Assistant Director Flight Safety

Description:

About the Department
The Department of Industry, Science and Resources and our broader portfolio are integral to the Australian Government's economic agenda. Our purpose is to help the government build a better future for all Australians through enabling a productive, resilient and sustainable economy, enriched by science and technology. We do this by:

• Growing innovative & competitive businesses, industries and regions
• Investing in science and technology
• Strengthening the resources sector.

The APS and the department offer a clear direction and meaningful work. You will be able to create positive impact in people's lives whilst contributing to improved outcomes for Australia and our people.
If you would like to feel a strong connection to your work and you are accountable, committed and open to change, join us in shaping Australia's future.
Please see the APSC's APS Employee Value Proposition for more information on the benefits and value of employment within the APS.
About the team
The Australian Space Agency provides government leadership on civil space capability to improve the lives of Australians and strengthen our society. The Agency ensures that Australia's space activities contribute to Australia's national interest and broader Government objectives, including enhanced economic resilience, social cohesion, environmental sustainability, and national security.
Our agents deliver meaningful outcomes that will benefit our nation long into the future.
The Agency's functions include:

• Leadership of policy and coordination of civil space activities across government,
• Shaping and growing national space capability, including delivery of Agency programs,
• Leading international civil space engagement for economic and strategic benefit, in alignment with Australian foreign policy objectives,
• Promoting a responsible, effectively regulated space sector, while delivering on our international obligations,
• Promoting the value and benefits of space to the community, including to inspire a highly skilled workforce.

Our ideal candidate
Our ideal candidate is/will have:

• Highly resilient and outcomes-focused individual with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated leadership capability in a complex technical environment.
• A tertiary qualification in engineering, science, technology or mathematics.
• At least 5 years' experience in the aerospace engineering industry (or equivalent).
• Experience making risk-informed decisions within an aerospace engineering framework.
• Programming skills or familiarity with programming languages, such as MATLAB and Python.
• Working knowledge of launch vehicle flight safety systems, or the ability to rapidly acquire a working level knowledge thereof.
• Working knowledge of launch and return vehicle flight dynamics and orbital mechanics, or the ability to rapidly acquire a working level knowledge thereof.
• Working knowledge of the Space (Launches and Returns) Act 2018 and subordinate legislation, the Flight Safety Code, FAA Part 450 and Range Commanders Council standards, or the ability to rapidly acquire a working level knowledge thereof.
• Sound stakeholder management skills, including demonstrated experience in successfully managing competing interests amongst stakeholders.
• Strong communication skills with a proven ability to generate high-quality written technical materials and provide persuasive verbal arguments.

The key duties of the position include
The Assistant Director, Flight Safety reports to the Director of Flight Safety and is responsible for:

• Assessing all flight safety aspects of Australian launch and return applications under the Space (Launches and Returns) Act 2018. This includes developing and reviewing flight safety analyses.
• Assessing and communicating regulatory risk for Australian launch and return applications.
• Updating Australian launch and return safety standards and flight safety analysis methodologies in the Flight Safety Code.
• Continuously improving internal procedures for flight safety assessments.
• Developing external guidance defining flight safety requirements for Australian launch and return applicants.
• Engaging with domestic and international regulators to support the continuous improvement of Australian launch and return safety standards and associated guidelines.
• Developing and delivering internal and external training to support the continued uplift of Australian flight safety capability.
• Providing Launch Safety Officer support as required during Australian launch and return activities.
• Other tasks and projects as directed by the Head of Agency, General Manager - Office of the Space Regulatory and Director of Flight Safety.