Principal Safety Assessment Specialist

WISE Campaign; Aldermaston; On-site; GBP 64,000 - 102,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense organization in Aldermaston seeks a Principal Safety Assessment Specialist to oversee safety assessments and manage documentation processes. Ideal candidates will have a background in science or engineering, extensive experience in safety assessments, and strong communication skills. The role offers a competitive salary package and a 9-day working fortnight, promoting a favorable work-life balance, while also requiring a security clearance.

Benefits

9-day working fortnight

Market leading contributory pension scheme

Family friendly policies

Opportunities for Professional Career Development

Life Assurance

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of safety assessment techniques.
• Experience in a nuclear, high hazard and/or highly regulated industry.
• You must be willing to obtain security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the technical input to safety documentation.
• Deliver safety assessments to AWE standards.
• Mentor SAS Assessors and Senior SAS members.

Skills

Excellent interpersonal/communication skills

Extensive experience in safety assessment for radiological, chemical and/or explosive hazards

Flexibility and ability to work to tight deadlines

Education

Degree in a science or engineering based subject or vocational qualification (HND or equivalent)

Professional membership to a relevant chartered body

Job description

Type: Permanent

Position: Principal Safety Assessment Specialist

Location: Aldermaston, England

Industry: Defence and Military

Salary: £64,340 - £101,700 per annum + Pension, 9-Day Fortnight

Closing Date: 26th February 2026

Location: RG7 4PR, located between Reading and Basingstoke, with free onsite parking.

Due to the classified nature of the work involved, there are limited opportunities to work from home in this role. It is anticipated that the successful candidate will spend the majority of their time working on site at AWE Aldermaston.

Package: £64,340 - £101,700 per annum (depending on your suitability, qualifications, and level of experience)

A relocation package may be available (terms and conditions apply).

Working pattern: AWE operates a 9‑day working fortnight. We will consider flexible working requests so that your work may fit in with your lifestyle. Just let us know your preferred working pattern on your application.

Ready to play your part?

At AWE, it’s not just a job, it’s far more than that. Our shared purpose is to help keep the nation safe. Could this role be the opportunity for you to play your part?

At AWE, we are currently recruiting for a Principal Safety Assessment Specialist within the Infrastructure Project Delivery (IPD). This role is tasked with delivering a significant portfolio of conventional, nuclear, explosive and new facilities together with implementing major re‑kits to existing infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the technical input to the planning and production of safety documentation.
• Deliver safety assessments and other technical safety documentation to agreed AWE standards.
• Monitor the production and delivery of safety documentation, using appropriate metrics.
• Ensure the implementing safety documentation requirements meet the standards set in the MSPs.
• Provide technical input to the production of Company and SESH policy, guidance and strategy.
• Provide technical input to the design and/or delivery of technical training.
• Mentor SAS Assessors and Senior SAS members as part of a planned development activity.
• Maintain and promote high personal standards in security, environment, safety and health.
• Lead a Safety Assessment Specialist team in the production, delivery of safety justification/documentation and through the governance process.
• Take ownership of safety justification/documentation as directed by Group Leader, Nuclear Safety or SESH Management.
• Ensure company strategies, policies and management system requirements for safety are communicated and understood.
• Contribute to processes that assess performance of the development and use of safety assessments and Licence Condition compliance and identify where improvements could be made.
• Assist with verification and checking safety documentation.
• Mentor others in safety assessment approaches, documentation and techniques.
• Maintain and promote high standards in security, environment, safety and health.
• Deputise for Group Leader, Nuclear Safety in meetings when requested.
• Fulfil any other reasonable duties aligned to your position from time to time in line with business needs.

Qualifications

• Degree in a science or engineering based subject or vocational qualification (HND or equivalent) and/or extensive practical experience.
• Safety Assessment Specialists are expected to be able to undertake a range of techniques. Extensive knowledge of these techniques is anticipated.
• Excellent interpersonal/communication skills, report and presentation skills.
• Extensive experience in the field of safety assessment for radiological, chemical and/or explosive hazards.
• Experience in a nuclear, high hazard and/or highly regulated industry.
• Experience of several Domains (Management system, Front End, Project design, Commissioning, Operations, Decommissioning), gained within or outside AWE.
• Professional membership to a relevant charted body.
• Application of technical skills across the nuclear lifecycle (project – decommissioning).
• Experience from across the nuclear lifecycle (projects – decommissioning).
• You must be willing and able to obtain and maintain the security clearance required for the role and be willing and able to travel within the UK and overseas if required.
• You will also have initiative, enthusiasm, a flexible approach, and ability to work to tight deadlines.

Benefits

• 9‑day working fortnight – meaning you get every other Friday off work, in addition to 270 hours of annual leave.
• Market leading contributory pension scheme (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your contributions).
• Family friendly policies: Maternity Leave – 39 weeks full pay and Paternity Leave – 4 weeks full pay.
• Opportunities for Professional Career Development including funding for annual membership of a relevant professional body.
• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.
• Life Assurance (4 × annual salary).
• Discounts – access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending.
• Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring.

#LI-KT1