally at all levels
  • Strategic thinking with ability to balance hands-on technical work with management responsibilities
  • Eligibility to pursue and maintain a U.S. security clearance, as required
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • M.S. Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, or equivalent technical discipline
  • 10+ years of experience in System Safety Engineering, with at least 3 years in a leadership role.
  • Experience managing teams through periods of rapid growth (2x+ team expansion)
  • Track record of developing talent and promoting team members into leadership roles
  • Experience or familiarity with ISO 26262, ARP-4754, ARP-4761, and MIL-STD-516C
  • Experience with software safety, software assurance, or Level of Rigor for safety-critical software systems
  • Executive-level communications, reporting, and roadmap presentation experience
  • Technical writing experience developing standards, specifications, user guides, and policies
  • Experience with Relyence, Teamcenter, Confluence, JAMA, Cameo, and JIRA
  • Experience drafting requirements for software and hardware systems
  • Active U.S. security clearance

Working at Anduril

About Anduril, in their own words

From Anduril

As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril delivers cutting-edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the warfighter in months, not years.

What Anduril employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Anduril Industries logo

About Anduril Industries

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Anduril Industries is a trailblazer in the technology industry based in Costa Mesa, CA, US. Founded in 2017 by Palmer Luckey, the creator of Oculus VR, the company focuses on developing innovative technology to equip and empower those in the defense sector. Its primary products include cutting-edge autonomous systems and AI software that assist in combating threats to national and global security. The mission of Anduril Industries is to integrate technology and defense by building transformative, scalable solutions that ensure a safer world.

Industry

Guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing

Company size

501 - 1,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Costa Mesa, CA, US

Year founded

2017

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