At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead complex safety engineering projects across defence domains and influence key decisions.
- Company: Join AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services organisation shaping the future of defence.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salaries, flexible working, and tailored benefits for your lifestyle.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in defence while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in safety engineering within defence and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Are you an experienced, versatile safety engineer looking to lead complex work across multiple defence domains? Do you enjoy shaping proportionate solutions, influencing clients and helping others connect technical evidence with the decisions that matter? We’re expanding our defence safety capability across air, land, maritime, WOME and broader defence roles. Join us to lead high-impact assignments spanning complex acquisition and in-service programmes, digital safety-case transformation, independent assurance, information systems and emerging technologies.
AtkinsRéalis is a world-class engineering services and nuclear organisation delivering some of the most complex and critical programmes across defence, aerospace, nuclear and other highly regulated sectors. Join our established Safety & Environmental Assurance community; knowledge sharing and collaboration are at the heart of what we do.
You’ll benefit from:
- Formal technical assurance, peer review and access to experienced practitioners and subject matter experts.
- Domain Communities of Interest and professional networks.
- Regular team meetings, knowledge-sharing events and informal mentoring.
- Career development support aligned wherever possible to your experience, interests and goals.
We aim to align assignments with your skills, interests and career goals while balancing client and business needs. We welcome experienced applicants from industry, MOD and the Armed Forces, including those returning after a career break.
Assignments could include:
- Technical leadership of safety cases and assurance strategies for complex defence capabilities.
- Digital safety-case and safety-information initiatives that improve traceability, currency and decision support.
- Safety management for pan-domain services, information systems and emerging technologies.
- Assurance reviews, governance improvement and multidisciplinary support to major programmes.
Your role
You will lead significant safety engineering assignments and provide trusted advice to clients and delivery teams. Combining technical depth with practical consultancy, you’ll help teams focus effort on the decisions and evidence that matter most.
- Lead the planning and delivery of safety engineering and safety assurance work packages, balancing quality, schedule and cost.
- Lead the development, maintenance and assurance of safety cases, safety assessments, hazard logs and safety management arrangements.
- Select and apply proportionate safety analysis techniques, and provide technical direction to multidisciplinary teams.
- Develop robust safety arguments and evidence strategies that support informed acceptance and operational decisions.
- Provide clear, pragmatic advice to senior client stakeholders, engineering leaders, suppliers and assurance authorities.
- Review and assure technical outputs, share knowledge with less-experienced colleagues and promote consistent good practice.
- Help develop future work by understanding emerging client needs, strengthening relationships and supporting follow-on activity where appropriate.
- Contribute to capability development, reusable methods, digital approaches and the wider professional community.
About you
Essential experience and attributes:
- Substantial experience delivering safety engineering or safety assurance in a defence environment, gained through industry, MOD or the Armed Forces.
- Experience leading safety cases, safety assessments, hazard-management activities or technically complex work packages.
- Sound knowledge of systems engineering, with the technical judgement to develop proportionate, defensible solutions where information is incomplete or evolving.
- Confident client-facing communication, stakeholder management and production of high-quality technical deliverables.
- A relevant degree, technical qualification or demonstrable equivalent professional experience.
Desirable experience:
- Knowledge of Defence Safety Authority regulations, Def Stan 00-056, JSP 815, Unified SEMS or related domain policy and guidance.
- Experience of Claims, Arguments and Evidence, Goal Structuring Notation, ALARP demonstration or independent assurance.
- Experience helping to shape future requirements or activities, for example by identifying emerging needs, developing options, supporting continuation or follow-on work, or contributing to proposals or bids.
- Professional registration, or active progress towards IEng or CEng, and membership of a relevant institution such as the IET, SaRS, IMechE, IExpE or RAeS.
Rewards & benefits
Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive – at every stage of your life and your career. Enjoy competitive salaries, employee rewards and a brilliant range of benefits you can tailor to suit your own health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle choices. Make the most of a myriad of opportunities for training and professional development to grow your skills and expertise. And combine our hybrid working culture and flexible holiday allowances to balance a great job and fulfilling personal life.
This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. If this is necessary, it will be discussed with you at interview. The vetting process is delivered by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) and may require candidates to provide proof of residency in the UK of 5 years or longer.
We are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they belong - a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive and develop to be the best we can be. So, we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and employee resource groups to support all employees.
As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability. As a Disability Confident Leader, we are committed to offering an interview to all applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria. If you would like to be considered under this commitment, please let us know at the application stage.
Senior Defence Safety Engineer in Cheltenham employer: AtkinsRéalis
AtkinsRéalis is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, particularly within the Secure Government division. Employees benefit from comprehensive professional development opportunities and a commitment to work-life balance, all while contributing to impactful infrastructure transformation projects in the UK. With a focus on autonomy and client engagement, this role offers a rewarding environment for those looking to make a meaningful difference in their careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Defence Safety Engineer in Cheltenham
✨Join Engineering Meetups!
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We think you need these skills to ace Senior Defence Safety Engineer in Cheltenham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Senior Defence Safety Engineer, it’s essential to highlight your technical skills. Include any relevant software or tools you're proficient in on your CV—think CAD software, simulation tools, or programming languages. Don't skimp on any engineering projects you've worked on that demonstrate your ability to solve complex problems.
Focus on Results and Impact:In the engineering world, we love numbers and real-world impact. Quantify your achievements wherever possible—like reducing costs by a certain percentage, improving efficiency, or successfully completing a project ahead of schedule. This gives your future employers at AtkinsRéalis a clear picture of the value you can bring.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to express your passion for engineering and explain why you’re drawn to AtkinsRéalis specifically. Share what aspects of their work excite you and how your values align with theirs. This is your chance to show a bit of personality while keeping it professional!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have any engineering certifications, especially ones that are recognised in your field, make sure to feature them prominently on your CV. They demonstrate not just your knowledge, but also your commitment to professional development, which is something we at StudySmarter value highly.
How to prepare for a job interview at AtkinsRéalis
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with AtkinsRéalis, make sure you're solid on the fundamental engineering principles relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss concepts such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, or structural analysis, depending on the specifics mentioned in the job description. Don’t skip any hands-on projects or coursework; these can be excellent talking points!
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect technical questions or case studies during your interview—after all, engineering is all about solving problems! Prepare a few examples of how you've tackled engineering challenges in the past, whether at university or in any practical experience. Practising with mock technical interviews can really help you articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Relate Your Experience to the Role
In a full-time role, employers like AtkinsRéalis want to see that you can adapt and grow within their team. Be ready to discuss how your previous internships, projects, or studies relate directly to the work you'll be doing. Highlight specific experiences that showcase your collaborative skills and how you've successfully worked within a team environment.
✨Know Your Tools and Software
Most engineering roles require familiarity with specific tools and software. Prepare to talk about your proficiency with programmes like AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks if they’re relevant to the role. Even better, have examples of projects where you’ve used these tools, as it'll demonstrate your hands-on experience and readiness for the job.
