Principal Safety Engineer
// Role Summary
Lead safety engineering for world-class naval shipbuilding programmes, ensuring the safe introduction and operation of weapons, ordnance, munitions, and explosives systems. This pivotal role offers the chance to influence national security and develop specialist expertise.
// Key Responsibilities
- Pivotal role in naval shipbuilding safety for weapons, ordnance, munitions, and explosives.
- Key technical authority for design, safety assurance, and compliance with UK legislation and MoD policy.
- Lead the safe introduction of new weapons and ammunition, working with accreditation bodies.
- Oversee Ship Explosives Threat Hazard Assessment (SETHA) and WOME safety management.
- Produce and approve critical safety documentation (SEMP, Safety Case Reports, Hazard Logs).
- Requires experience with UK naval explosive safety standards and accreditation bodies.
// Role Specification
Principal Safety Engineer – Weapons, Ordnance, Munitions and Explosives Specialist
Babcock is seeking a Principal Safety Engineer with specialist knowledge in Weapons, Ordnance, Munitions, and Explosives (WOME) to join their team. This role is crucial for ensuring the safe introduction, integration, and operation of complex weapons systems across major naval shipbuilding programmes. You will play a pivotal role in shaping the design and safety assurance of ships vital to national security, while advancing your expertise in defence, aerospace, and engineering.
As a key technical authority within a multi-disciplinary engineering environment, you will make critical decisions impacting equipment safety, compliance with UK legislation and Ministry of Defence policy, and the overall safety and environmental performance of our platforms. This is a role with significant purpose, supporting defence capability and offering substantial career development opportunities.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead the safe introduction into service of new weapons and ammunition, collaborating with accreditation bodies such as WESCoE.
- Oversee Ship Explosives Threat Hazard Assessment (SETHA) activities in accordance with Maritime Acquisition Publication (MAP) 01‑103.
- Manage all facets of WOME safety, including embarkation, storage, handling, and operational use.
- Produce and approve essential technical documents, including Safety and Environmental Management Plans (SEMPs), SETHA Reports, Safety Case Reports, Hazard Logs, Ammunition Route plans, and integration specifications.
- Collaborate within the Marine Systems Engineering (MSE) team, working alongside engineering, naval architecture, and project delivery specialists to support a range of new build and refit programmes.
Essential Experience:
- Demonstrated technical expertise with accountability for design development and problem-solving within WOME.
- Proven experience in chairing and facilitating customer-facing engineering and safety meetings (e.g., PSECs, HLWGs, EWGs).
- Principal-level engineering experience with substantial exposure to naval explosive safety.
- Direct experience with UK naval programmes and relevant standards, including ANEP 77, NATG Explosive Certification, Defence Standard 00‑101, Naval Authority Notice (NAN) Exp 03 Parts 1 & 2, and Defence Maritime and Ordnance Regulations.
- Working knowledge of ANEP 77 and the IMO IMDG Code.
Qualifications:
- Chartered Engineer status in a relevant discipline.
- Degree-qualified (or HND/HNC with extensive and relevant engineering experience).
- Appropriate explosive and maritime safety training.
Location and Working Arrangements:
This role is full-time and permanent, based at Devonport, Bristol, or Rosyth, with hybrid working arrangements available.