Autonomous Systems Consultant

Gold Group; Bristol; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consultancy firm is seeking a Senior Autonomous Systems Assurance Consultant in Bristol to lead safety and certification for autonomous vehicles and AI technologies. This role involves mentoring, project oversight, and business development, requiring proven experience in safety assurance within high-integrity domains. The company offers competitive salary, professional development, and hybrid working options.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Annual bonus

Professional membership fees covered

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Flexible and hybrid working options

Company pension scheme

Optional private medical insurance

Life insurance

Cycle-to-work scheme

Qualifications

• Proven experience in autonomous systems or robotics.
• Experience delivering Safety Case Reports and GSN.
• Experience in one or more of the Air, Land, Maritime, Nuclear, or Robotics domains.

Responsibilities

• Lead safety and assurance activities for autonomous systems.
• Conduct system safety analysis for autonomous platforms.
• Oversee delivery of autonomy assurance projects.

Skills

Safety assurance for autonomous or AI-enabled systems

Hazard analysis

Technical paper presentation

Business development

Experience with compliance standards

Education

Relevant engineering or safety qualification

Job description

Senior Autonomous Systems Assurance Consultant

(Autonomous Vehicles * UAS * Robotics * AI/ML Safety * Safety & Certification Engineering)

Are you passionate about the safety and assurance of autonomous vehicles, uncrewed systems, robotics, and AI/ML-enabled technologies? This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing digital safety and autonomy assurance team working at the forefront of next‑generation autonomous platforms across the defence and commercial sectors.

We are seeking a Senior Autonomous Systems Assurance Consultant to lead the safety, certification and assurance of advanced autonomous and machine‑learning‑enabled systems — ensuring they are dependable, regulatory‑compliant, and ready for safe deployment.

What You'll Be Doing

• Technical Delivery:
  • Lead safety and assurance activities for autonomous, uncrewed and AI‑enabled systems, applying industry frameworks such as AMLAS and emerging AI/autonomy safety guidance.
  • Conduct system safety analysis for autonomous platforms, including HAZID, Functional Hazard Assessment (FHA), and STPA.
  • Assess risks related to machine learning, sensor fusion, automated decision‑making, and novel autonomy architectures.
  • Develop structured, evidence‑based Safety Cases (including GSN) for autonomous and remotely‑operated systems.
• Capability Development:
  • Shape the ongoing development of our autonomous systems safety capability, influencing tools, methods and strategic direction.
  • Mentor consultants in autonomy safety techniques and best practice.
• Business Development:
  • Support autonomy‑focused business development, bid writing and client engagement.
  • Act as Bid Manager or technical contributor for autonomy and AI‑related proposals.
  • Build lasting client relationships and represent the company at industry events, conferences and technical forums.
• Project Oversight:
  • Oversee delivery of autonomy assurance projects — ensuring quality, timeliness and budget control.
  • Provide technical review, approval, and oversight of key deliverables.
  • Support project managers in risk identification and mitigation.
  • Travel may be required to customer facilities or partner sites in the UK and occasionally overseas.

What We're Looking For

• Essential
  • Relevant engineering or safety qualification; membership of a professional institution is beneficial.
  • Proven experience in autonomous systems, uncrewed platforms, robotics, AI/ML‑enabled systems, or autonomous vehicle safety assurance, ideally within defence or similar high‑integrity domains.
  • Experience delivering:
    • Safety assurance for autonomous or AI‑enabled systems
    • Safety Case Reports and GSN
    • Hazard analysis and recognised safety/assurance techniques
    • Compliance with autonomy, AI or system safety standards/guidance
    • Experience in one or more of the Air, Land, Maritime, Nuclear or Robotics domains.
  • Experience supporting business development activities or bid writing.
  • Experience presenting technical papers or speaking at industry conferences. (Training can be provided for the right candidate.)
• Security
  • Due to the nature of the work, candidates must be eligible for UK Security Clearance.

What You'll Receive

• Competitive salary and annual bonus (post‑qualifying period).
• Friendly, supportive and collaborative team culture.
• Professional membership fees covered.
• Extensive technical and consultancy training.
• Flexible and hybrid working options.
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays, with options to buy/sell leave.
• Company pension scheme.
• Optional private medical insurance (post‑probation).
• Life insurance.
• Cycle‑to‑work scheme.
• Roles can be based at any of our UK offices with flexibility for hybrid working.

Services advertised by Gold Group are those of an Agency and/or an Employment Business.

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