Safety Engineering Manager in Chesterfield

The company is a fast‑growing deep‑tech start‑up building the next generation of safety technology that enables complex autonomous and AI‑driven systems to operate safely in the real world. Its software provides a trust layer for physical AI and autonomous platforms, ensuring they behave safely, predictably and in line with demanding regulatory standards across sectors such as aerospace, robotics and advanced mobility. The organisation is on a mission to set new industry benchmarks for safe, compliant and high‑performance autonomous systems, and is looking for people who are energised by solving hard, meaningful problems in a start‑up environment.

The business is seeking an experienced Safety Engineering Manager to lead safety activities for its cutting‑edge assurance products for autonomous and AI‑enabled systems. The role holder will play a key part in ensuring the platform meets stringent safety and certification requirements, helping customers deploy advanced autonomy safely and with confidence. The Safety Engineering Manager will combine deep domain expertise in safety‑critical systems with a hands‑on, collaborative approach, working closely with systems, software, hardware and machine learning teams. This is a high‑impact position with significant ownership and the opportunity to shape safety engineering practices, tooling and standards from the ground up.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and perform safety analyses such as HAZOP, FHA, FTA and FMECA for the company’s autonomy assurance products and components.
• Develop safety requirements, safety cases and safety‑critical system architectures in line with relevant industry standards and best practice.
• Ensure compliance with applicable safety and certification standards (e.g. DO‑178C, DO‑254, ISO 26262, IEC 61508 and domain‑specific AI/robotics safety guidance).
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams (systems architecture, software, hardware, ML) to embed safety considerations across the full product lifecycle.
• Support safety reviews, audits and certification activities, including engagement with regulators and independent assurance bodies.
• Establish and continuously improve safety engineering plans, processes, tools and ways of working as the company scales.
• Provide technical leadership, mentoring and guidance to more junior engineers and peers on safety engineering topics.

Candidate profile

• Degree (BSc/MSc/PhD) in Safety Engineering, Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or a related discipline, with a focus on safety‑critical systems.
• Significant experience delivering safety‑critical systems in domains such as aerospace, robotics, autonomous systems, automotive or similar regulated industries.
• Strong knowledge of safety engineering methods and tools (e.g. FHA, FTA, HAZOP, FMECA, safety case development).
• Deep understanding of safety‑critical software and hardware development and certification standards (e.g. DO‑178C, DO‑254, ISO 26262, IEC 61508).
• Familiarity with emerging safety standards and guidance for AI and robotics is highly advantageous (e.g. ISO/IEC TR 24028, IEEE P7009).
• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving and decision‑making skills, with the ability to balance rigour with pragmatism in a fast‑moving environment.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with experience working in multi‑disciplinary teams.
• Comfortable in a start‑up setting, enjoying ownership, learning fast, wearing multiple hats and occasionally going the extra mile when required.

Rewards and benefits

• Competitive compensation package commensurate with experience.
• Salary sacrifice pension scheme with matched company contribution.
• Access to EV car and cycle‑to‑work schemes.
• The opportunity to work on genuinely novel technology shaping the future of safe autonomous and AI‑driven systems, with a high degree of impact and visibility.
• A collaborative, high‑energy environment where curiosity, safety and commitment are core values.