System Safety Engineer – Defence

Alten Group; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private Medical Insurance

Cycle & Tech Scheme

Employee assistance programme

Life insurance

Pension Scheme

Social gatherings

Flexible working

Job summary

ALTEN Group (UK) is seeking a Senior Systems Safety Engineer to support the next‑generation combat air capability. You will define and deliver safety cases for Flight Control Systems, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and suppliers on safety‑critical aerospace programmes.

The role requires experience in safety case development, fault tree analyses, ALARP/SFAIRP principles, and strong technical writing. On‑site with SC clearance eligibility and flexible working where possible.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering safety engineering in safety‑critical aerospace/defence environments.
• Proven ability to develop safety cases and perform safety assurance activities.
• Experience creating or reviewing fault tree analyses and safety assessments.

Responsibilities

• Develop, drive and deliver safety case artefacts for advanced aerospace programmes.
• Maintain and progress safety cases throughout the product lifecycle.
• Review faults trees and safety documentation; drive actions to closure.

Skills

Systems safety engineering

Safety case development

FTA & SAR

ALARP & SFAIRP

Systems engineering lifecycle

Stakeholder engagement

Technical writing

Communication

Multidisciplinary coordination

Education

BSc or MSc in Engineering

Tools

Jira

Job description

System Safety Engineer – Defence

ALTEN is a global engineering and technology consultancy operating across over 35 countries worldwide. We partner with industry leaders across sectors including Aeronautics, Aerospace, Defence, Naval, Automotive, Energy, Rail, IT and many more to deliver innovative engineering solutions that drive technological advancement & support sustainable transformation.

Our teams of passionate and agile engineers work on cutting-edge projects that shape the future of technology and sustainability. At ALTEN, we empower talented engineers to innovate, solve complex challenges, and deliver impactful solutions that build tomorrow’s world—today.

Join us and start building tomorrow’s world today!

ALTEN UK is seeking a Senior Systems Safety Engineer to support the development of next‑generation combat air capability, working on some of the UK’s most advanced aerospace programmes. You’ll play a pivotal role in defining and delivering the safety cases for innovative Flight Control Systems, supporting cutting‑edge aircraft technologies that will influence future air platforms for decades to come.

Working at the forefront of aerospace engineering, you’ll collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, technical specialists, and suppliers to ensure complex safety‑critical systems are developed, assessed, and integrated safely. This is an opportunity to contribute to highly innovative programmes, tackle challenging engineering problems, and play a key role in the delivery of future flight technologies.

Location: Bristol
On‑site Requirement: 3 Days Per Week
Seniority: Senior (5+ Years’ Experience)
Security Clearance: Candidates must be willing and eligible to obtain SC clearance.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, drive, and deliver safety case artefacts for advanced aerospace and flight systems programmes.
• Support the creation, maintenance, and progression of system safety cases throughout the product lifecycle.
• Review and update Fault Tree Analyses (FTA), Safety Assessment Reports, and supporting safety documentation.
• Develop robust qualitative safety arguments, including ALARP and SFAIRP justifications.
• Liaise with technical subject matter experts to ensure safety requirements and evidence are appropriately captured and documented.
• Support technical investigations, driving safety‑related actions through to closure.
• Engage with suppliers and stakeholders to resolve emerging safety issues as systems mature.
• Report on safety case progress and support governance and technical review activities.
• Participate in safety and platform integration working groups, contributing to programme‑level safety objectives.
• Support senior reviews of safety concerns and recommend appropriate routes to resolution.

Required Skills

• Experience delivering Systems Safety Engineering activities within a safety‑critical aerospace, defence, or highly regulated environment.
• Strong understanding of safety case development and safety assurance processes.
• Experience producing or reviewing Fault Tree Analyses and supporting safety assessments.
• Knowledge of qualitative safety arguments, including ALARP and SFAIRP principles.
• Understanding of systems engineering processes and lifecycle development.
• Ability to manage multiple safety activities and coordinate inputs from multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong technical writing and documentation skills.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills.

Soft Skills & Collaboration

• Strong communication and relationship‑building skills.
• Ability to challenge assumptions and influence technical discussions constructively.
• Proactive, collaborative, and solution‑focused approach.
• Comfortable working within fast‑paced engineering programmes.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, or relevant technical military background with equivalent experience.

Desirable Skills

• Experience supporting aircraft or Flight Control Systems development.
• Knowledge of aerospace safety assessment methodologies and standards.
• Experience producing Safety Assessment Reports (SARs) or System Safety Assessment Reports (SSARs).
• Familiarity with Agile ways of working and tools such as Jira.
• Chartered Engineer status or working towards professional registration.
• Experience supporting advanced air systems, combat air, or future aerospace platform development programmes.

Why join us?

We bring together entrepreneurial, tech‑driven people to deliver innovative solutions for leading companies.

At ALTEN, you’ll work on exciting projects, supported by ongoing learning, mentoring, and clear career development tailored to your goals.

Join a passionate team and help build tomorrow, today.

In short you get:

• A personalised career path and a rewarding management style
• A huge diversity of engineering projects and industries
• Private Medical Insurance
• Cycle & Tech Scheme
• Employee assistance programme
• Life insurance & Pension Scheme
• Social atmosphere, regular gatherings & team buildings
• Flexible way of working (role dependent)

We are proud to support the Armed Forces Covenant & actively encourage applications from members of the Armed Forces community, including veterans, reservists, service leavers, and military spouses/partners. We recognise the value of military skills and experience and are committed to ensuring that no applicant is unfairly disadvantaged during our recruitment and selection processes.

ALTEN is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and values the strength that comes from a global mix of backgrounds and perspectives. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, regardless of background or protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.

This role may require you to have or be willing to go through Security Clearance. As part of the onboarding process candidates will be asked to complete a Baseline Personnel Security Standard; details of the evidence required to apply may be found on the government website Gov.UK. If you are unable to meet this and any associated criteria, then your employment may be delayed, or rejected . Details of this will be discussed with you at interview.