Lead Safety Engineer

Job Description

We’re building the next UK-headquartered engineering powerhouse.

At Rowden, we design and integrate advanced systems that sense, connect, and protect data in challenging environments where quick decisions are vital. Our solutions use intelligent automation to enhance speed and efficiency and are built to be reliable and straightforward for critical operations in remote or high-pressure settings.

Headquartered in Bristol (UK), we combine modern engineering methods with cutting-edge commercial technology to create adaptable, mission-critical systems. We focus on solving the tough challenges that others overlook, ensuring our customers can operate effectively in an ever-changing world.

As part of our new Certification and Development Assurance team, we are seeking a motivated and technically adept Lead Safety Engineer to set the standard for safety across our latest systems. Working with pioneering technologies that range from software-centric soldier systems and emerging fields like AI and ML, you’ll ensure our systems meet the highest standards of safety and reliability across dynamic and evolving projects. You’ll drive safety initiatives end-to-end, working on diverse problems while also commissioning and managing specialist sub-contract work as required.

This role is an excellent opportunity for a mid- to senior-level engineer who’s ready to step into a technical leadership role with high impact and visibility.

Key Areas of Responsibility

• Defining and leading safety management plans and certification strategies for a range of safety-related systems.
• Conducting safety analyses such as Hazard Identification, Fault Tree Analysis, and Failure Mode Effects Analysis, integrating findings into system requirements.
• Commissioning and coordinating contractors and specialist consultants to support safety assurance in complex technical areas, such as AI and autonomous system behaviours.
• Embedding safety requirements across traditional hardware, software-centric architectures, and AI-driven systems to ensure that Rowden’s advanced solutions meet the necessary safety standards.
• Creating and maintaining high-quality safety cases, assurance documentation, and safety reports that clearly articulate the safety profile and readiness of systems to internal and external stakeholders.
• Conducting system audits and safety assessments to verify adherence to standards, proactively identifying and mitigating safety risks throughout project development.

About You

We are looking for someone who is passionate about staying at the forefront of safety engineering within a fast-evolving tech environment. You should bring:

• Strong experience in safety and certification engineering in defence, aerospace, automotive, or other regulated industries.
• Proven expertise in DEF STAN 00-056 or other relevant safety standards such as IEC 61508, including practical experience in applying safety analysis methods to both hardware and software-based systems.
• A collaborative approach to safety engineering, with the ability to engage and influence cross-functional teams and work alongside technical experts in hardware, software, AI, and ML.
• A proactive mindset for identifying safety risks early, combined with the ability to adapt safety frameworks to support novel and emerging technologies.

Highly Desirable Skills and Experience:

• Knowledge and experience in the certification of robotics and autonomous systems, particularly Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS).
• Experience of CAA and MAA certification.
• Knowledge and interest in the assurance of AI/ML-centric systems.
• Knowledge and experience in software safety for safety-related and safety-critical systems.
• Familiarity with model-based engineering approaches and tools such as Enterprise Architect.
• Confidence in managing contractors and consultants, particularly for specialised safety tasks or assessments, ensuring integrated, high-quality results.

Working at Rowden

We are committed to building a flexible, inclusive, and enabling company. Our aim is to create a diverse team of talented people with unique skills, experience, and backgrounds, so please apply and come as you are!

We also recognise the importance of flexible working and support this wherever we can. We typically operate a flexible, hybrid-working model, with an average 3 days in the office each week (dependent on the role). We welcome the opportunity to discuss flexibility, part-time working requirements and/or workplace adjustments with all our applicants.

Rowden is a Confident Committed company, and we actively encourage people with disabilities and health conditions to apply for our roles. Please let us know your requirements early on so that we can make sure you have everything you need up front to help make the recruitment process and experience as easy as possible.

About Rowden

Our Mission:

To create the best possible technology for frontline operators.

We’re upending the conventions of government technology provision and bringing a leaner, more transparent, and lower-friction approach that reduces waste and places outcome over process. We believe every possible measure should be taken to provide frontline operators in today’s dynamic and rapidly changing world with the technology they need to help keep themselves and others safe.

Our Vision:

We offer fast and flexible solutions to the technical challenges of public sector organisations.

We are specialists in software-centric systems, with deep expertise in developing capabilities for constrained networking environments or with challenging cyber security requirements. But the Rowden difference is as much cultural as it is technical: ‘what we do’ and ‘how we do it’ are equally important. We are specifically organised to create and sustain pace, reduce waste and inefficiency, and drive better outcomes. You’ll see and feel that energy and intent all over our business.

What Matters To Us?

• Our focus is on the end user. We exist to deliver the best possible outcomes for the users of our systems.
• Pace matters. The problems we solve are urgent.
• Our diverse skills and backgrounds make us better. Our team prides itself on being inclusive and multidisciplinary.
• We are radically honest. Saying what we mean, even when it isn’t easy.
• We are pragmatists. We provide realistic, focused solutions that get to the point.
• We improve continuously. We are relentless in our drive to make things better.

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