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- Tasks: Lead Functional Safety initiatives and ensure top-notch safety standards at Dstl.
- Company: Join Dstl, a forward-thinking organisation dedicated to defence, security, and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and a fantastic pension scheme with 26% employer contribution.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in safety while working in a diverse and inclusive environment.
- Qualifications: Degree in engineering or equivalent experience; expertise in Safety Integrity Level (SIL) required.
- Other info: UK nationals only; must meet security clearance requirements.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 60000 £ per year.
At Dstl, our vision is to have a modern way of working efficiently, accommodating and enabling our people to create, collaborate and deliver. To do this successfully in this job will require attendance at a Dstl location; Government Departments including wider MoD or Delivery and Mission Partner’s premises for 60% of your working time. Where business needs allow, and with the agreement of your line manager, there may be the option for a combination of workplace and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement.
Job Summary
Are you a Functional Safety Specialist looking for a new challenge? If so, this could be the role for you! In this role you will bring excellent leadership skills with a passion for Health & Safety to play an integral role at Dstl to develop, maintain and evolve Dstl’s built estate. This role requires you to be able to drive the business forward implementing the highest standards of safety, supporting initiatives, and ensuring the continuous improvement within our safety practices and thinking across Dstl to ensure our values are met.
Dstl recognises the importance of diversity and inclusion as people from diverse backgrounds bring fresh ideas. We are committed to building an inclusive working environment in which each employee fulfils their potential and maximises their contribution.
Job Description
In this role you will:
- Provide Functional Safety Leadership For Dstl Including:
- Developing Functional Safety policy and procedures
- Undertaking Functional Safety inspection and auditing activities
- Performing Safety-related systems requirements capture and analysis
- Working with Dstl Operations to develop Functional Safety requirements for new or change building projects
- Supporting investigation of incidents, dangerous occurrences and near-miss investigations involving safety-related systems.
Person specification
We Are Looking For Someone Who Has:
- Proven expertise in Safety Integrity Level (SIL) requirements capture and analysis
- Practical experience and understanding of managing risks in process safety/high hazard environments
Please see full job description for skills and experience. If you have all this, we want to hear from you now! – come join our team and make a difference.
Important Information
Our work in defence, security and intelligence requires our employees to be UK Nationals who are able to gain a high level of security clearance to undertake the projects we are involved in to protect us from security threats. For this reason, only UK Nationals will be able to apply for this role. If you are an international or dual-national candidate, and you think you have the skills we need, please consider applying to any of our government, security or defence partners.
This role will require full UK security clearance and you should have resided in the UK for the past 5 years. For some roles Developed Vetting will also be required, in this case you should have resided in the UK for the past 10 years.
Qualifications
Degree-level qualification in an engineering discipline, or equivalent industrial experience.
Behaviours
We will assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Leadership
- Making Effective Decisions
- Communicating and Influencing
- Seeing the Big Picture
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form: Leadership.
Alongside your salary of £57,297, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory contributes £16,598 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Benefits
Dstl’s full range of great benefits can be found in the information pack which includes:
- Financial: An excellent pension scheme starting from 26% employer contribution.
- In Year Rewarding Achievement bonuses and thank you vouchers.
- Rental deposit scheme and cycle to work scheme.
- Flexible working: Options include alternative working patterns such as; compressed hours, job shares and annualised hours.
- Working hours: Flexibility around your working day.
- Annual leave: 25 days pro rata (rising to 30 after 5 years) plus 8 public holidays with the ability to buy/sell 5 additional days per annum.
- Family: Maternity, adoption or shared parental leave of up to 26 weeks with full pay.
- Learning and Development: Dstl encourages and supports charterships, accreditations and provides employees access to fully funded apprenticeships up to level 7.
- Facilities: Onsite parking, EV Charging points, restaurants, cafés and gyms.
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours and Experience. We want you to have your best chance of success in our recruitment process, so if at any stage of the application process you would like help or assistance please contact the Dstl Recruitment Team.
Sifting will take place week commencing the 23rd June 2025 with interviews to be arranged from the 14th July 2025, interviews will consist of a combined technical & behavioural interview to include a presentation.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check and meet the security requirements before they can be appointed.
Nationality requirements
Open to UK nationals only. This job is not open to candidates who hold a dual nationality.
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition. The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found.
Contact point for applicants:
Job Contact: Name: Dstl HR Recruitment Email: dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk
Health Safety & Environmental Protection (HS&EP) Principal (Functional Safety) employer: Dstl
Contact Detail:
Dstl Recruiting Team
dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Health Safety & Environmental Protection (HS&EP) Principal (Functional Safety)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Dstl's mission and values. Understanding their commitment to safety and diversity will help you align your responses during interviews, showcasing how your personal values resonate with theirs.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare to discuss your leadership experiences in detail. Since the role requires strong leadership skills, think of specific examples where you've successfully led safety initiatives or projects, and be ready to share these during the interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your knowledge of Safety Integrity Level (SIL) requirements. Being able to speak confidently about your practical experience and understanding of managing risks in high hazard environments will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Network with current or former Dstl employees if possible. They can provide insights into the company culture and expectations, which can be invaluable when preparing for your interview and understanding what Dstl truly values in its employees.
We think you need these skills to ace Health Safety & Environmental Protection (HS&EP) Principal (Functional Safety)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the responsibilities and requirements. Highlight key phrases related to Functional Safety and Health & Safety leadership that you can address in your application.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to reflect your experience in Safety Integrity Level (SIL) requirements and risk management in high hazard environments. Use specific examples that demonstrate your expertise and leadership skills relevant to the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that connects your background with Dstl's mission and values. Emphasise your passion for Health & Safety and how your skills align with their goals, particularly in developing and maintaining safety practices.
Showcase Relevant Behaviours: In your application, provide evidence of the behaviours they are looking for, such as Leadership and Making Effective Decisions. Use specific situations from your past experiences to illustrate how you've demonstrated these behaviours.
How to prepare for a job interview at Dstl
✨Understand Functional Safety
Make sure you have a solid grasp of Functional Safety principles, especially Safety Integrity Level (SIL) requirements. Be prepared to discuss your experience in managing risks in high hazard environments and how you've applied these concepts in previous roles.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
Since the role requires excellent leadership skills, think of examples where you've successfully led teams or projects. Be ready to explain how you motivate others and drive safety initiatives forward, aligning with Dstl's vision of continuous improvement.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Expect questions that assess your behaviours, such as making effective decisions and communicating clearly. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses, highlighting specific instances where you've demonstrated these behaviours.
✨Research Dstl and Its Values
Familiarise yourself with Dstl's mission, values, and recent projects. Understanding their commitment to diversity and inclusion will help you align your answers with their culture, showing that you're not just a fit for the role but also for the organisation.
