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- Tasks: Lead airworthiness activities and ensure safety in defence engineering projects.
- Company: Join a dynamic organisation focused on defence engineering and safety assurance.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, flexible hours, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on safety and airworthiness in mission-critical environments.
- Qualifications: DAOS signatory experience and a solid background in Defence/Aerospace are essential.
- Other info: No direct reports, but strong mentoring and technical leadership responsibilities.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Airworthiness and System Safety Manager
Bristol (Hybrid – typically 2-3 days/week on site)
Clearance: SC required (BPSS to start acceptable) – British Nationals only – no dual nationalities due to SUKEO/ITAR constraints
Do you have DAOS signatory experience and a proven track record of delivering safety-led design in defence environments?
We\’re seeking a highly capable Airworthiness and System Safety Manager to drive system safety, airworthiness, and environmental assurance within our defence engineering projects.
This is a critical technical role that requires deep expertise in Defence Standards, DAOS certification, and safety leadership. While the role has no direct reports, you\’ll play a vital coaching and governance function across multiple business units and directly advise the Engineering Director on approvals and risk balance.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead DAOS-related airworthiness activity in accordance with MAA Regulatory Articles (e.g., RAs 1014 & 5850)
- Develop and govern safety & environmental engineering policies, processes, and artefacts (SEMPs, Hazard Logs, SECRs)
- Drive best practices in compliance with Def Stan 00-55/56 and other regulatory frameworks
- Actively lead and review safety design across projects
- Support project teams through design reviews, safety audits, and risk assessments
- Act as a technical mentor to engineers, guiding safe design and delivery principles
- Advise senior stakeholders on approvals, compliance, and risk trade-offs
- Contribute to internal training and safety culture development
- Occasional travel to Engineering Services Ltd (approx. quarterly)
What We\’re Looking For
- DAOS signatory or prior delegate experience is essential
- Solid Defence/Aerospace background, ideally including DE&S or MOD acquisition exposure
- Hands-on experience leading and reviewing safety cases and design safety analysis
- Confident advising senior stakeholders (including Engineering Directors) on airworthiness and approvals
- Strong grasp of system safety principles, hazard management, and certification standards
- Ability to coach, challenge and influence teams across business units
- An environmental mindset and awareness of sustainability considerations in system design
- Chartered Engineer (CEng) is desirable – support available to achieve
- Skilled in balancing project delivery with compliance and risk
Why This Role?
- Key position with strategic influence – shape safety and airworthiness across the business
- Hybrid, flexible working with emphasis on trust and effectiveness
- No line management, but strong technical leadership and mentoring responsibility
- Potential for growth, based on project and bid opportunities (no guaranteed pathway, but clear scope)
- Help shape a growing organisation\’s future airworthiness and safety posture
This is not a checkbox role – it\’s about taking ownership, providing assurance, and embedding safe, compliant, and forward-thinking design in mission-critical environments.
Ready to take the lead? Apply today or message us directly.
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Airworthiness and System Safety Manager employer: Defence
Contact Detail:
Defence Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Airworthiness and System Safety Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific Defence Standards mentioned in the job description, such as Def Stan 00-55/56. Understanding these standards will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to compliance and safety in defence environments.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the defence sector, particularly those who have experience with DAOS signatory roles. Engaging with industry peers can provide insights into the role and may even lead to referrals or recommendations.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your hands-on experience with safety cases and design safety analysis. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've led safety audits or risk assessments in previous roles, as this will highlight your practical expertise.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your ability to mentor and influence teams by preparing anecdotes that illustrate your coaching style. Highlighting your experience in guiding engineers on safe design principles will resonate well with the responsibilities of this role.
We think you need these skills to ace Airworthiness and System Safety Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience with DAOS signatory roles and safety-led design in defence environments. Use specific examples that demonstrate your expertise in Defence Standards and airworthiness.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, emphasise your hands-on experience with safety cases and design safety analysis. Mention your ability to advise senior stakeholders and your understanding of compliance and risk management.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: If you have a Chartered Engineer (CEng) status or relevant certifications, make sure to include these prominently. Discuss how your qualifications align with the requirements of the role.
Showcase Leadership and Mentoring Skills: Since the role involves coaching and governance, provide examples of how you've successfully mentored teams or influenced project outcomes in previous positions. This will demonstrate your capability in technical leadership.
How to prepare for a job interview at Defence
✨Showcase Your DAOS Experience
Make sure to highlight your DAOS signatory experience during the interview. Discuss specific projects where you led airworthiness activities and how you navigated MAA Regulatory Articles. This will demonstrate your expertise and relevance to the role.
✨Emphasise Safety Leadership
Prepare examples that illustrate your ability to lead safety design in defence environments. Talk about how you've developed safety policies, conducted audits, and mentored teams. This will show your capability in driving a safety culture within the organisation.
✨Understand Defence Standards
Familiarise yourself with Defence Standards such as Def Stan 00-55/56. Be ready to discuss how you have applied these standards in past roles, particularly in relation to compliance and risk management. This knowledge will be crucial in demonstrating your fit for the position.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement
Think of scenarios where you successfully advised senior stakeholders on airworthiness and compliance. Be prepared to discuss how you balanced project delivery with regulatory requirements, showcasing your ability to influence and challenge effectively.