Lead Safety Engineer

Leonardo; Newcastle; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private healthcare

Dental

Family cover

Tech & lifestyle discounts

Gym memberships

Flexible benefits

Job summary

Leonardo UK is seeking a Lead Safety Engineer to join the Design Integrity function within the Radar and Advanced Targeting Systems line, hybrid from Edinburgh or Newcastle with regular site travel. The role focuses on robust safety governance across product testing, equipment safety certification, and regulatory compliance from concept through to certification, ensuring safe, compliant systems.

You'll work with Systems and Sector Engineering Safety Managers to define safety requirements and

Qualifications

• Experience applying safety tools and techniques within Electronics or Avionics disciplines.
• Knowledge of regulatory and certification standards in safety engineering.
• Proven track record in safety and environmental governance across product lifecycles.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Systems Engineering and Sector Engineering Safety Managers to achieve project safety requirements.
• Define Product Safety and Environmental requirements (contractual, legal and regulatory).
• Plan and execute test programmes addressing design safety considerations.
• Ensure test equipment safety certification and readiness for test.
• Support lifecycle readiness reviews including Design Certification Reviews.
• Provide independent assessment through Product Design Reviews.
• Offer specialist Product Safety and Environmental guidance within Test Engineering.
• Participate in Product Safety Panels and manage safety data in corrective action systems.

Skills

Hazard Log Management

Hazard Identification

Functional Failure Analysis

Fault Tree Analysis

Risk Assessment

ALARP justifications

Electronic testing standards

Test engineering experience

Product Safety governance

Education

Honours degree in engineering or science (2:1 or higher)

Tools

RTCA/DO-178C knowledge

RTCA/DO-254 knowledge

AR P4754 alignment

Job description

Job Description

Salary: £60,000 - £80,000

Leonardo UK operates a grade-based salary framework with broad bands. The salary range shown reflects the approved grade band for this role, or a narrower hiring range published within that band, and is benchmarked against the external market. Exceptions above the standard range are managed through governance controls to protect internal equity.

Your Impact

Within our Radar and Advanced Targeting Systems (RATS) line of business, we deliver world-class innovative multi-role surveillance radars and countermeasure systems that help protect people and nations.

We are seeking a Lead Safety Engineer to join our Design Integrity function, to support the Test Engineering department. In this key role, you will ensure that robust safety governance is applied across all activities, meeting both internal standards and external legal and regulatory requirements. As a Lead Safety Engineer, you will lead on test safety and product test equipment safety, taking ownership from early concept through to certification. By embedding safety, environmental, and regulatory considerations throughout the entire lifecycle, you will help ensure our solutions are safe, compliant, and delivered to the highest standards.

Please note the role is working on a hybrid basis (a minimum of three days per week onsite) from either our Edinburgh or Newcastle sites. Regular travel between both sites will be required.

What you will do as Lead Safety Engineer:

• Collaborate withSystems Engineeringand Sector Engineering Safety Managers to ensure project safety requirements are achieved.
• Define Product Safety and Environmental requirements (product, contractual, legal and regulatory).
• Participate in the planning and execution of test programmes to address design safety considerations.
• Ensure test equipment safetycertification(jigs, fixtures, electrical, electronic, optical and RF test equipment and facilities) and readiness for test, supporting Declaration of Design and Performance compliance.
• Support lifecycle readiness reviews including DesignCertificationReviews.
• Provide independent assessment through Product Design Reviews.
• Provide specialist Product Safety and Environmental guidance withinTest Engineering.
• Participate in Product Safety Panels and manage safety and environmental incident data within corrective action systems.

What you’ll bring

• Ideally Chartered Engineer status, and a 2:1 or higher in a relevant engineering or science-based honours degree.
• Experience applying safety tools and techniques withinElectronicsor Avionics disciplines, includingHazard Log Management, Hazard Identification,Functional Failure Analysis,Fault Tree Analysis,Risk AssessmentandALARP justifications.
• Knowledge of electronic testing standards and compliance requirements.
• Experience inIntegration, Test, Evaluation and Acceptance processes for complex systems.
• Experience ofverificationand testing aligned to ARP4754 or equivalent standards.
• Experience supportingcertificationto RTCA/DO-178C Level C and/or RTCA/DO-254 Level C, or equivalent in adjacent regulated sectors.
• Experience achieving Product Safetycertificationin regulated environments.

This is not an exhaustive list, and we are keen to hear from you even if you might not have experience in all the above. The most important skill is a good attitude and willingness to learn.

Security Clearance

This role is subject to pre-employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). An additional range of Personnel Security Controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV) may apply, this could include meeting the eligibility requirements for The Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV). For more information and guidance please visit: https://careers.uk.leonardo.com/gb/en/security-and-vetting

Why join us

At Leonardo, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We offer a comprehensive, company-funded benefits package that supports your wellbeing, career development, and work–life balance. Whether you’re looking to grow professionally, care for your health, or plan for the future, we’re here to help you thrive.

Time to Recharge

Enjoy generous leave with the opportunity to accrue up to 12 additional flexi-days each year.

Secure your Future

Benefit from our award‑winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.

Your Wellbeing Matters

Free access to mental health support, financial advice, and employee‑led networks championing inclusion and diversity (Enable, Pride, Equalise, Armed Forces, Carers, Wellbeing and Ethnicity).

Rewarding Performance

All employees at management level and below are eligible for our bonus scheme.

Never Stop Learning

Free access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.

Refer a friend

Receive a financial reward through our referral programme.

Tailored Perks

Spend up to £500 annually on flexible benefits including private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, gym memberships and more.

Flexible working

Flexible hours with hybrid working options. For part time opportunities, please talk to us about what might be possible for this role.

For a full list of our company benefits please visit our website.

Leonardo is a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security. Headquartered in Italy, we employ over 53,000 people worldwide including 8,500 across 9 sites in the UK. Our employees are not just part of a team—they are key contributors to shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety.

At Leonardo we are committed to building an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming workplace. We believe that a diverse workforce sparks creativity, drives innovation, and leads to better outcomes for our people and our customers. If you have any accessibility requirements to support you during the recruitment process, just let us know.

Primary Location

GB - Edinburgh

Additional Locations

GB - Newcastle

Contract Type

Permanent

Hybrid Working

Hybrid