Principal Safety Engineer

Electus Recruitment Solutions; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense recruitment agency is seeking a Functional Safety Engineer to lead safety assurance activities for naval platform management systems. This role involves ensuring compliance with safety standards, conducting audits, and producing technical documentation. The candidate will work in a hybrid environment and must have a strong background in safety engineering and relevant qualifications. A comprehensive benefits package is included, supporting career progression and well-being.

Benefits

Private healthcare

Career development opportunities

Performance bonuses

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• Relevant experience in a safety-related engineering environment.
• Understanding of international and defense standards like IEC 61508.
• Experience with safety assurance of COTS PE based systems.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute safety activities to meet program milestones.
• Lead safety initiatives to ensure compliance with safety targets.
• Conduct safety audits and produce technical documentation.

Skills

Safety assurance

Hazard identification and analysis

Proficiency in FMECA

Functional Failure Analysis

Education

Master’s degree in Engineering or Safety Management

Job description

Functional Safety Engineer | Naval Platform Management Systems

Salary: £55,000 - £75,000 + Benefits

Location: Greater London (Hybrid - 2-3 days a week on-site)

Are you a highly experienced Functional Safety Engineer looking for a challenging role at the forefront of naval defence technology? We are seeking a skilled professional to lead critical safety assurance activities for cutting-edge infrastructure within naval vessel Platform Management Systems. This is an exceptional opportunity to make a tangible impact on the nation’s security, working on both surface ships and submarines.

As a key member of the Safety Engineering team, reporting to the Product Safety Manager, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring the safety, performance, and compliance of mission‑critical systems. Your work will directly contribute to the modern backbone of the Royal Navy.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Reporting to the Product Safety Manager, you will define and execute safety activities and work schedules to meet programme milestones and safety requirements.
• Lead safety initiatives, ensuring customer and derived safety targets are met by system designs, encompassing hardware, software, and firmware aspects.
• Conduct and lead safety audits at internal and external design reviews, as well as safety committee meetings.
• Produce high‑quality technical documentation in line with company and customer procedures.
• Perform in‑depth analysis to positively influence design decisions and proposed solutions from engineering teams.
• Present complex and well‑reasoned safety arguments to internal and external stakeholders, influencing safety considerations.
• Collaborate effectively within multi‑disciplined teams, upholding the highest standards of quality.
• Maintain an awareness of the latest industry standards and best practices, driving continuous improvement.
• Contribute to monthly staff meetings, team briefings, and reports.
• Potentially supervise and mentor more junior employees.
• Undertake occasional travel to customer and sub‑contractor sites within the UK, and sometimes overseas.

Safety Engineering Activities

• Hazard and Operability Studies (HAZOPs)
• Functional Failure Analysis (FFA)
• Fault Tree Analysis (FTA)
• Failure Mode, Effects and Criticality Analysis (FMECA)
• Layer of Protection Analysis (LOPA)

Qualifications & Experience

• Relevant work experience within a safety‑related engineering environment.
• A strong understanding and awareness of international and defence standards, such as IEC 61508 and Def Stan 00 56.
• Experience in safety assurance of COTS PE based systems and/or high integrity software.
• The ability to comprehend hardware and software failure modes, causes, and effects.
• Proficiency in safety/reliability analysis techniques including hazard identification and analysis, FMECA, FTA, and Functional Failure Analysis.
• Experience with tools and techniques used in developing ALARP justifications.
• A Master’s degree, Degree, HND, or HNC in an Engineering or Safety Management related discipline.

Benefits

This role comes with a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your wellbeing and career progression. This includes flexible and hybrid working options, including an optional compressed working schedule with every other Friday off. You will also benefit from private healthcare, excellent career development opportunities, and performance bonuses.

Important Requirements

• UK Citizenship is required for this position, and only British nationals will be considered.
• You must be able to gain and maintain full UK Security Check (SC) clearance.

Employment Type

This is a Permanent Role