Senior Specialist - Cargo Safety

Senior Specialist - Cargo Safety

Location Chicago, Illinois, United StatesCategory CorporateJob IdWHQ00027034Airport Management & AdministrativeJob TypeFull-TimePosted Date 11/03/2026

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Description

About the Job

The Senior Specialist – Cargo Safety manages the health and quality of Cargo's Safety Management System and ensures it continues to be woven into the day-to-day culture. This includes working cross-functionally with senior leadership to identify and mitigate safety hazards/risks in the cargo operation, as well as responsibility for safety policy, risk management, assurance, and promotion. In addition, this position leads key cornerstone United safety programs such as the station safety excellence program, and access to safety data reporting streams.

Lead the SMS culture for Cargo Operations and find creative ways to ensure compliance and build on United Cargo's safety culture.

Influence, Inform and hold internal and external leaders accountable to United Cargo's SMS standards.

Negotiate risk acceptance by the appropriate leader

Spearhead the use of Safety Risk Assessments in all operational change

Develop initiatives to embed SMS within day-to-day cargo operations

Support Cargo Operations in implementing and upholding OSHA standards via United’s Safety Excellence Program.

Ensure day-to-day SMS processes and requirements are met including identifying, assigning and processing Hazards and SMS CAPAs.

Note: This position offers a hybrid work arrangement, with in-office requirements 50% of the time at United’s Corporate Headquarters in Chicago, IL. This role will also be required to travel up to 30% of the time.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

High school diploma or equivalent (GED)

2+ years of relevant experience

Experience supporting cargo operations, safety, security, compliance, or related operational activities

Experience conducting compliance checks, supporting corrective actions, and assisting with root-cause analysis of incidents

Strong skills in workplace safety, cargo security, OSHA, workflow analysis, and operations support

Ability to influence others who do not directly report to you

Must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship

Successful completion of interview required to meet job qualification

Reliable, punctual attendance is an essential function of the position

Preferred Qualifications

OSHA 10- or 30-hour certification

Leading an aviation related Safety Management System

Ability to identify, analyze and communicate key metrics that identify the health of an SMS culture

Experience supporting safety training, procedures, or compliance

Experience improving operational processes

Experience analyzing cargo handling and recommending improvements

Experience resolving complex operational challenges and recurring service issues

Demonstrates an understanding of the capabilities and limitations of generative AI tools and effectively leverages them to support research, analysis, content creation, and problem-solving. Apply critical thinking to validate AI-generated outputs while adhering to organizational policies for responsible AI use, data privacy, and security.

The base pay range for this role is $81,795.00 to $106,602.00.

The base salary range/hourly rate listed is dependent on job-related, factors such as experience, education, and skills. This position is also eligible for bonus and/or long-term incentive compensation awards.