Principal Safety Engineer

Matchtech; Luton; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading engineering recruitment firm is seeking a Lead/Principal Safety Engineer to support the development of advanced systems in the air defence domain. The ideal candidate has a strong background in safety engineering, capable of managing complex interactions and leading safety activities across teams. This role includes providing safety guidance, evaluating hazards, and aligning subsystem safety with aircraft-level requirements. The position offers a 6-month contract based in Luton with 4 days onsite per week.

Qualifications

• Strong systems safety engineering background in safety-critical sectors (preferably aerospace or defence).
• Able to manage complex system interactions and lead multi-disciplinary safety activities.
• Comfortable navigating aircraft-level safety regulations.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert safety guidance to support system safety authorisation.
• Ensure safety activities follow agreed plans and are correctly executed.
• Identify and analyse intrinsic and functional hazards.

Skills

Systems safety engineering background

Managing complex system interactions

Navigating aircraft-level safety regulations

Stakeholder management skills

Safety analysis of high-integrity systems

Leadership of safety work packages

Communication skills

Tools

Cameo

DOORS

Adelard ASCE

Isograph tools

Job description

Overview

Location: Luton (4 days per week onsite). Duration: 6 month contract. Rate: £88.97ph UMB (Inside IR35).

Role details

A major UK defence programme is seeking an experienced Lead/Principal Safety Engineer to support the development and integration of advanced sensor, communications, and non-kinetic effect systems. This role involves working across complex, interdependent subsystems as part of a cutting-edge technology demonstrator programme in the air defence domain.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert safety guidance to support system safety authorisation.
• Ensure safety activities follow agreed plans and are correctly executed.
• Identify and analyse both intrinsic and functional hazards; develop mitigation strategies to reduce risk to ALARP.
• Derive and manage safety requirements across multiple subsystems.
• Review and integrate subsystem safety analyses into a complete system-level assessment.
• Align subsystem safety with aircraft-level safety cases.
• Support and present safety assessments at formal design reviews.

What we are looking for in you

• Strong systems safety engineering background in safety-critical sectors (preferably aerospace or defence).
• Able to manage complex system interactions and lead multi-disciplinary safety activities.
• Comfortable navigating aircraft-level safety regulations.
• Skilled in working across engineering lifecycles and managing stakeholders.
• Safety analysis of complex, high-integrity systems.
• Leadership of safety work packages across multiple teams.
• Familiarity with standards such as ARP4754B, ARP4761A, DO-254, or DO-178C.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

Desirable skills

• Experience with high-complexity design and high-uncertainty environments.
• Knowledge of radar, sensors, lasers, or defensive aid systems.
• Awareness of InfoSec considerations.
• Familiarity with: Cameo, DOORS, Adelard ASCE, or Isograph tools.
• Involvement in safety forums (e.g., IET, SCSC).

Apply today via the link provided.