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System Safety Engineer - Job Opportunity at Jonathan Lee Recruitment

Warwick, United Kingdom
Contract
Senior
Posted: June 10, 2025
On-site
GBP 33.88 per hour

Key Responsibilities

Lead comprehensive safety evaluations of automotive product systems, support infrastructure, and manufacturing facilities to establish critical safety requirements that directly impact vehicle reliability and consumer protection
Drive strategic safety criteria development in system design and operational procedures, serving as the technical authority for hazard identification and mitigation strategies
Develop and maintain comprehensive safety documentation frameworks that ensure regulatory compliance and support both customer deliverables and operational excellence
Execute systematic audits of operational areas to evaluate and enhance the effectiveness of enterprise-wide system safety programmes
Lead cross-functional safety analysis initiatives, coordinating with interdisciplinary teams to ensure alignment with functional safety standards and deliver integrated safety solutions
Direct accident investigation processes, performing root cause analysis and implementing systematic corrective actions that prevent future incidents and enhance overall system safety

Requirements

Education

Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Mechatronics, or a related field

Experience

Proven experience with full safety lifecycle processes, from hazard analysis to safety validation, ideally within BEV and PHEV HV system architecture

Required Skills

Expertise in high-voltage system knowledge ISO 26262 (Functional Safety) standards Hands-on experience with safety verification testing, including fault injection testing Strong technical writing and documentation skills

Certifications

Additional certification in Functional Safety
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The automotive industry is experiencing unprecedented transformation with the rapid adoption of electric vehicles, creating critical demand for system safety engineers who can navigate the complex safety challenges of high-voltage battery systems, electric drivetrains, and advanced driver assistance systems. This shift represents a fundamental change from traditional automotive safety paradigms to new risk profiles involving electrical hazards, thermal management, and software-hardware integration. ISO 26262 functional safety standards have become the cornerstone of automotive development, with regulatory bodies worldwide tightening safety requirements for electric and autonomous vehicles. Companies are investing heavily in safety engineering capabilities to ensure compliance with evolving standards and maintain competitive advantage in safety-critical applications. The integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning in automotive systems is creating new categories of safety risks that require specialized expertise in fault injection testing, hazard analysis, and safety validation processes. This evolution is driving demand for engineers who can bridge traditional automotive safety with emerging technology safety paradigms.

Salary Evaluation

The hourly rate of £33.88 translates to approximately £70,470 annually based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, which positions this role competitively within the UK automotive safety engineering market. This compensation level reflects the specialized nature of functional safety expertise and high-voltage system knowledge, particularly given the current shortage of qualified professionals in electric vehicle safety engineering.

Role Significance

Typically manages or coordinates with teams of 5-15 engineers across multiple disciplines including electrical, software, mechanical, and test engineering, while also interfacing with regulatory affairs, quality assurance, and product development teams.
This is a senior-level position requiring advanced technical expertise and leadership capabilities, as evidenced by the requirement to lead cross-functional teams, direct accident investigations, and serve as the technical authority for safety criteria development across complex automotive systems.

Key Projects

Development and validation of high-voltage battery safety systems for next-generation electric vehicles Implementation of ISO 26262 functional safety processes across entire product development lifecycles Leading safety case development for advanced driver assistance systems and autonomous vehicle features Establishing safety requirements and verification protocols for new electric vehicle platforms

Success Factors

Deep technical mastery of ISO 26262 functional safety standards combined with practical experience in automotive product development environments, enabling effective translation of regulatory requirements into implementable engineering solutions Strong leadership and communication skills to coordinate complex safety analysis activities across interdisciplinary teams while maintaining technical accuracy and meeting aggressive development timelines Comprehensive understanding of high-voltage system architecture and failure modes, particularly in battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, to identify and mitigate emerging safety risks Proven ability to develop robust safety documentation and processes that satisfy both customer requirements and regulatory compliance while supporting efficient product development workflows

Market Demand

Extremely high demand driven by the automotive industry's rapid electrification, regulatory pressure for enhanced safety standards, and the critical shortage of engineers with ISO 26262 and high-voltage system expertise in the UK market.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

ISO 26262 functional safety expertise is absolutely essential as it forms the regulatory foundation for all automotive safety engineering work, with deep knowledge of hazard analysis, risk assessment, and safety lifecycle management being non-negotiable requirements for success in this role High-voltage system knowledge represents specialized expertise that is in extremely high demand due to the automotive industry's rapid electrification, with understanding of electrical hazards, battery safety, and power electronics being critical for identifying and mitigating emerging safety risks Safety verification testing and fault injection capabilities are increasingly important as automotive systems become more complex and software-dependent, requiring engineers who can design and execute comprehensive testing strategies to validate safety-critical functions

Beneficial Skills

Experience with advanced driver assistance systems and autonomous vehicle safety standards would provide additional value as the automotive industry continues evolving toward higher levels of automation Knowledge of cybersecurity principles and their intersection with functional safety is becoming increasingly important as connected and autonomous vehicles create new attack vectors and safety risks Understanding of international safety standards beyond ISO 26262, including IEC 61508 and other sector-specific safety frameworks, would enable broader application of safety engineering principles across different industries and markets

Unique Aspects

This maternity cover contract provides an excellent opportunity to gain experience with a leading automotive organization while contributing to critical safety engineering projects without long-term commitment constraints
The role combines traditional automotive safety engineering with emerging electric vehicle technologies, offering exposure to both established ISO 26262 processes and innovative high-voltage system safety challenges
Located in Gaydon, this position provides direct access to the UK's premier automotive engineering ecosystem, including proximity to major manufacturers and advanced technology development centers
The emphasis on fault injection testing and safety verification provides hands-on experience with cutting-edge safety validation techniques that are becoming industry standard for electric vehicle development

Career Growth

Progression to principal or management roles typically occurs within 3-5 years for high-performing individuals, with advancement to director-level positions possible within 7-10 years given the current market demand for experienced safety engineering leaders.

Potential Next Roles

Principal System Safety Engineer with expanded technical leadership responsibilities across multiple vehicle programs Functional Safety Manager overseeing enterprise-wide safety processes and team development Chief Safety Officer or Director of Safety Engineering with strategic responsibility for organizational safety culture and regulatory compliance Technical Consultant specializing in automotive functional safety for tier-one suppliers or regulatory bodies

Company Overview

Jonathan Lee Recruitment

Jonathan Lee Recruitment is an established engineering and manufacturing recruitment consultancy with over 45 years of industry experience, specializing in connecting technical professionals with leading automotive and manufacturing organizations across the UK and internationally.

Well-regarded specialist recruiter with strong relationships across the automotive sector, particularly known for placing engineers in safety-critical roles with major OEMs and tier-one suppliers during the industry's electric vehicle transformation.
This Gaydon-based position places the role at the heart of the UK's automotive engineering cluster, providing access to major automotive manufacturers, advanced engineering centers, and a concentrated network of industry professionals and suppliers.
Contract-based role offering flexibility and exposure to cutting-edge automotive projects while working within established safety engineering frameworks and professional development opportunities in a rapidly evolving technical domain.
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