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Analytical Mechanics Associates

Engineering, math, and IT problem-solving firm

System Safety Engineer

Full-TimeUpdated on 10/23/2026
$75k - $95k
Mid, Senior
Bachelor's, Master's
Edwards AFB, CA, USA
In PersonOnsite at Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, CA; occasional travel may be required.
Aerospace Engineering
No H1B Sponsorship
US Citizenship Required

About the job

Requirements
  • A bachelor's degree in Engineering or Physical Science with at least 3 years of related experience, or an advanced degree in Engineering or Physical Science, is required; alternatively, an Aircraft Engineering Technician with at least 12 years of related experience may qualify.
  • Professional degrees must be in the stated fields of Engineering, Sciences, or Technology, and educational institutions must be accredited by a nationally recognized accreditation organization.
  • Military technical school certificates may be accepted in lieu of equivalent degrees offered by civilian institutions; candidates without degrees may be considered if they have uniquely applicable experience.
  • Complete required NASA and Department of Defense training to establish system safety competency.
  • Work a 9/80 two-week schedule with core hours between 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
  • Comply with AMA’s Drug Free Workplace Policy.
  • U.S. citizenship is required.
Responsibilities
  • Provide System Safety expertise to project teams and facilitate development, documentation, and implementation of system safety plans for flight and ground operations.
  • Maintain Continuous Risk Management, capture lessons learned, and analyze component-level reliability and maintainability.
  • Manage and lead projects through System Safety Working Group discussions; capture project risks, classify hazards, and formulate mitigations.
  • Develop and maintain the project hazard database and support project hazard reporting.
  • Support review groups chartered to provide independent project assessments.
  • Participate in project meetings, configuration control boards, design reviews, and flight readiness reviews.
  • Prepare presentations and present project system safety hazard status to NASA center management or agency safety review boards as required.
  • Complete NASA and Department of Defense training to ensure system safety competency for NASA operations.
Desired Qualifications
  • Apply engineering, technology, and systems engineering concepts to specific technical tasks.
  • Mentor less experienced engineers in system safety processes and principles.
  • Use originality and sound judgment to formulate, evaluate, and correlate broad engineering research concepts and guide analysis of unique problems.
  • Apply standard methodologies while using innovative thinking, problem-solving, and independent judgment to resolve complex issues.
  • Have experience as a technical team member in the development, prototyping, and flight testing of unique aerospace systems.
  • Apply safety analysis techniques such as Failure Modes and Effects Analysis and Fault Tree Analysis to identify failure modes in design, manufacturing, assembly, and operations.
  • Lead teams in identifying, categorizing, mitigating, and managing system safety risks to personnel, mission systems, and supporting systems.
  • Have experience in one or more of these technology areas: aircraft systems, avionics hardware systems, software design, development and management, real-time systems, unmanned aircraft systems, or system test and validation.
  • Occasional travel may be required.

About the company

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Analytical Mechanics Associates

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Analytical Mechanics Associates provides engineering, mathematics, and information technology services to government and commercial clients. It solves complex problems by combining engineering, science, and math with visualization to build models, simulations, and decision-support tools. It differentiates itself with a long track record since 1962 and a nationwide network of offices that mix a small-business feel with broad aerospace, defense, and energy expertise. Its goal is to deliver reliable, practical solutions and spark future discoveries through rigorous analysis and effective visualization.

Company Size

201-500

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Hampton, Virginia

Founded

1962

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • NASA awarded AMA multiple 2026 orders, including $4.6 million, $3.7 million, and $3.3 million.
  • The February 2026 CEO transition can tighten execution and win larger federal programs.
  • Headcount grew from 446 to 464 by 2026, while active hiring remained ongoing.

What critics are saying

  • NASA dominates revenue; recompetes worth $49 million return within 24 months.
  • STC appealed NASA's $104 million award, threatening future protest risk through 2026.
  • 464 employees and no diversified commercial base create existential dependence on federal spending cycles.

What makes Analytical Mechanics Associates unique

  • NASA-centric engineering niche spans aeromechanics, CFD, and wildfire resilience contracts in 2026.
  • Joseph Poist brings SAIC and NASA Goddard leadership, effective February 9, 2026.
  • AMA won AMCOM EXPRESS work, showing reach beyond NASA into Army aviation.

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Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Disability Insurance
  • 401(k) Retirement Plan
  • 401(k) Company Match
  • Paid Holidays
  • Tuition Reimbursement

Company News

WashingtonExec
Feb 10th, 2026
AMA Taps Joseph Poist as CEO

AMA taps Joseph Poist as CEO. The board of directors of Analytical Mechanics Associates has named Joseph Poist CEO after a comprehensive search, citing confidence in his leadership judgment, operational discipline and ability to execute strategy across complex, mission-critical environments. "I am humbled by the board's confidence and excited to lead this organization," Poist said. "The opportunity ahead is significant. My focus will be on clarity of direction, disciplined execution and building an enterprise that delivers and grows consistently." Before joining AMA, Poist served as a vice president at SAIC, leading a large business group supporting complex government missions. Earlier in his career, he served as chief of staff at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, helping oversee a portfolio of over $5 billion in annual programs and a workforce of over 10,000 civil servants and contractors across multiple locations nationwide. During his 14-year career as a civil servant, he also held senior financial leadership roles, including associate deputy chief financial officer for resources, with responsibility for guiding government programs from inception through delivery. Poist succeeds John Abrams as CEO. The board thanked Abrams for his leadership and contributions to the company and wished him continued success.