Ready to take your career stratospheric?

AALTO is a global leader in the stratosphere. We design, manufacture and offer Earth observation and connectivity services using our record-breaking Zephyr High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) solar-electric unmanned aircraft, capable of staying in the stratosphere for days, weeks, and months at a time.

Powered entirely by the sun, Zephyr operates above 60,000 feet, high above conventional air traffic. As a new layer in Earth observation and connectivity ecosystems, Zephyr is positioned between satellites and more conventional terrestrial assets – filling in the operational gap between the two layers, while remaining a complementary solution capable of working in a system of systems.

Services delivered with Zephyr can empower government and commercial customers with capabilities to see and sense or connect from the stratosphere – making a meaningful impact on the ground, from the skies.

Join #TeamAALTO as we create this new, up-and-coming frontier, and be a part of a highly-skilled, innovative and passionate group of people working together to make sure “the future is stratospheric.”

Job purpose:

The Lead Safety Operations Engineer is responsible for overseeing and enhancing operational safety across the organisation by ensuring compliance with aviation safety regulations and internal standards. This role leads risk assessments, safety reporting, and safety case development while driving collaboration with engineering, airworthiness, and safety management teams. The position plays a critical role in promoting a proactive safety culture and supporting continuous improvement of safety processes and systems.

Responsibilities:

• Oversee the identification, investigation, and resolution of reported operational safety issues.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with current safety regulations, standards, and best practices.
• Continuously review and monitor operations policies and procedures to assess their impact on safety.
• Ensure effective and efficient communication of operational safety matters across relevant departments.
• Champion safety within the organisation by ensuring it receives equal priority alongside operational objectives.
• Compile, analyse, and present comprehensive safety reports to internal stakeholders and external authorities as required.
• Conduct thorough operational risk analyses to identify potential hazards and recommend mitigations.
• Ensure Operational Suitability Data (OSD) complies with all relevant safety requirements and constraints.
• Oversee the implementation and monitoring of change management processes within operations to maintain safety integrity.
• Collaborate closely with Airworthiness, Engineering Safety, and the Safety Manager to coordinate and enhance operational safety efforts.
• Partner with the Safety Manager to define and support core operational safety initiatives for review within the Safety Action Group (SAG) and other safety committees.
• Develop, maintain, and update the Air System Safety Case Report (ASSCR) to reflect evolving operational and safety considerations.
• Lead the development and continuous improvement of organisational safety policies, processes, and work instructions in line with ICAO Annex 19 and applicable National Airworthiness Authority regulations.
• Promote a strong safety culture across the global organisation through targeted communication initiatives and training programs.

Requirements:

• Extensive background in aviation safety operations.
• In-depth knowledge of ICAO Annex 19, EASA/CAA regulations, and national airworthiness standards.
• Proven experience conducting risk assessments, safety case development (e.g., ASSCR), and Operational Suitability Data (OSD) compliance.
• Strong collaboration skills with cross-functional teams including Airworthiness, Engineering, and Safety Management.
• Excellent communication and reporting abilities, with experience preparing and presenting safety reports to internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and embed safety culture initiatives across complex organisations.
• Proficient in safety management systems, change management processes, and relevant safety analysis tools.

In addition to salary, we offer:

• Rewarding Excellence: Benefit from our short-term incentive plan that rewards your hard work and dedication.

• Enjoy Your Time Off: Benefit from 25 days of holiday to relax and recharge.

• Stay Healthy: We’ve got your health covered with private medical insurance, along with dental and optical cash back.

• Secure Your Future: Take advantage of our personal pension plan to ensure a comfortable retirement.

• Peace of Mind: Our income protection and life assurance schemes are there to support you when you need it most.

• We Care About You: Our employee assistance programme is always available to provide the support you need.

• Perks Galore: Enjoy a range of employee discounts via Perkbox, because you deserve a treat!

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