Failure Mode Analysis (FMA) Engineer

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Voice Switch and Recorder (VS&R) Program Office manages seven disinct programs that provide high-availability voice communication and recording systems for use by Air Traffic Control (ATC) within the United States National Airspace System (NAS). The FAA performs sustainment of Legacy voice equipment currently in use across the NAS and also procurement of new modern voice communications switches, components, and capabilities. The VS&R Program Office is responsible for full system life cycle management of the ATC voice communications systems (VCSs), including Failure Mode Analysis (FMA).

Failure Mode Analysis (FMA), often referred to as Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) in the context of complex systems like Air Traffic Control (ATC), is a systematic method for identifying potential failure modes within a system, assessing their impact, and determining ways to mitigate risks. For ATC systems, which manage the safe and efficient movement of aircraft, FMA is critical due to the high-stakes nature of the system, where failures can lead to delays, safety risks, or catastrophic events like collisions.

The FAA FMA Engineer will support new VCS acquisition programs and existing VS&R programs within the NAS, interacting with a team comprised of Noblis, Subcontractor, Industry/Vendor and FAA staff to:

• Identify potential failures in ATC components (e.g., surveillance, communication systems, software, human operators).
• Evaluate the severity, likelihood, and detectability of each failure.
• Prioritize risks and work with a technical team, logistics and obsolence engineers to recommend mitigation strategies to ensure system reliability and safety.
• Apply FMA and FMEA knowledge to support FAA VS&R programs, projects and acquisition activities.

The candidate must possess a bachelor’s degree in engineering, mechanical engineering, or similar technical field and have 9+ years of relevant FMA/FMEA and system life cycle management experience.

The candidate should possess specialized knowledge, skills, and experience in the following areas:

• Component Analysis: ATC systems are complex, involving hardware, software, human operators, and procedures, including:
  • Hardware: Voice Communications Systems (Voice Switches), transponders, navigation aids, or power systems.
  • Software: Air traffic management software, automation tools, or data processing systems.
  • Human Factors: Controller errors, fatigue, or miscommunication.
  • Procedural: Inadequate protocols or contingency plans.
  • Environmental: Weather impacts or external disruptions (e.g., cyberattacks).
• Experience with Identify Failure Modes: Pinpoint ways a component could fail (e.g., system outage, software crash, or controller misjudgment), including:
  • Assess Effects: Determine the impact of each failure (e.g., loss of aircraft tracking, delayed flights, or risk of mid-air collision).
  • Determine Severity: Rate the consequences (e.g., minor delays vs. catastrophic safety risks).
  • Evaluate Likelihood: Estimate how often a failure might occur based on historical data or system design.
  • Assess Detectability: Consider whether the failure can be detected and corrected in time (e.g., through backup systems or alerts).
  • Prioritize Risks: Use a Risk Priority Number (RPN) calculated as Severity × Likelihood × Detectability to focus on high-risk failures.
  • Mitigate Risks: Propose solutions like redundant systems, enhanced training, or improved software algorithms.
• Experience conducting technical reviews of contractor system FMA-related reports and deliverables

The candidate should possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Knowledge of the Federal Aviation Administration and National Airspace System (NAS) systems.
• Familiarity with FAA’s Safety Management System (SMS), a formal, top-down, organization-wide approach to managing safety risk and ensuring the effectiveness of safety risk controls.
• Strong oral, written and interpersonal communications skills
• Ability to work independently to complete assigned tasks within expected schedule to complete
• Flexible/easily adaptable within a dynamic work environment
• Customer service and client goal oriented
• Ability to travel to occasional meetings at FAA or vendor facilities around the U.S.

Noblis and our wholly owned subsidiaries, Noblis ESI, and Noblis MSD tackle the nation's toughest problems and apply advanced solutions to our clients' most critical missions. We bring the best of scientific thought, management, and engineering expertise together in an environment of independence and objectivity to deliver enduring impact on federal missions. Noblis works with a wide range of government clients in the defense, intelligence and federal civil sectors. Learn more at Noblis -About Us

Why work at a Noblis company?

Our employees find greater meaning in their work and balance the other things in life that matter to them. Our people are our greatest asset. They are exceptionally skilled, knowledgeable, team-oriented, and mission-driven individuals who want to do work that matters and benefits the public. Noblis has won numerous workplace awards. Noblis maintains a drug-free workplace.

*Remote/hybrid status is subject to change based on Noblis and/or government requirements

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, sex, age, national origin, religion, physical or mental disability, pregnancy/childbirth and related medical conditions, veteran or military status, or any other characteristics protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact us.

EEO is the Law  |  E-Verify  |  Right to Work

At Noblis we recognize and reward your contributions, provide you with growth opportunities, and support your total well-being. Our offerings include health, life, disability, financial, and retirement benefits, as well as paid leave, professional development, tuition assistance, and work-life programs. Our award programs acknowledge employees for exceptional performance and superior demonstration of our service standards. Full-time and part-time employees working at least 20 hours a week on a regular basis are eligible to participate in our benefit programs. Other offerings may be provided for employees not within this category. We encourage you to learn more about our total benefits by visiting the Benefits page on our Careers site.

Compensation at Noblis is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the combination of education, certifications, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience, internal and external equity, location, clearance level, as well as contract-specific affordability, organizational requirements and applicable employment laws. The projected compensation range for this position is based on full time status. For part time or on-call staff, compensation is proportionately adjusted based on hours worked. While monetary compensation is important, it's just one component of Noblis’ total compensation package.