Principal Systems Safety Engineer

Expleo is a trusted partner for end-to-end, integrated engineering, quality services and management consulting for digital transformation.  We help businesses harness unrelenting technological change to successfully deliver innovations that will help them gain a competitive advantage and improve the everyday lives of people around the globe.   

We are seeking a highly organised and motivated Principal System Safety Engineer with strong experience in hardware development safety, particularly in programmable electronic hardware, PLC‑based systems, and IEC 61508‑compliant design.

The System Safety Engineer will be responsible for the technical ownership of hardware safety activities including:

Hardware‑Focused Safety Responsibilities

• Hands‑on schematic reviews, ensuring hardware designs meet functional safety and integrity requirements.

• Providing safety requirements input directly into hardware design, including programmable elements and PLC‑based architectures.

• Managing and performing Hardware FMEDA activities to IEC 61508, including component‑level failure rate justification and diagnostic coverage assessment.

• Supporting and guiding low‑level hardware development teams, ensuring safety is embedded throughout the lifecycle.

General Safety Engineering Deliverables

• Producing Safety Case Reports, arguments and supporting evidence.

• Developing and maintaining Hazard Logs, Hazard Analyses and associated documentation including Cost Benefit Analysis.

• Conducting safety analyses such as FHA, FMEA, FTA, BowTie, and supporting wider system safety assessments.

• Assessing supplier safety compliance, ensuring alignment with legislative, contractual and functional safety requirements.

• Providing safety input to PDR, CDR and lifecycle engineering reviews.

• Acting as a Safety SME across multidisciplinary systems projects.

Candidates must demonstrate strong capability in the following:

Hardware & IEC 61508 Competence (Critical Requirement)

• Extensive experience in hardware safety assurance, including:

  • Schematic interpretation and review

  • Programmable electronic hardware (custom logic, PLCs, PE devices)

  • Hardware requirements derivation and traceability

  • FMEDA development and review

  • Understanding of failure modes, diagnostic coverage and architectural constraints

  • Utilisation of IEC 61508 and Def Stan 00-55
  • SIL determination

• Ability to work hands‑on with hardware development teams to guide safe design decisions.

Safety Engineering Competence

• • Strong background in hazard and risk management, including Hazard Identification, Hazard Logs and Hazard Analysis.

  • Experience producing Safety Arguments and supporting Design Authority approvals.

  • Working knowledge of legislative compliance, including AMC/AAMC tailoring.

  • Experience assessing supplier safety compliance against contractual and regulatory requirements.

  • Proficiency in safety analysis techniques such as FTA, BowTie, FHA, FMEA.

• Desired to have one or more of these skills areas:
• WOME Background
• Naval Background

• Extensive experience in Engineering, specalised in system safety for hardware development 
• Experience in hazard analysis and the application of Cost Benefit Analysis
• Experience with IEC 61508, Def Stan 00-56, Def Stan 00-55 and navigating compliance against international and UK legislation 
• Experience with SIL determination and product qualification 
• Experience in the development of Safety Case reports, assessing Safety Case validity and safety assurance including ALARP
• Experience within the WOME and marine environment is desirable

• Valid SC Clearance. Sole UK Nationality.

• Collaborative working environment – we stand shoulder to shoulder with our clients and our peers through good times and challenges  
• We empower all passionate technology loving professionals by allowing them to expand their skills and take part in inspiring projects   
• Expleo Academy - enables you to acquire and develop the right skills by delivering a suite of accredited training courses  
• Competitive company benefits
• Always working as one team, our people are not afraid to think big and challenge the status quo 

• As a Disability Confident Committed Employer we have committed to:
• Ensure our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible
• Communicating and promoting vacancies
• Offering an interview to disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for the job
• Anticipating and providing reasonable adjustments as required
• Supporting any existing employee who acquires a disability or long term health condition, enabling them to stay in work at least one activity that will make a difference for disabled people

“We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age”. 

We treat everyone fairly and equitably across the organisation, including providing any additional support and adjustments needed for everyone to thrive