Lead Systems Safety Engineer
Based in Bristol | Hybrid, 2 to 3 days on site
Salary Circa £70,000 + bonus up to 21%
Some safety engineers write the safety case. The best ones change the design.
If that’s you, and you’re ready to lead a team of systems safety engineers on complex maritime defence programmes, this is worth five minutes.
The role
You’ll lead and develop a team of safety engineers while keeping your hands on the technical work. You’ll sit alongside design and systems engineering teams, making sure safety shapes decisions early, not as paperwork at the end.
What you’ll be doing
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Leading, mentoring and allocating work across a team of safety engineers covering several maritime programmes
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Producing and guiding hazard analysis, functional failure analysis and fault tree analysis
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Building safety cases to Def Stan 00-056, and using your judgement on what evidence is genuinely needed to show risk is ALARP
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Working with designers to understand failure mechanisms and push through real risk reduction
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Embedding safety engineering into the systems engineering lifecycle and product certification
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Questioning how things are done today, and improving how the team works as digital engineering changes the pace of development
Why it’s worth a look
The brief is unusually clear: safety should influence the product, not just document it. You’ll have the backing to challenge established approaches and a genuine say in how the function evolves.
The package is strong too. Bonus of up to 21%, pension up to 14% combined, healthcare cash plan, and flexible working is welcomed.
What you’ll need
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A solid track record in systems safety engineering or product safety engineering, in defence or another safety-critical sector (rail, nuclear, aerospace and marine all count)
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Hands-on hazard analysis, fault tree analysis, functional failure analysis, hazard log and safety case experience
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Working knowledge of Def Stan 00-056 or a comparable safety standard
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Experience leading, mentoring or coordinating other engineers
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The confidence to challenge designers and programme leads, and balance technical risk against delivery
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An engineering degree, or equivalent professional experience
Nice to have
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Maritime or naval defence systems experience
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Exposure to international standards such as MIL-STD-882 or IEC 61508
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Formal line management experience
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A real interest in how digital engineering tools change safety assurance
Eligibility
Due to security clearance, you will need to be a current British citizen, or a dual national who holds British citizenship.
