Assurance Engineer in Bristol

We are looking for a Senior or Principal Assurance Engineer to join the technology team at Synoptix. The technology team specialises in applying AI to solve challenges within complex systems, with expertise spanning object detection, neural network resilience, AI assurance, and the development of synthetic data. Through bespoke research and development programmes, the team delivers high-grade AI systems and services for high-stakes environments.

This role is about helping our customers design, justify and operate AI. You will produce defensible technical outputs, challenge weak assumptions and connect assurance evidence to real decisions about system design, deployment and operation. You will lead technically demanding client work, either working hands-on yourself or directing a project team.

This is not primarily a governance, risk and compliance role. Nor are we looking for someone who treats compliance with standards as the end goal. Established standards and techniques will often guide the work. However, you must understand their purpose, limitations, and relevance to the system under consideration, particularly when working in situations where standards, processes, or accepted approaches have not yet been defined.

Direct experience of AI assurance is desirable but not essential. We are looking for a broad range of assurance backgrounds, not just people who already work in AI assurance. You should have some exposure to AI or machine-learning systems or be able to demonstrate that you can learn unfamiliar technologies quickly and engage credibly with specialists.

We are primarily interested in demonstrated experience, technical judgement and the quality of your thinking. You should have strong experience in at least one area relevant to the assurance or design of high-stakes systems. This might include:

• Safety engineering and safety cases
• Assurance cases and argument-based assurance
• High-integrity or safety-critical software
• AI verification, validation, testing or evaluation
• System safety and hazard analysis
• Software or system architecture
• Human factors and human-machine teaming
• Cybersecurity and resilience
• Quantitative risk, reliability or formal methods
• Operational monitoring and change assurance
• Clinical safety or healthcare technology assurance
• Another professional field involving difficult technical decisions with significant consequences

We welcome candidates from a wide range of sectors including but not limited to defence, space, healthcare, nuclear or critical national infrastructure, but it is not essential. We also welcome transferable experience from aviation, automotive, rail, industrial automation and other high-integrity sectors.

• Leading the technical delivery of assurance work for clients
• Developing assurance strategies and plans
• Structuring claims, arguments and supporting evidence
• Developing AI test and evaluation strategies
• Defining system requirements and design recommendations
• Developing operational monitoring and change-assurance approaches
• Reviewing and challenging evidence produced by clients or suppliers
• Producing reports that support senior technical and operational decisions
• Working with clients as a technical stakeholder
• Sharing and defending a proposed technical approach
• Leading technical discussions and contributing to workshops
• Challenging client or supplier assumptions constructively
• Building relationships while maintaining an independent technical position
• Supporting and developing the wider team, including both mentoring and supporting more junior engineers
• Develop partnerships with universities, research organisations, and industry collaborators to advance R&D opportunities and drive innovation

• Annual Company Bonus – Based on company performance
• 25 Days holiday not including bank holidays with the option to buy/sell up to 5 days
• Flexible hybrid working arrangements
• Continuous professional development including incentives
• Access to online Udemy training facility to support grade specific learning pathways
• Electric car scheme
• Bike to work scheme
• Private health care

Synoptix was formed in 2011 to provide engineering solutions across various technical industries. We have evolved from a company established and focussed on Systems Thinking principles into an Engineering company providing solutions and services across three key capabilities: Systems, Cyber & InfoSec and Technology. What makes us stand out is how we engage in the crossover areas between these disciplines, combining our strengths to provide a truly bespoke, market leading approach. Our engineering competence is bolstered by expertise in commercial, legal, financial and resource, thereby ensuring that we uphold excellence in our product and service offerings.

Please note that due to the nature of our projects we can only accept Sole UK National candidates who will need to be eligible to obtain UK Security Clearance.

By applying to this position, you are confirming that you consent to the retention of your personal data. Your data is held securely on our own premises and under the terms of the Data Protection Act (2018). It will be treated as confidential, and will not be transferred to any third party, or to any other jurisdiction without your consent. We will not hold any data for any longer than is necessary for us to fulfil our obligations and will remove any data at your written request.