Senior Autonomous Systems Safety Engineer in London

Are you an experienced safety engineer specialising in autonomous and AI-enabled physical systems? Do you want to lead technically demanding work, shape emerging assurance approaches and help clients introduce autonomy safely into complex defence platforms and operating environments? We are expanding our autonomous systems safety capability – join us and lead and deliver safety engineering and assurance across uncrewed, robotic, decision-support and AI-enabled capabilities spanning air, land, maritime and weapons domains.

AtkinsRéalis is a world-class engineering services and nuclear organisation delivering complex and critical programmes across defence, aerospace, nuclear and other highly regulated sectors. Knowledge sharing and collaboration are at the heart of our Safety & Environmental Assurance community where you’ll benefit from:

• formal technical assurance, peer review and access to experienced safety, systems, software and autonomy practitioners;
• domain Communities of Interest and professional networks;
• regular team meetings, knowledge-sharing events and informal mentoring.

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, the Armed Forces and other highly regulated sectors, including those returning after a career break.

Assignments could include:

• safety engineering and assurance for autonomous, uncrewed, robotic and AI-enabled defence capabilities;
• development and assurance of safety cases, assurance arguments and evidence strategies for autonomous capabilities integrating platforms, sensors, actuators, control systems, software and data;
• hazard analysis and risk management using established and emerging methods, including STPA, FHA and Bow Tie analysis;
• simulation, modelling, scenario-based testing and other evidence used to support acceptance of autonomous behaviour;
• application and development of assurance approaches for autonomous and AI-enabled systems, drawing on relevant standards and guidance such as AMLAS, SACE, PAS 8800, ISO 26262 and ISO 21448;
• development of proportionate assurance approaches where technology, evidence and policy are evolving.

Your role

You will lead and deliver autonomous systems safety assignments, providing trusted advice to clients and multidisciplinary teams. The role may be appointed at Senior or Principal level, with the scope, leadership expectations and wider capability responsibilities calibrated to the successful candidate's experience.

• Lead or support the planning and delivery of safety engineering and safety assurance work packages for autonomous and AI-enabled physical systems, balancing quality, schedule and cost.
• Lead the development, maintenance and assurance of safety cases, safety assessments, hazard logs and structured assurance arguments.
• Select and apply proportionate hazard-analysis and assurance approaches suited to complex behaviours, human-autonomy interaction, platform and control-system integration, and uncertain operating environments.
• Derive, allocate, trace and verify safety requirements across the platform, sensors, actuators, control systems, software, data, integration and operational elements.
• Develop evidence strategies that combine analysis, simulation, modelling, scenario-based testing, trials and operational evidence as appropriate.
• Provide clear, evidence-based advice to clients, engineering leaders, regulators, assurance bodies, suppliers and other decision-makers.
• Work with platform, systems, software, hardware, control, human factors, data and domain specialists to ensure that safety considerations are integrated across the engineering lifecycle.
• Review and assure technical outputs, guide multidisciplinary teams and promote consistent good practice.
• Contribute to capability development, reusable methods, professional networks and future work, including bids and proposals where appropriate.

About you

Essential experience and attributes:

• Strong experience delivering safety engineering or safety assurance for autonomous, robotic, uncrewed or similarly complex physical systems in defence, aerospace, automotive or another safety-critical sector, including consideration of software, hardware and operational integration.
• Experience leading or making a significant contribution to safety cases, safety assessments, hazard-management activities, assurance arguments or technically complex work packages.
• Sound knowledge of systems engineering, hazard and risk management, safety requirements and evidence-based assurance across the engineering lifecycle.
• Technical judgement to develop proportionate, defensible approaches where technology, evidence or policy is incomplete or evolving.
• Confident communication with technical and non-technical stakeholders, together with a relevant degree, technical qualification or demonstrable equivalent professional experience.

Desirable experience:

• Knowledge of UK Defence safety frameworks, standards and assurance expectations, including Def Stan 00-056 and Def Stan 00-055.
• Experience applying relevant safety and assurance approaches to autonomous, AI-enabled or similarly complex systems where software and intelligent behaviour interact with physical equipment and the operating environment.
• Experience of uncrewed, robotic, multi-agent, mission-critical or high-integrity systems, or of supporting certification, acceptance, independent assurance or engagement with regulators and assurance authorities.
• Professional registration, or active progress towards IEng or CEng, and experience contributing to capability development or future work.

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.