At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and enhance global Safety Management System, ensuring compliance and promoting aviation safety culture.
- Company: Join Safran, a leading high-tech group in aerospace, space, and defence.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days holiday, private medical cover, and career advancement opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with excellent training and development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on aviation safety while working with a global leader.
- Qualifications: Degree in Engineering or Aviation, with strong knowledge of aviation regulations.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 70000 £ per year.
Safran is an international high-technology group operating in the fields of aerospace (propulsion, equipment and interiors), space and defense. Its mission is to contribute sustainably to a safer world, where air transport becomes ever more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Present on every continent, the Group employs 110,000 people and generated €31.3 billion in revenue in 2025. Safran holds, either independently or through partnerships, leading global or European positions in its markets. Safran was ranked second in the Aerospace & Defense sector in TIME magazine's "World's Best Companies 2025" ranking.
With more than one million seats installed across the fleets of the world's leading airlines, Safran Seats is one of the global leaders in passenger, crew, aircraft and helicopter seating, delivering innovative, high value-added solutions.
Our benefits include:
- 33 days holiday (incl. bank holidays)
- Pension Scheme, leading salary sacrifice employer contributions up to 10%
- Private Medical Cover (upgrade to cover family members)
- Salary sacrifice benefits scheme including cycle to work
- 4 x Life Assurance
- Interactive benefits platform (tech, retail benefits & income protection)
- Enhanced family friendly policies & employee assistance programme
- Annual share-save schemes
- Career advancement - Safran University and internal Training and Development Schools
- Corporate Social Responsibility activities
Your Role
As the Safety (SMS) Manager, you will lead and enhance Safran Seats' global Safety Management System, ensuring compliance, reducing risk, and promoting a strong aviation safety culture across all sites worldwide.
- Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the SMS in line with EASA, ICAO, and aviation regulatory requirements.
- Drive safety culture through hazard identification, risk assessment, occurrence investigation, and risk mitigation.
- Maintain the SMS Manual, procedures, and governance processes, ensuring alignment with DOA, POA, and MOA requirements.
- Deliver audits, inspections, risk assessments, and safety performance monitoring, using data analysis to identify emerging risks.
- Lead investigations into incidents and accidents, identifying root causes and implementing corrective and preventive actions.
- Act as the key point of contact for aviation safety, liaising with the Office of Airworthiness, regulators, customers, and stakeholders.
- Coordinate the global network of Safety Managers and SMS Reporting Officers, promoting consistency and best practice.
- Partner with operational leaders and the Office of Airworthiness to assess, classify, and mitigate safety risks through effective action plans.
- Track and report on Safety Action Plans and risk mitigation activities, working closely with compliance and audit teams.
- Produce and present safety performance, risk, and SMS effectiveness reports to Safety Review Boards and senior leadership.
- Facilitate safety reviews, management briefings, training programmes, and awareness campaigns to strengthen organisational safety capability.
Desirable Experience
We are looking for a safety professional with a strong aviation background and a passion for driving safety excellence across a global organisation. You will bring:
- A degree-level qualification (or equivalent) in Engineering, Aviation, Safety Management, or a related discipline.
- Professional certifications in airworthiness, aviation safety, or quality management (desirable).
- Strong knowledge of aviation regulations, including EASA, ICAO, and applicable civil aviation authority requirements.
- Proven aviation industry experience with a sound understanding of Safety Management Systems (SMS), airworthiness, DOA, POA, MOA, and quality assurance frameworks.
- Practical experience implementing and managing SMS within a medium to large aviation organisation.
- Experience developing and delivering regulatory-compliant safety training and promoting a positive safety culture.
- Strong capability to lead aviation safety initiatives, coordinate safety networks, and engage effectively with stakeholders.
- Experience managing safety performance indicators (KPIs), analysing trends, and presenting safety performance and risk reviews to senior management.
- Knowledge of aviation safety auditing, compliance monitoring, and the management of corrective actions.
- The ability to monitor, interpret, and communicate changes to aviation safety regulations.
Safety Management Systems (SMS) Manager employer: Safran UK
At Safran, we prioritise our people and offer a supportive work environment that fosters diversity, innovation, and opportunity. With an impressive range of benefits including 33 days of holiday, a leading pension scheme, and enhanced family-friendly policies, we are committed to employee growth and well-being. Join us in Cwmbran, where you can be part of a global leader in aerospace and defence, contributing to a sustainable future while enjoying a vibrant work culture and numerous engagement opportunities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Safety Management Systems (SMS) Manager
✨Join Aerospace Forums and Groups
Get involved in aerospace engineering forums and online communities, like the AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics). It's a great way to meet industry peers and stay updated on job openings and trends in the field.
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye on upcoming aerospace conferences and events where you can network with professionals and showcase your interest. Events like the Farnborough International Airshow are not just about flying machines; they're a goldmine for connections and potential job leads.
✨Spotlight Your Projects
Make sure to highlight any hands-on experience or projects on your portfolio that showcase your skills in aerospace engineering. Employers love seeing practical applications of theoretical knowledge. Show us what you've got!
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
When you find companies you want to work for, head straight to their careers page to apply for full-time roles, like the one with Safran UK for a Safety Management Systems (SMS) Manager. This often puts your application in front of the right people faster than just waiting for job boards!
We think you need these skills to ace Safety Management Systems (SMS) Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at Safran UK, make sure to highlight your technical expertise. Include specific software skills, like CAD tools or simulation software, and any relevant engineering projects you’ve worked on. This is your chance to really shine and showcase your engineering toolkit!
Don't Skip Your Projects!:Include a section in your CV dedicated to projects that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities in aerospace engineering. Whether it's a university project, an internship, or personal work, we love seeing how you’ve applied your skills in real-world scenarios. Make it clear what your role was and the impact of the project.
Show Your Passion in Your Cover Letter:At Safran UK, we're not just looking for skills – we want to know why you’re passionate about aerospace engineering. Use your cover letter to express what excites you about aviation technology and your career goals. Share any relevant experiences or inspirations that have led you to apply for this full-time position.
Tailor Your CV for Aerospace:Make sure your CV is specifically tailored to aerospace engineering. Focus on your education, any certifications, and your work experience, ensuring you highlight aspects that relate directly to the role. Don’t forget to mention any internships or apprenticeships that have given you hands-on experience.
How to prepare for a job interview at Safran UK
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Knowledge
Aerospace engineering is all about technical precision, so make sure you’re comfortable with key concepts like aerodynamics, propulsion, and materials science. We recommend going through any relevant coursework or projects you’ve worked on – these real-world examples can illustrate your understanding during the interview with Safran UK.
✨Showcase Your Projects with Confidence
Make sure to have a portfolio ready that details any significant projects you've worked on, whether it’s a group assignment or a personal endeavour. Be prepared to discuss the challenges you faced, the tools you used, like CAD software, and what you learned from the experience, as this will show your problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Technical Interviews
Expect some technical questions or even problem-solving exercises during your interview with Safran UK. Get familiar with design challenges or theoretical problems related to aerospace; this can range from calculating lift and drag forces to materials selection under stress. Practising these can help you feel more at ease when faced with tricky questions.
✨Emphasise Your Passion and Teamwork Skills
As a full-time candidate, it’s crucial to convey your passion for aerospace engineering and your ability to work in teams. Highlight any group projects or internships you've done, focusing on how you collaborated with others to achieve a goal. Companies like Safran UK love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.
