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.