Principal Safety Engineer
UK Defence / Weapons Systems
UK Citizenship required
Location: Bristol (Hybrid/Flexible - Onsite approx. 1 day every 2 weeks)
Position Type: Permanent
Salary: £65,000 - £75,000 + Benefits
Start Date: ASAP
Security Clearance: Active UK Security Clearance (SC) required
Role Overview
An exceptional opportunity for a Principal Safety Engineer to take a leading role in the safety engineering of complex weapons and Ordnance, Munitions, and Explosives (OME) programmes.
Working across the full system lifecycle, you will shape safety strategy, lead hazard analysis, construct robust safety arguments, and provide clear assurance evidence to customers and senior stakeholders. In this role, you will be trusted to apply your domain expertise with autonomy while benefiting from the support of a collaborative, close-knit team of safety and systems engineering specialists.
What You'll Achieve
Lead Safety Delivery: Define and implement proportionate Safety Management Systems (SMS) and Safety Management Plans (SMP) for complex weapons programmes.
Develop Compelling Safety Arguments: Produce Safety Case Reports (SCRs) and supporting evidence that clearly demonstrate risks are understood and controlled to ALARP.
Own Hazard Management: Create, structure, and maintain comprehensive hazard logs with clear traceability from identified hazards through to controls, evidence, and residual risk.
Influence Design & Trials: Lead Functional Hazard Analysis (FHA) and Physical Hazard Analysis, ensuring safety considerations shape core engineering and trials decisions.
Provide Technical Leadership: Guide customers and engineering teams, conduct rigorous peer reviews of safety outputs, and mentor junior and mid-level engineers.
What You'll Bring
Experience: Substantial safety engineering experience (typically ~10+ years) within defence or another complex, safety-critical environment.
Safety Management Systems: Proven track record developing SMS, SMPs, and Safety Case Reports.
Hazard Log Ownership: Strong capability in hazard log creation, structure, management, and overall assurance.
Analysis Techniques: Practical experience undertaking Functional Hazard Analysis (FHA) and Physical Hazard Analysis.
Stakeholder Engagement: The confidence to lead technical packages, engage key customers, and articulate complex safety issues clearly.
Desirable Skills & Knowledge
Direct weapons safety experience and working knowledge of Ordnance, Munitions, and Explosives (OME).
Experience producing, evaluating, or reviewing Trials Safety Assessments.
Familiarity with relevant safety and integrity standards such as ARP4761 and/or IEC 61508 (alongside core standards like Def Stan 00-056).
Qualifications, Working Pattern & Clearance
Education: Engineering degree or equivalent relevant professional experience.
Security Clearance: Current active UK Security Check (SC) clearance is required.
Location & Flexibility: Hybrid working model with periodic travel to secure facilities in Bristol (approximately once every two weeks for meetings and security sensitive activity).
Why Join Our Team?
Join a growing, high-calibre engineering consultancy where senior engineers are given the trust and autonomy to lead, influence client strategy, and shape project delivery. You will work on technically demanding, high-profile weapons programmes, gain broad experience across varied assignments, and enjoy clear scope to progress your career while mentoring the next generation of safety professionals.
Services advertised by Gold Group are those of an Agency and/or an Employment Business.
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