Rail Safety Risk & System Assurance Lead

Arup; Leeds; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Arup is seeking an Associate, Safety Risk & System Assurance - Rail to lead projects ensuring safety risk is understood, mitigated and demonstrated across the rail lifecycle. You will shape safety assurance strategies, manage client relationships and mentor team members while delivering high‑quality safety outcomes.

You will engage across train control, signalling, infrastructure and operations, applying first‑principles engineering alongside standards where guidance evolves, and you will

Qualifications

• Chartered Engineer with membership of a relevant professional institution (IET, IMechE, SARS).
• Holds a degree in engineering, mathematics, science or a related discipline, or equivalent experience.
• Significant experience in leading system safety and risk programmes in rail; delivering safety cases and safety justifications; leading safety argumentation across lifecycle stages.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of rail safety assurance and risk work on projects or major work packages, setting direction and quality expectations.
• Own safety management activities including hazard identification, safety case development, and assurance planning across lifecycle stages.
• Apply safety analysis techniques (e.g., HAZID, HAZOP, FMECA, FTA) and risk modelling approaches as appropriate.
• Resolve complex technical issues with robust, proportionate, defensible solutions.
• Lead engagement with Independent Safety Assessors/AsBo and manage independent assurance interfaces.

Skills

Rail safety

Risk assessment

Leadership

Hazard analysis

Safety case

UK standards

ISA liaison

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Job description

Arup is seeking an Associate, Safety Risk & System Assurance - Rail to lead projects ensuring safety risk is understood, mitigated and demonstrated across the rail lifecycle. You will shape safety assurance strategies, manage client relationships and mentor team members while delivering high‑quality safety outcomes.

You will engage across train control, signalling, infrastructure and operations, applying first‑principles engineering alongside standards where guidance evolves, and you will