Location: Hybrid (Washington, DC metropolitan area preferred); travel up to four weeks at a time to FAA field facilities for assessment activities, including possible night and weekend shifts
Employment Type: Full-Time
About AKIVA
AKIVA is an AI-native engineering firm specializing in enterprise services, domain-specific solutions, and high-performance infrastructure from strategy through deployment. We build innovative systems that drive measurable results for commercial enterprises and government agencies. AKIVA is a certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB).
Position Overview
AKIVA is seeking a senior engineer with active or recent pilot experience to support Safety Management System (SMS) and Independent Operational Assessment (IOA) workstreams for the FAA Air Traffic Organization. You will bring flight deck and operational perspective to Safety Risk Management panels, IOA planning and execution, and policy and training updates. The role suits a senior engineer who is also a current or recent pilot (commercial, ATP, or military) and can translate cockpit-level insight into safety analyses and acquisition assessments.
Key Responsibilities
· Provide subject matter expertise on Safety Risk Management documentation associated with FAA acquisition programs; review and submit comments to the program office for review and approval
· Review and compile comments on national change Safety Risk Management documents
· Facilitate Safety Risk Management Panels with advanced working knowledge of SRM and Safety Assurance principles, providing recommendations on current and proposed National Airspace System systems, equipment, and operational safety issues
· Prepare SRM document review checklists and execute data mining for SRM document reviews and panel preparations
· Collect and analyze data from safety-related sources (occurrence reports, quality control data, operational data) and draft monthly and quarterly Safety Performance Monitoring Reports
· Provide technical input and prepare draft IOA Implementation Strategy and Planning Documents, IOA designation documents, IOA Program Management Plans, IOA plans, IOA procedures, and IOA reports
· Provide strategy and planning input for IOA programs, including scope considerations and resource estimates
· Collect and analyze IOA data, organize data in databases, identify potential safety and operational risks, and produce reports and graphics
· Document IOA team discussions and provide technical expertise on Air Traffic and Technical Operations processes and procedures
· Ensure all deliverables are Section 508 compliant
Required Qualifications
· Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Aviation, Aerospace, or a related field (equivalent experience may be substituted)
· 8+ years of professional engineering or aviation operations experience
· Active or recent pilot certificate (Commercial, Airline Transport Pilot, or military equivalent)
· 5+ years performing or supporting Safety Risk Management, system safety, or operational assessments
· Demonstrated experience producing federal-grade technical documentation, including SRM checklists, IOA plans, briefings, and reports
· Strong analytical, problem-solving, and executive-level business-writing skills
· Ability and willingness to travel up to four weeks at a time, including possible night and weekend shifts at FAA field facilities
· Ability to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) credential
· Must be authorized to work in the United States
Preferred Qualifications
· Master's degree in Engineering, Aerospace, Aviation, or related discipline
· Type ratings or instructor ratings on transport-category aircraft
· Prior FAA, military aviation, or major commercial carrier safety/standards experience
· Familiarity with FAA SMS, Safety Risk Management Guidance for System Acquisitions, and the In-Service Decision (ISD) process
· Familiarity with FAA Order 8040.6A (Unmanned Aircraft Systems Safety Risk Management Policy)
· Section 508 Trusted Tester certification
· Familiarity with AI-assisted safety analysis and briefing-generation tools
Tools, Technologies & Frameworks
Productivity: Microsoft Office Suite, Teams, SharePoint, Outlook | Safety: Safety Management System (SMS), Safety Risk Management (SRM) panels and documentation | Aviation: Flight deck operations, ATC procedures, occurrence reporting | Reporting: Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Tableau | Standards: FAA SMS Manual, SRMGSA, FAA Order 8040.6A, Section 508
What AKIVA Offers
· Professional development and skill-building opportunities
· Supportive management team with Veteran-owned company values
· Opportunity to work on impactful public sector engagements
· Long-term contract engagement with potential for extension
· AI productivity tools and training provided at no cost to employees
Comprehensive Benefits Package
· 401(k) with generous company match
· Medical Insurance
· Dental Insurance
· Vision Insurance
· Short-Term & Long-Term Disability Insurance
· Paid Time Off (PTO)
· Profit Sharing
Join Our AI Innovation Network
Interested in staying connected with AKIVA's AI initiatives, research, and opportunities?
Join our AI Innovation Network here: https://www.akiva.com/ai-network
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
AKIVA is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical disability, marital status, military and Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We believe that diversity among our teammates is critical to our success as a company, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people within a qualified candidate pool.
AKIVA is a certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB).
Flexible work from home options available.
