Principal Safety & Environmental Engineer

Navantia UK is a new force in British industry, supporting the UK’s defence, energy and maritime ambitions. We’re doing this by creating state-of-the-art sovereign defence capabilities, investing in the UK to modernise industrial facilities, and bolstering the nation's energy security. Established in 2022, Navantia UK is a subsidiary of Navantia SA, a Spanish state-owned company with over 300 years of naval shipbuilding history. In January 2025, Navantia UK completed the acquisition of Harland & Wolff and its four historic facilities in Belfast, Appledore, Methil, and Arnish. By combining Harland & Wolff’s proud heritage and facilities with Navantia’s global expertise, Navantia UK is well-positioned to strengthen Britain’s defence, maritime and energy industrial capabilities, supporting jobs and economic growth across the UK.

Principal Safety & Environmental Engineer (Bristol)

Help shape safer, cleaner next-generation maritime platforms. We’re looking for a Principal Safety & Environmental Engineer to lead safety and environmental engineering across complex naval and government ship design programmes—working with multidisciplinary teams and key stakeholders to keep risk controlled and compliance clear.

What you’ll do

• Own and evolve Safety and Environmental Management Plans aligned to customer needs and regulatory frameworks.
• Set project strategy across the full lifecycle: design, build, test, acceptance, in-service and disposal.
• Drive “design for safety” and environmental performance—identifying hazards/aspects early and reducing risk to ALARP.
• Deliver and assure core artefacts (e.g., Hazard Logs, environmental registers, safety cases/justifications and compliance matrices).
• Define scopes for suppliers and provide technical assurance through tendering and delivery.
• Act as the senior focal point with clients, MOD stakeholders, regulators and partners.
• Support bids with safety/environment strategy, compliance statements and cost inputs.
• Coach and mentor engineers, sharing best practice across the wider programme.

What you’ll bring

• Strong track record delivering safety and environmental engineering on complex programmes (ideally maritime/naval).
• Experience producing safety cases, management plans and compliance strategies—and influencing design decisions.
• Working knowledge of relevant legislation, standards and frameworks (including UK MOD safety policy/regulations where applicable).
• Confidence working cross-functionally and communicating clearly with senior stakeholders.
• Eligibility for BPSS checks; ability to obtain SC clearance may be required depending on the project.

Location: Bristol (with occasional travel/overnights depending on programme needs). If you’re ready to lead safety and environmental engineering that genuinely shapes outcomes, we’d love to hear from you.

 

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What We Offer

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Hybrid working, typically three days per week in the office
• Career development opportunities within a global organisation
• The chance to lead ILS activities on strategically important naval and government programmes
• A collaborative and inclusive workplace where expertise makes a direct impact
• Company pension
• 31 days holiday
• Life assurance

This role is offered on a full‑time basis, but we also welcome applications from candidates with the right skills who are interested in part‑time working.

We are an Opening Doors employer, committed to equal opportunity and an inclusive workplace. Our approach, shaped by our values of service, trust, excellence, agility, dedication, and you, we focus on removing barriers and recognising potential. We are committed to fairness at every stage, including providing reasonable adjustments and actively working to eliminate discrimination.

We believe talent is everywhere, and by widening access to opportunity and welcoming diverse experiences, we aim to create a workplace where every person feels valued and has an equal chance.

If you experience difficulties or are unable to apply for a role on-line please contact us at people.skills@harland-wolff.com and one of the team will be in contact to help you.