Safety Engineer (all levels)

Location: Bristol, United Kingdom

Thales people provide armed forces customers with operational advantage at every decisive moment throughout the mission. Defence and armed forces customers rely on us to deliver the full range of defence mission systems solutions at land, sea, and air. Our platforms extend across the battlespace including Above and Sonar, Electronic Combat, and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance systems.

Together we offer fantastic opportunities for committed employees to learn and develop their career with us. At Thales UK, we research, develop, and supply technology and services that impact the lives of millions of people each day to make life better, and keep us safer. We innovate across the major industries of Aerospace, Defence, Security and Space. Your health and well-being matters to us and that’s why we offer you the flexibility to do what’s important to you; whether that’s part time hours, job sharing, home working, or the ability to flex your start and finish times. Where possible, we support a working pattern that suits your lifestyle and helps you reach your ambitions.

Safety Engineer (all levels)
Multiple UK Sites (Bristol, Templecombe, Cheadle, Crawley, Plymouth)

Step beneath the surface with Thales Underwater Systems, where innovation meets security to shape the future of maritime defence. As the global defence sector undergoes unprecedented growth and transformation, we’re leading the way with pioneering products, advanced sensor technologies, cutting-edge autonomous systems, and world-class safety standards.

What we’re looking for

We’re seeking ambitious Safety Engineers (Senior or Principal level) eager to contribute to novel, mission-critical solutions on a worldwide stage. Join a collaborative powerhouse engaged in academic partnerships with leading universities and continual professional development. At Thales, you’ll help safeguard tomorrow, grow alongside visionary minds, and gain the chance to work on technology innovations that protect navies, shipping, and vital underwater infrastructure.

What you’ll do

As a Safety Engineer at Thales Underwater Systems, you will deliver key safety engineering activities for leading defence projects, ensuring safety requirements are met at key project milestones. You’ll provide expert safety guidance to project teams, engage directly with customers on safety matters, and ensure all processes meet both Thales standards and industry regulations like Def Stan 00-056, MIL STD 882 and Defence Maritime Regulations. Your role includes raising and investigating any safety concerns, and supporting assurance across all our systems.

What you’ll need

We're looking for candidates with strong knowledge of safety management processes and experience delivering safety engineering work including use of tools and techniques such as FTA, FMECA & GSN. You should be confident in hazard identification and use of hazard log management tools You should also be confident in the development of Safety Cases and fully conversant with the ALARP principle.

Defence experience is highly valued, though we also welcome those from other safety-critical backgrounds. Knowledge of functional or software safety and IEC 61508 is an advantage, and you must understand the engineering lifecycle. Knowledge of Environmental Management/EcoDesign and Human Factors are also advantageous but not required. Strong communication and teamwork skills are essential for success in our collaborative, multi-disciplined environment.

Security Clearance Statement

This role will require SC Clearance. It would be advantageous if currently held, however, if not currently held, it is a requirement that the successful applicant will undergo, achieve, and maintain SC Clearance.  Please visit the UKSV website for further guidance.

To be eligible for full SC, you generally need to have resided in the UK for the last 5 years.  In some circumstances, a minimum of 3 years’ residence in the UK over the last 5 years may be accepted, with additional overseas checks. For further details of the evidence required to apply for Baseline and Security Clearance please refer to the National Security Vetting (NSV) Agency - United Kingdom Security Vetting - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

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In line with Thales' Baseline Security requirements, candidates will be asked to provide evidence of identity, eligibility to work in the UK and employment and/or education history for up to three years. Some vacancies may require full Security Clearance which can require further evidence to be provided. For further details of the evidence required to apply for Baseline and Security Clearance please refer to the Defence Business Services National Security Vetting (DBS NSV) Agency.

At Thales we provide CAREERS and not only jobs. With Thales employing 80,000 employees in 68 countries our mobility policy enables thousands of employees each year to develop their careers at home and abroad, in their existing areas of expertise or by branching out into new fields. Together we believe that embracing flexibility is a smarter way of working.

Thales UK is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment process. We will provide reasonable adjustments and support to ensure neuro-diverse applicants or those with a disability or long-term condition can be their best during the recruitment process. To request an adjustment, if you need this job advert in an alternative format or if you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Resourcing Ops for mid to senior roles, or the Early Careers Team for graduate and apprentice roles.

Great journeys start here, apply now!