Head of Weapons Ordnance Munitions and Explosives

BAE Systems; Samlesbury; Hybrid; GBP 76,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

BAE Systems is looking for a Head of Weapons Ordnance Munitions & Explosives to oversee Functional Governance and ensure safety compliance in operations involving explosives. You will lead the WOME team and manage key interactions with national and international regulatory bodies while being responsible for developing practices that maintain safety standards.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

Employee share plans

Flexible discounted health and wellbeing benefits

Private health plans

Shopping discounts

Qualifications

• Proven experience in the explosives and firearms domain, military or civilian industry.
• Ability to manage a multidiscipline team and interpret regulations.
• Identify the most appropriate approach to balancing risk against operational requirements.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for Functional Governance (WOME Exposition) and safety culture.
• Ensure compliance with WOME policies and manage lifecycle activities involving explosives.
• Develop a WOME management system to ensure compliance and competence.

Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Communication

Risk Management

Education

Graduate level in Weapons/Explosive Engineering or equivalent experience

Job description

Job Title: Head of Weapons Ordnance Munitions & Explosives

Location: Samlesbury, Preston or Warton – We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements – please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role

Salary: £76,200 depending on experience with executive benefits

What you’ll be doing:

• You will be responsible for ensuring the BAE Systems Saudi Arabia have suitable Functional Governance (WOME Exposition), Subject Matter Expertise, correct working practices, safety culture with organisational personal competence, safety & security
• You will ensure that all activities throughout the produce lifecycle across functional boundaries involving explosives, firearms, and prohibited weapons (WOME) are managed responsibly and do not pose unacceptable risks to safety or security, both in the UK and KSA
• Ensure Business Unit compliance to all applicable internal and external WOME policies, Regulations, Legislation and Terms & Conditions
• You will ensure appropriate regulatory approvals are in place to enable compliance and the business to operate safely and securely
• Maintain and develop a WOME management system (Exposition) to ensure compliance, including Safe Systems of Work where required
• Ensure the organisation maintains appropriate levels of competence and personal authorisations are in place
• You will empower suitable individuals through a system of Letters of delegation
• This will be carried out on behalf of the Engineering Director who will detail this in the position holders Letter of Delegation

Your skills and experiences:

• Educated to graduate level in Weapons/Explosive Engineering (Desirable) or equivalent experience
• Proven experience in the explosive and firearms domain, military or civilian industry with demonstrable experience at management level
• Ability to manage a multidiscipline team that research and interpret National and International Explosive & Firearms Regulatory publications and procedures
• Identify the most appropriate approach to balancing risk against operational requirements and business framework requirements
• Effective, credible communicator with good interpersonal skills, confident interfacing with key stakeholders and contributory areas, e.g., peers, UK MOD, Senior Management and Customer representatives

Desirable:

• Membership of an Engineering Professional Body (Explosive Engineering desirable)

Benefits:

As well as a competitive pension scheme, BAE Systems also offers employee share plans, an extensive range of flexible discounted health, wellbeing and lifestyle benefits, including a green car scheme, private health plans and shopping discounts – you may also be eligible for an annual incentive.

The WOME team:

The Head of Weapons, Ordnance, Munitions & Explosives (WOME) is accountable as the nominated individual on behalf of the BAE Systems Saudi Arabia Organisation (SBDCP and Salam Contracts) to the UK Regulatory Authorities under frameworks for explosive licence holder, Registered Firearms Dealer and named individual on Firearms Prohibited Weapons (Section 5) Approvals.

You are responsible for leading and developing a Team of 3 WOME Engineers based in Riyadh KSA.In addition, you will provide WOME engineering, safety and governance advice and support to the various Project Teams, Functions and other BAE Systems Saudi Arabia Partner Companies.

You are functionally responsible for approximately 240 employees at various Customer locations.

Why BAE Systems?

This is a place where you’ll be able to make a real difference. You’ll be part of an inclusive culture that values diversity of thought, rewards integrity, and merit, and where you’ll be empowered to fulfil your potential. We welcome people from all backgrounds and want to make sure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible. If you have a disability or health condition (for example dyslexia, autism, an anxiety disorder etc.) that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date: 8th July 2025

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

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