Lead Systems Safety Engineer – Maritime Defence

Copello; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 63,000 - 77,000; Full time

Job summary

Copello, Bristol-based, is recruiting a Systems Safety Lead to join a leading Defence organisation on permanent basis. The role combines technical leadership with mentoring a team of safety engineers and embedding safety across the engineering lifecycle.

You will shape safety engineering practices, influence design decisions and drive continuous improvement in a safety-critical maritime defence environment.

Qualifications

• Background in systems safety engineering within defence or safety-critical industries.
• Experience applying safety principles to equipment/design.
• Proven leadership and mentoring abilities.
• Knowledge of hazard analysis, safety cases, and risk-reduction evidence.
• Understanding of systems engineering, design, and certification.
• Ability to challenge approaches and improve practices.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Relevant engineering degree or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of safety engineers.
• Provide technical direction across multiple projects.
• Oversee hazard analyses, safety cases, and supporting documentation.
• Apply engineering judgement to assess hazards and risks.
• Integrate safety considerations into product design and lifecycle.
• Influence decisions to embed safety as a core engineering requirement.
• Balance priorities between technical quality, delivery, and team development.
• Identify opportunities to improve safety processes and ways of working.
• Support the team in adapting to evolving practices and digital technologies.
• Promote collaboration and sound engineering decision-making.

Skills

Safety engineering

Leadership

Hazard analysis

Systems engineering

Communication

Stakeholder management

Mentoring

Defence domain knowledge

Education

Engineering degree

Job description

Copello, Bristol-based, is recruiting a Systems Safety Lead to join a leading Defence organisation on permanent basis. The role combines technical leadership with mentoring a team of safety engineers and embedding safety across the engineering lifecycle.

You will shape safety engineering practices, influence design decisions and drive continuous improvement in a safety-critical maritime defence environment.