Is the Operational Safety Lead - Defense role remote?

No — this is an on-site role in Sunnyvale, California, United States.

How much experience is required?

At least 7 years of relevant experience for this Operational Safety Lead - Defense role.

Where is the role based?

Applied Intuition is hiring for this position in Sunnyvale, California, United States.

What seniority level is this role?

Applied Intuition targets lead candidates for this position.

Is this full-time or contract?

Full-time for this Operational Safety Lead - Defense role at Applied Intuition.

Operational Safety Lead - Defense at Applied Intuition

Joblaze summary

The Operational Safety Lead at Applied Intuition is responsible for developing tools and frameworks to assess and mitigate safety risks across various testing projects, including those involving uncrewed and crewed vehicles. This role requires extensive experience in operational safety, risk management, and familiarity with regulatory standards, particularly in defense contexts. Ideal candidates will have over seven years of relevant industry experience, including leadership in test teams and handling ordinance. The position is situated within a company that emphasizes collaboration and compliance in a high-stakes environment.

Joblaze insights

Listed yesterday — first seen on Joblaze October 1, 2026. Last confirmed on Applied Intuition's careers page October 1, 2026.

Quick facts

Is the Operational Safety Lead - Defense role remote?: No — this is an on-site role in Sunnyvale, California, United States.
How much experience is required?: At least 7 years of relevant experience for this Operational Safety Lead - Defense role.
Where is the role based?: Applied Intuition is hiring for this position in Sunnyvale, California, United States.
What seniority level is this role?: Applied Intuition targets lead candidates for this position.
Is this full-time or contract?: Full-time for this Operational Safety Lead - Defense role at Applied Intuition.

From the original posting

About the role

As the Operational Safety Lead, you will be creating tools to aid our operational teams in evaluating and mitigating safety risks. You will also be the guiding authority on accepting operational safety risk for all projects. Projects include ground, maritime, and flight tests of crewed and uncrewed platforms for Group 1-5 UAS, including ordinance. Projects also include uncrewed and crewed maritime vehicles and ground vehicles. The COS will oversee, review, and revise as necessary the comprehensive operational safety program for ground, maritime, and flight test operations, including experimental test, demonstration, and corporate flights.

At Applied Intuition, you will:

Set company safety requirements
Work with the leaders of each vertical to ensure their standard operating procedures (SOPs) support the company’s safety requirements
Work with project and vertical leads to aid in evaluating risks for each project
Serve as an impartial arbitrator of risk for projects and take direct authority for safety anytime the risk level goes above “Medium”
Stay informed of the latest regulatory guidance and industry best practices pertaining to operational safety
Disseminate new information and ensure company policies and procedures remain in compliance
Provide direct input to operators, test engineers, and aircrew by hosting safety stand-downs and recurrent safety training
Collaborate with testing organizations in developing, updating, and approving individual programs’ Test Risk Analyses Worksheets (TRW)
Be a leader in Test Risk Management through coordination with the Test Engineer of each program and by participating in test plan reviews, test operations, pre- and post-test operational briefings, and test readiness reviews
Collaborate in the development of and amendments to, company's operations and test documentation, including operations manuals, test SOPs, local procedures, etc. This includes procedures involving ground handling of aircraft
Lead periodic reviews of operational safety plans for each vertical and ensure that mitigation procedures are practical, being used, and are modified if required to ensure test team safety
Procure and provide necessary safety training to operators and those evaluating safety risk

We’re looking for someone who has:

7 + years industry experience
Bachelor's Degree
Graduate of a certified test pilot school or at least 10 years of testing experience to include leading test teams
Maintenance, experimental, developmental, or production test experience
Experience handling ordinance

Travel Requirements:

Must be willing to travel up to 25% of the time
This role can be based in one of the following locations: Washington, DC; Mountain View, CA; San Diego, CA; Ann Arbor, MI; or Fort Walton Beach, FL. While preference will be given to candidates local to these areas, applicants from other U.S. locations will also be considered, provided they are willing to travel or potentially relocate for the position.

Security Requirements:

Must be a U.S. Citizen
Must have an active U.S. Top Secret security clearance

For more information about U.S. security clearances: click here.

Nice to have:

FAA Part 107 license (or better)
100 hours minimum PIC for Part 107
8 years of aviation, 4 years of aviation safety experience
Experience working with government test teams and navigating government Safety Review Boards
Advanced degrees will be considered as additional experience

Standard company text repeated across Applied Intuition's postings is omitted here.