Senior Program Manager - SMS

About Forterra

Forterra is a leading provider of autonomous systems for ground-based movement in the working world. Amongst some of the earliest innovators in the field of driverless technology, Forterra is focused on building systems that protect front-line soldiers and enable civilian workers in our industrial base. Forterra is the go-to provider of ground autonomy solutions for the U.S. Department of Defense, which harnesses the technology for asymmetric warfare in critical conditions.

About the role

Forterra is looking for a Program Manager, SMS, to develop, operationalize and execute the enterprise Safety Management System (SMS) program. The role will be assigned to execute existing and future SMS and Operational Safety processes for our core product and specific autonomous vehicle platforms and programs across Forterra, including:

• autonomous vehicle operational incident and safety concern investigations,

• safety risk analyses and assessments,

• facilitation of safety finding identification and development of safety corrective and preventive actions

(CAPA) plans,

• conducting autonomous vehicle operations audits and observations, and

• tracking and reporting of metrics and trends across organizational safety performance.

This role will build relationships and data pipelines with strategic programs, departments and individuals within the assigned autonomous platforms and programs, including but not limited to Safety Engineering, Systems Engineering, Software Engineering, Test, Missions Support (Ops) and Hardware Engineering. The Program Manager supports the comprehensive SMS structure by ensuring prioritization of highly critical work within the SMS framework, furthering continuous improvement and positive performance across all established components of Forterra's Safety Management System.

What you'll do

• Conducting Safety Risk Assessments utilizing various risk management methods across company pilots, demonstrations, and system safety hazards processes.

• Supporting the management of the SMS Safety Risk Register.

• Conducting investigations into operational events (incidents and near misses) and safety concerns, incorporating risk classification, just culture algorithm and causal and contributing factor analysis in collaboration with cross functional stakeholders' processes.

• Developing, socializing, and assigning safety findings to appropriate finding owners as a result of utilizing safety assurance processes.

• Facilitating safety corrective and preventive action (CAPA) plan development and execution with safety finding owners.

• Tracking completion of CAPAs through management of data in Jira tooling.

• Conducting and documenting internal evaluation programs such as audits and observations.

• Escalating critical or overdue items to leadership when required.

• Tracking, trending and managing pertinent organizational safety data through the use of Jira Software and Service Manager products.

• Assisting with the planning, preparation and execution of Forterra’s Executive and Safety Risk Committees.

• Supporting the development, dispersal and launch of Safety promotion and education materials and campaigns.

• Lead and contribute to the development of SMS architecture, with a focus on:

• • Emergency Response Program

• • Safety Management Programs Training

• • Change Management

• • Safety promotions campaigns

Qualifications

Ownership Mentality - We’re looking for owners; those who have a natural bias to assume responsibility, a healthy dose of skepticism, and contribute to a culture of performance.

Structured Thinker and Problem Solver - Leading technical programs requires clear communication and well-thought-out plans. A solution-driven approach, the ability to distill complexity into its essential, digestible components, and the ability to supervise execution are critical to ensure mission success.

• Experience of 5+ years with SMS, Operational Safety, and/or similar safety programs in a safety critical industry: Automotive, Nuclear, Aviation or similar.

• Experience architecting or implementing SMS and/or programs which support SMS within an operating organization.

• Experience executing Safety Risk Assessments and Safety Investigations in safety critical industries.

• Experience leading sophisticated fast-paced safety critical initiatives impacting multiple teams and organizations.

• Effectiveness at building consensus across different business disciplines (Engineering, Operations, Legal, Quality, etc.).

• Ability to develop standardized methodologies for complex problems, and always be striving for continuous improvement.

• Understanding of project management principles and proficiency in facilitating cross functional groups or activities

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with Engineering or Human Factors.

• Formal education in Operations, Aviation, Safety or any related field.

• Experience with robotics, autonomous vehicles and/or vehicle development.

• Experience in aligning with and evaluating against automotive industry regulations, standards and best practices (DMV, NHTSA, NTSB, DoD, AVSC, SAE).

US Salary Range

$160,000 - $190,000

Location

Remote with 10-25% travel

The salary range for this role is an estimate and is based on a wide variety of compensation factors. The salary offered to candidates will vary based on a variety of factors including (but not limited to) relevant work experience, education, specialized training, critical expertise, training, and more. Equity in Forterra is included in most of our full-time, high-demand roles and is therefore considered part of Forterra’s overall compensation package. In addition to base salary and equity, Forterra offers competitive benefits for full-time employees including:

• Premium Healthcare Benefits: Three plan options, including an HSA-eligible plan, with Forterra covering 80% of the plan premium for you and your dependents.
• Basic Life/AD&D, short and long-term disability insurance plans 100% covered by Forterra, plus the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your dependents.
• Extremely generous company holiday calendar including a winter break in December.
• Competitive paid time off (PTO) offering 20 days accrued per year.
• A minimum of 7 weeks fully paid parental leave for birth/adoption.
• A $9k annual tuition reimbursement or professional development stipend.
• Fully stocked beverage refrigerators with all the Celsius your little heart desires.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan, including traditional, Roth 401(k), and after-tax deferral with company match up to 4%.

Your recruiter will be able to share more information about our salary and benefits offering during the hiring process.

Forterra is an equal-opportunity employer, providing and promoting equal employment opportunity in accordance with local, state, and federal laws. Forterrans are unique, talented individuals who are united through a shared passion to deliver autonomous systems that enable national resilience and a robust supply chain. All qualified applications will receive equal consideration for employment.