Engineering Manager (System Safety) - Land Systems

Location: Bristol (Hybrid working arrangements available)

Rate: Up to £770 per day (Inside IR35)

Duration: Initial contract until 31/03/2026

Clearance: Active SC Clearance (Sole UK Nationals Only)

Deadline for Applications: 12:00 on 28/11/2025

The Role

We are recruiting for an Engineering Manager (System Safety) to join a major UK defence organisation within their Land Systems operating centre.

This is a strategic position. Unlike standard safety engineering roles that focus purely on artifact production, this role requires a Systems Thinker. You will provide expert advice and lead the management of technical safety solutions across complex platforms and equipment.

You will be responsible for ensuring that safety solutions are successfully integrated into the current enterprise while managing corporate risk and minimizing negative impacts. You will operate at the intersection of engineering management and safety specialist advice, empowering teams to identify and raise concerns regarding technical and project risk.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Safety Leadership: Lead the development of improved risk management methods to embed safety and environmental priorities into the design phase and ensure compliance.
• Technical Authority: Authorise technical data input and changes to support the maturity of engineering documentation, focusing on successful technical outcomes at a portfolio level.
• System Safety Management: Oversee the delivery of Acquisition Safety policy and solutions, including the through-life management of project safety risk.
• Assurance & Governance: Carry out 1st party independent assurance reviews and facilitate the delivery team's Safety Management System (SMS).
• Stakeholder Management: Manage trade-offs with sub-system teams and specialists over technical requirements and design compromises to maximize successful system implementation.
• Consultancy: Provide expert guidance on legislation, regulation, policy, and standards (including Quality, Safety, Security, and Sustainability).

Skills & Experience

Essential:

• Nationality & Clearance: Due to the nature of the work, candidates must be sole UK Nationals and hold active SC Clearance.
• Safety Management Systems (SMS): You must be a Suitably Qualified and Experienced Person (SQEP) with practitioner level experience in Safety Management Systems.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Strong working knowledge of Defence safety regulations, including ASEMS (Acquisition Safety and Environmental Management System), POSMS (Project Oriented Safety Management System), and DSA Regulations.
• Risk Management: Proven experience in hazard log management, threat management, and rationalising/evidencing safety arguments (Safety Case).
• Engineering Leadership: Experience providing technical advice at a senior level and leading the delivery of engineering outcomes in multidisciplinary projects.

Desirable:

• Professional Registration: Chartered Engineer (CEng) or equivalent (e.g., CPhys, CITP) with a relevant professional body.
• Domain Knowledge: While this role sits within Land Systems, experience in Aviation/Airworthiness (MAA, CAA) is beneficial for complex integration projects.
• Analytical Techniques: Familiarity with Fault Tree, Event Tree, and BowTie assessments.

The Offer

This is an opportunity to work at the Professional I (P1) grade, a senior tier within the Engineering function. You will be instrumental in delivering safe, suitable equipment to Front Line Commands.

• Rate: Up to £770/day (Inside IR35).
• Location: Bristol (with hybrid working options).
• Contract: Initial engagement until 31st March 2026.