Principal Safety Consultant – Weapons

Overview

In this Principal Safety Engineer role, you will shape safety strategy for complex weapons programmes and lead rigorous hazard analyses across the full lifecycle. You will produce clear safety arguments and assurance evidence for customers and senior stakeholders, working in a collaborative team of safety and systems experts. You will influence design decisions and trials, mentoring junior engineers while maintaining autonomy. This role offers high-impact work on critical defence programmes within a trusted consultancy environment.

Responsibilities

• Define and implement Safety Management Systems (SMS) and Safety Management Plans (SMP) for complex weapons programmes
• Develop Safety Case Reports (SCRs) and supporting evidence to demonstrate ALARP
• Own and maintain hazard logs with traceability from hazards to controls and residual risk
• Lead Functional Hazard Analysis (FHA) and Physical Hazard Analysis to influence design and trials
• Provide technical leadership, conduct peer reviews of safety outputs, and mentor junior engineers

Key requirements

• Substantial safety engineering experience (typically ~10+ years) within defence or other safety-critical environments
• Proven track record developing SMS, SMPs, and Safety Case Reports
• Strong capability in hazard log creation, structure, management, and assurance
• Practical experience undertaking FHA and Physical Hazard Analysis
• Stakeholder engagement skills and ability to articulate complex safety issues clearly
• Current active UK Security Check (SC) clearance or ability to obtain it

• Stakeholder engagement
• Clear communication
• Mentoring and leadership
• Safety Management Systems (SMS)
• Safety Management Plans (SMP)
• Safety Case Reports (SCR)

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