---
title: 'Lead Engineer, System Safety at Supernal'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/lead-engineer-system-safety-supernal-irvine-b28grn8hjrag'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-07'
---

# Lead Engineer, System Safety at Supernal

- **Company:** Supernal
- **Location:** Irvine, CA
- **Compensation:** $168k–$205k
- **Posted:** 2026-07-31
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-07
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/supernal/jobs/7821931003

## Job description

Rise above. Are you ready to take human possibility to a new dimension with us?

Supernal is an Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) company that’s developing an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicle and the ground-to-air ecosystem to support the emerging industry. By creating a sustainable, integrated, and human-centered ecosystem, we are committed to taking a thoughtful and responsible approach to entering the AAM market with a product that meets the high level of safety and reliability in today’s air transportation system.

The future of mobility starts with people. We believe in creative thinking and collaboration to help build a better mobility experience for everyone, improving people’s ability to move – whether for work or play. Join our dynamic team as we strive to be a part of something greater where potential powers tomorrow!

Supernal provides an inviting open-space workplace designed to foster collaboration, which aligns with one of our core values. This position is required to work on-site 5 days a week.

What we do:

As our Lead Engineer, System Safety, you will take ownership of safety engineering across the full aircraft lifecycle. You will be accountable for the overall safety strategy, governance, technical direction, and successful execution of the system safety function across the program. This role provides organizational leadership, drives safety-related decision making, and is ultimately responsible for achieving program-level safety objectives. In this role, you will operate at aircraft level, with responsibility not only for ensuring the delivery of core aircraft and systems safety assessments, but also for driving a coherent systems safety process across all engineering domains.

This position requires an experienced professional with expertise in definition and application of processes and procedures in alignment with SAE ARP4754B and SAE 4761A, safety requirements definition, management & performance measurement within an agile product development environment. You will work with different engineering disciplines and will liaise closely with the Strategy Team to ensure requirements meet our customer & business case needs.

What you can do:

- Own the System Safety function for assigned aircraft programs, ensuring the development and execution of the overall safety strategy throughout the product lifecycle
- Serve as the technical authority and primary decision-maker for system safety matters, providing direction, prioritization, and risk disposition recommendations
- Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of system safety activities across engineering disciplines, suppliers, and external partners
- Represent the safety organization in executive reviews and provide clear communication of program safety status, risks, and recommendations
- Influence technical and program decisions by balancing safety, certification, performance, cost, schedule, and operational considerations
- Lead supplier and partner engagements related to safety analyses, compliance activities, and risk management
- Provide leadership for safety compliance activities supporting aircraft certification and regulatory approval and program milestones
- Act as a primary interface with certification authorities, designated representatives, and external stakeholders on safety-related topics
- Plan, lead, and review all system safety analyses (FHA, PSSA, SSA, CMA, PRA, ZSA, etc.) across the aircraft and define and verify system safety requirements and safety analysis artifacts to ensure design integrity and safety
- Develop and uphold a structured, auditable and proactive safety process, aligned with SAE ARP4754A/ARP4761 and PL.2510
- Ensure effective cross-functional integration of safety requirements and risk mitigations with design, test, flight operations and compliance teams
- Provide technical expertise and guidance to the Engineering team and cross-disciplinary research & development teams working on the development & certification of passenger carrying eVTOL aircraft
- Mentor, coach and provide technical leadership to safety engineers and cross-functional engineering teams in all aspects of Safety System Engineering industry best practices
- Applies safety engineering principles to support investigation, analysis, planning, design, development, testing, evaluation, and implementation of eVTOL systems
- Reviews and prepares safety engineering and technical analysis reports, and other technical documentation
- Applies safety engineering principles to facilitate functions such as system integration, configuration management, and testing
- Drive consistency, quality, and continuous improvement of safety processes, methods, tools, and standards across the organization
- Influencing aircraft design to improve system safety features and design

What you can contribute:

- Bachelor’s degree in aerospace, electrical, mechanical engineering, or related field is required; advanced degree preferred
- A minimum of eight (8) years of aerospace experience leading safety engineering activities at the aircraft or system-of-systems level
- Proven ability to plan and deliver multiple safety analyses and workstreams to aggressive schedules
- Strong experience across the safety lifecycle delivering various functional safety analyses (AFHAs, PASAs, PRAs, ZSAs, ASA etc.)
- Prior experience with complete OEM aircraft development programs doing systems safety and reliability from the initial design until industrialization
- Experience with Flight Controls and electric propulsion (preferred)
- Experience with safety aspects of RTCA DO-178B/C and RTCA DO-254 (preferred)
- Excellent understanding of FAA/EASA certification processes for the aircraft and subcomponents
- Strong working knowledge of SAE ARP4754A and ARP4761, and regulatory frameworks including PL.2510 and 23.1309
- A minimum of three (3) years of experience with at least one (1) of the following 14 CFR Airworthiness Standards: Part 23, 25, 27, 29, 33, 34 or 35
- Capable of setting a positive tone, managing ambiguity and driving accountability across teams
- Excellent abstraction and communication skills
- Experience working on novel air vehicles (eVTOL, rotorcraft, multi-rotors, or UAS).
- Experience with 2X.1309 and PL.2510 and relevant regulations and guidance materials.
- Experience conducting Particular Risk, Zonal Safety, Common Mode and / or Reliability analyses.
- Awareness of the interrelationship between Cyber Security and Safety
- Understanding and experience using fault tree / failure analysis software and analysis tools for safety systems
- Sense of urgency, proactive delivery of communication and follow-up
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
- Ability to independently prioritize and accomplish work within time constraints
- Self-motivated and growth-oriented personality
- Critical thinker, adept at relationship building and leading through influence

Base pay offered may vary depending on skills, experience, job-related knowledge and location. This position is also eligible for a bonus as part of total compensation.

The pay range for this position is: $167,670—$204,930 USD

Click [HERE](https://jobs.supernal.aero/benefits) or visit: https://jobs.supernal.aero/benefits to view our benefits!

Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a background check. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other category or class protected under applicable federal, state or local law. Individuals with disabilities may request a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation at: ta-support@supernal.aero

This position may include access to certain technology and/or software source code subject to U.S. export controls laws and regulations. If an export authorization from an applicable US regulatory agency is required in connection with your employment, your employment is contingent upon Supernal’s receipt of such regulatory authorization(s) and your continued compliance with all conditions and limitations pursuant to such authorization(s).

## About Supernal

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Supernal is an Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) company, part of Hyundai Motor Group, developing an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and the ground-to-air ecosystem to support a new era of urban air transportation.
- **Entity Type**: Private (subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Group; spun out in 2021)
- **Headquarters**: Irvine, California, United States (moved from Washington, D.C. in 2023)
- **Founded**: 2020 (as a startup within Hyundai Motor Group)
- **Founders**: Supernal was created inside Hyundai Motor Group; founding leadership included Jaiwon Shin (former CEO, departed August 2025) and David McBride (former CTO, departed 2025). The company is currently led by an interim COO, with Dr. Farhan Gandhi appointed as CTO in May 2026. [ocregister.com](https://www.ocregister.com/2025/09/05/supernal-ceo-cto-out-at-hyundais-aircraft-startup-in-irvine-part-of-leadership-shakeup/) [supernal.aero](https://www.supernal.aero/newsroom/supernal-appoints-new-cto-to-lead-next-phase-of-aam-evolution/)

## Core Business
- **Primary Industry**: Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) / Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft development
- **Target Customers**: Initially B2B partners (infrastructure operators, municipalities, fleet operators) with eventual B2C focus for passenger service
- **Mission**: “Make advanced air mobility a safe and reliable option for everyday transportation.” [supernal.aero](https://www.supernal.aero/)

## Products & Services
- **S-A2 / eVTOL Aircraft**: An electric vertical take-off and landing vehicle designed for four passengers plus a pilot. Supernal has built a technology demonstrator that completed tethered test flights in March 2025. The aircraft aims to turn a 45-minute car commute into a 10-minute flight. [supernal.aero](https://www.supernal.aero/)
- **Vertiport & Ecosystem**: Supernal is developing the full ground-to-air infrastructure, including vertiports that integrate with existing transit (robotaxis, buses, trains) and a clean-energy ecosystem for charging and operations. [supernal.aero](https://www.supernal.aero/)

## Market Standing
- **Valuation / Investment**: Supernal has received approximately **$1.7 billion** in investment from Hyundai Motor Group (as of September 2025, per the Orange County Register). [ocregister.com](https://www.ocregister.com/2025/09/05/supernal-ceo-cto-out-at-hyundais-aircraft-startup-in-irvine-part-of-leadership-shakeup/)
- **Key Metric (Headcount)**: Approximately **315 employees** as of mid-2026 (LinkedIn), down from ~500 in mid-2025 after multiple rounds of layoffs. The company announced 296 layoffs in February 2026 as part of a consolidation into its Irvine HQ. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/supernalaero) [ocregister.com](https://www.ocregister.com/2025/09/05/supernal-ceo-cto-out-at-hyundais-aircraft-startup-in-irvine-part-of-leadership-shakeup/)
- **Notable Investors / Parent**: Wholly owned by **Hyundai Motor Group**, with deep access to automotive manufacturing, automation, supply chain, and R&D capabilities.
- **Growth Signals**: Despite a pause in the aircraft program after leadership departures, Supernal appointed a new CTO (Dr. Farhan Gandhi) in May 2026 and is repositioning as a “lean, high-efficiency organization” focused on certification and technical validation. The company is prioritizing FAA coordination and aircraft concept refinement. [supernal.aero](https://www.supernal.aero/newsroom/supernal-appoints-new-cto-to-lead-next-phase-of-aam-evolution/)

## Competitive Advantages
- **Hyundai Backing**: Access to world-class manufacturing, automation, supply chain expertise, and significant capital from one of the largest automotive groups globally.
- **Holistic Ecosystem Approach**: Developing not just the aircraft but also the vertiport and clean-energy infrastructure, aiming for seamless integration with existing urban transit (robotaxis, public transport).
- **Experienced Talent Pool**: The team includes many hires from aerospace leaders (Northrop Grumman, Boeing, Lockheed Martin) and eVTOL competitors (Archer, Joby), plus automotive engineers from Hyundai/Rivian/Tesla. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/supernalaero)

## Strategic Focus
- **Certification & Commercial Viability**: After a strategic realignment, Supernal is focusing on FAA certification, aircraft concept refinement, and building a sustainable business model. The new CTO’s expertise in rotorcraft aeromechanics aligns with this goal.
- **Operational Efficiency**: The company is operating as a “streamlined, high-efficiency organization” to stabilize operations and reduce burn rate, with a sharpened focus on business and operational development.
- **Tempered Timeline**: Rather than rushing to market, Supernal is emphasizing “building the right product and right market, first.” The original 2028 commercial service target is under reassessment. [supernal.aero](https://www.supernal.aero/newsroom/supernal-appoints-new-cto-to-lead-next-phase-of-aam-evolution/) [techcrunch.com](https://techcrunch.com/2025/09/07/hyundais-evtol-startup-supernal-pauses-work-following-ceo-and-cto-departures/)

## Why Work Here
- **Pioneering Technology**: Opportunity to work on cutting-edge eVTOL aircraft and shape a new mode of transportation with strong backing from Hyundai Motor Group.
- **Lean, High-Impact Team**: With the recent restructuring, the remaining team is small and focused, giving engineers and technical staff significant ownership over core technologies.
- **Location**: Based in Irvine, CA (Orange County) with access to test facilities in Mojave. The company has consolidated to a single HQ, indicating a more focused work environment.
- **Culture & Stability Notes**: The company has experienced significant leadership turnover, layoffs, and a program pause – job seekers should be aware of the instability, but the new leadership team (including a renowned CTO) aims to stabilize and advance the technical roadmap.
- **Work Policy**: Not publicly specified, but likely on-site at Irvine HQ given the manufacturing/engineering focus.

## Sources
1. [supernal.aero – Official Website](https://www.supernal.aero/)
2. [linkedin.com – Supernal Company Page](https://www.linkedin.com/company/supernalaero)
3. [techcrunch.com – Hyundai's eVTOL startup Supernal pauses work after CEO and CTO departures](https://techcrunch.com/2025/09/07/hyundais-evtol-startup-supernal-pauses-work-following-ceo-and-cto-departures/)
4. [ocregister.com – Supernal CEO, CTO out at Hyundai’s aircraft startup in Irvine, part of leadership shakeup](https://www.ocregister.com/2025/09/05/supernal-ceo-cto-out-at-hyundais-aircraft-startup-in-irvine-part-of-leadership-shakeup/)
5. [supernal.aero – Supernal Appoints New CTO to Lead Next Phase of AAM Evolution (May 2026)](https://www.supernal.aero/newsroom/supernal-appoints-new-cto-to-lead-next-phase-of-aam-evolution/)

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- [Staff Engineer, Systems Engineering](https://feeny.ai/job/staff-engineer-systems-engineering-supernal-irvine-pjv1yrftn170) — Irvine, CA
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