Safety Engineer - Systems Safety Management

Location: Hybrid – circa 2–3 days weekly in office (Office Address - Abbey Wood, Bristol, BS34 8JH)

Rate: Up to £550/day

IR35 status: Inside IR35

Contract dates: ASAP to 31/03/2027, with a potential extension

Closing date: 23rd September 2026 at 10:00

Security clearance: Current SC Clearance required for the duration of the assignment

Overview

Our customer, a large defence organisation, is seeking an experienced Safety Engineer specialising in Systems Safety Management to work within the Land domain.

The role involves providing expert advice and guidance in support of Acquisition Safety policy and solutions for complex platforms and equipment. It encompasses through-life management of project safety risk to support the delivery of safe and suitable equipment, systems and services.

The role covers System Safety Policy and Governance, System Safety Management, and System Safety Assurance and Audit.

Key Responsibilities

• Requirements – Own the generation of technical safety requirements and documentation for a project, considering in-service support and associated costs. This includes generating, updating, reviewing and endorsing safety artefacts and recommending their acceptance.
• Technical Data – Develop, manage and maintain effective Safety Management Systems. Identify and analyse hazards and contribute to the identification and evaluation of risk reduction measures, ensuring these are adequately documented and managed.
• Legislation/Policy – Work within a highly regulated environment and provide guidance to others on relevant safety legislation, regulation, policy, processes and standards. Deliver technical documentation considering quality, safety, security, sustainability and interoperability with other sub-systems.
• Risk – Identify and analyse safety impacts and contribute to the identification and evaluation of risk reduction measures, ensuring these are adequately documented and managed.
• Design – Provide informed and accurate acquisition safety engineering advice and guidance across Environmental and Technical Themes and to decision-makers through Project Safety Panels.
• Stakeholder Management – Oversee contractual aspects to ensure safety requirements are captured and manage contractors undertaking safety activities.
• V&V – Manage the system safety test, verification, validation and evaluation process.
• Support – Develop and maintain project safety assurance plans, monitor compliance and ensure safety assurance evidence is gathered and assessed for safety case preparation.
• Assurance – Lead safety assurance activities within the limits of the Safety Engineering discipline.
• Disposal – Manage the safety engineering aspects of disposal and decommissioning of basic equipment.
• Technical Discipline – Support the development and maintenance of policy and processes to satisfy corporate standards for Acquisition Safety.
• Personal Development – Maintain professional development and registration with a relevant professional body and keep current with modern engineering technologies.

Essential Qualifications and Experience

• A Science, Technology, Engineering and/or Mathematics-based qualification at RQF Level 4.
• Wide-ranging depth and breadth of experience providing technical advice and delivering successful safety systems/acquisition engineering outcomes.
• Demonstrable experience providing technical advice and leading the delivery of successful safety systems/acquisition engineering outcomes.
• Professional registration with a relevant professional body/institution as either:
• Incorporated Engineer (IEng); or
• Registered Scientist (RSci).
• Awareness of financial budgets.
• Ability to provide input into Business Cases and approvals, which may include generating or reviewing cost estimates for technical services or products.

Desirable – Problem Solving Skills

• Ability to identify and apply appropriate technical legislation, regulation, standards, policies and processes during equipment acquisition and support.
• Ability to identify effective and efficient approaches to processing data.
• Ability to select appropriate communication methods and resolve potential conflicts between stakeholders.
• Ability to respond appropriately to routine issues, including reporting safety incidents and identifying opportunities for improved efficiency.
• Ability to analyse products or processes and identify appropriate actions to rectify issues.
• Sound judgement in making timely decisions, establishing priorities and sequencing work effectively.
• Ability to identify and escalate risks at the appropriate time to meet regulatory requirements, including where equipment or products may need to be safely quarantined.
• Ability to plan and manage your own time and deliver at pace.
• Ability to identify and provide appropriate coaching or supervision to junior or equivalent-level colleagues where required.
• Ability to identify gaps in your own knowledge and establish appropriate short and medium-term development priorities.

Additional Information

• Regular attendance at Abbey Wood, Bristol, approximately 2–3 days per week is required.
• Current SC Clearance must be held for the duration of the assignment.
• UK nationals only.
• The core assignment runs to 31 March 2027, with a potential extension.