Principal Independent Safety Assessment Engineer

RailBays; East Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

AtkinsRéalis is seeking a Principal Independent Safety Assessment Engineer to lead ISA/AsBo activities across major rail projects in the UK. The role covers safety assurance, interoperability, and compliance with EN standards, TSIs and CSM-REA.

You will engage with stakeholders, guide bid efforts and oversee project budgets and schedules. The successful candidate will have extensive rail safety experience, professional status (Chartered Engineer UK) and the ability to operate across Derby,

Qualifications

• Experience delivering independent safety assessment activities as an AsBo/ISA in rail.
• Sound knowledge of CSM-REA and EN ISO 17020 requirements.
• Familiarity with EN standards and railway regulations (TSIs, RIS, RGS).
• Experience in hazard identification and risk assessment techniques.
• RAM analysis and assurance for complex rail projects.
• Authoring and reviewing Safety Assessment Plans and Reports.

Responsibilities

• Act as Independent Safety Approver (AsBo) and ISA across multiple rail projects.
• Develop and implement assurance strategies/plans for projects.
• Engage stakeholders and deliver Independent Safety Assessment & Interoperability activities.
• Support bid writing and pricing to win work; manage project budgets and schedules.

Skills

AsBo/ISA knowledge

EN ISO 17020

CSM-REA familiarity

EN 50126/50128/50129/50716

Hazard analysis (HAZID/HAZOP)

RAM analysis & assurance

Rolling stock & signalling safety

Safety assessment planning

Stakeholder liaison

Bid support & pricing

Project/programme management

Chartered Engineer (UK)

Education

Chartered Engineer (UK)

Relevant professional institution membership

Job description

Principal Independent Safety Assessment Engineer

Required Experience Application and Approval of Independent Safety Assessment activities as an AsBo and ISA in line with the requirements of EN ISO17020 within the rail industry

Job Category RAMS

Posted 27 Sep 2026

Closing Date 31 Oct 2026

Full Job Description

AtkinsRéalis is looking for a highly experienced Railway Engineering Safety Professional to help us deliver our Assessment Body and ISA activities within our Transportation division. AtkinsRéalis work from a range of locations in the UK. This opportunity with the Safety Engineering and Independent Verification Practice is advertised for positions based within our teams in Derby, Birmingham and Manchester; other locations will also be considered. The team works predominantly in the UK rail domain with some work internationally.

Your role

Becoming a Principal Independent Safety Assessment Engineer with us will provide opportunities to:

• Act as an Independent Safety Approver for the delivery of independent safety assurance projects as an Assessment Body (AsBo) under the Common Safety Method for Risk Evaluation and Assessment (CSM‑REA), and as an Independent Safety.
• Assessor (ISA) in accordance with EN 50126, EN 50128, EN 50129, and EN 50716, in line with the requirements of EN ISO 17020, across a number of projects covering all engineering disciplines and lifecycle stages.
• Work with industry‑driving organisations to define and solve problems, challenge resolutions and facilitate our clients’ thinking.
• Work with clients and the wider business to create winning opportunities within the rail industry.
• Collaborate with both internal and external customers to deliver Independent Safety Assessment activities and Interoperability Assurance.
• Engage with stakeholders to ensure that their needs are understood and shape our services in response.
• Support bid writing and pricing to win work.
• Manage programmes and budgets for project delivery.
• Continuously develop your skills and competence to maintain a professional qualification.
• Be a role model for others with regards to fostering an inclusive culture and meeting our business’s processes, policies and values.
• Work across the business to align processes, share knowledge and promote innovation.
• We are looking for systematic thinkers with a proven level of understanding of independent safety assessment activities, methods, process and legislation in the railway industry.

About you

You should have significant evidence of knowledge/experience in a number of key areas, including:

• Application and Approval of Independent Safety Assessment activities as an AsBo and ISA in line with the requirements of EN ISO17020 within the rail industry, including a sound understanding of the requirements of the Common Safety Method for Risk Evaluation and Assessment Regulations and EN 50126, EN 50128, EN 50129, and EN 50716.
• Knowledge of the Application of Railway Standards and legislation such as TSIs, NTSNs, Railway Group Standards (RGS), Railway Industry Standards (RIS), etc.
• Experience of Hazard identification, analysis and risk assessment (e.g. HAZID, HAZOP, FMECA, FTA).
• Application of Reliability, Availability & Maintainability (RAM) analysis and assurance.
• Experience in the authorisation and safety management of rolling stock, signalling, and multidisciplinary rail infrastructure projects.
• Ability to identify the key hazards / issues in a project and assess the mitigations in place to ensure that the risk is adequately addressed.
• Ability to review the requirements, assess the limits of their own competencies/capabilities and recognise when it would be necessary to be assisted by an supporting party.
• Presentations and liaison with approval authorities and/or independent bodies (the ORR, NRAP, SRPs).
• Developing and implementing assurance strategies/plans for projects.
• Authoring, Reviewing and Approving Safety Assessment Plans, Observation logs and Safety Assessment Reports.
• Member of, or in the process of applying for a relevant recognised professional institution (e.g. Chartered Engineer in the UK).

Source

Original vacancy published byAtkinsRéalis.Please refer to the official employerwebsite for current information.