Principal Safety & Reliability Engineer

Company: Ultra Electronics Group
Apply for the Principal Safety & Reliability Engineer
Location: Cambridge
Job Description:

Ultra PCS is a leading developer of mission and safety critical equipment in the defence and aerospace industry. Our team of experts are at the heart of our success, which is why we are dedicated to fostering a safe working environment and a positive culture where every staff member feels valued and respected.

Job Description

Principal Safety and Reliability Engineer – In this role you will develop and support Safety Design in order that both project and statutory requirements are met and to improve the effectiveness of the safety design function within the company.

Key Responsibilities

  • To be a technical arbiter within the Safety Design Group
  • Writes Safety and Reliability plans without supervision.
  • Performs Safety and Reliability analysis without supervision.
  • Actively influences the system design & ensures Safety and Reliability requirements are appropriately decomposed.
  • Is an active member of the product/system development team and can provide guidance and direction real‑time.
  • Allocates design rigour requirements and can succinctly explain what they mean and how they are applied to other project team members.
  • Can make well‑informed decisions that may alter the project course, based on experience.
  • Acts as the project Safety and Reliability focal, works closely with the Lead Engineer to define realistic but challenging timeframes.
  • Works directly with the customer to understand and challenge Safety and Reliability approach, where appropriate.
  • Highlights concern early and produces compelling evidence for design changes.
  • Presents at Design Reviews autonomously.
  • Supports Bids and Proposal as required by functional lead.
  • Uses experience to perform Safety and Reliability impact analysis on design decisions made by the project team.
  • Able to validate the incoming customer Safety and Reliability requirements with regards to the applicable Safety and Reliability standards and escalates discrepancies as necessary.

General Experience

  • Extensive in‑depth experience of safety and reliability in aerospace
  • Technically competent to assess and manage technical risk in their area and honestly presenting the detail and the wider impact
  • Able to communicate succinctly and accurately on technical issues and schemes with internal and external customers and the team
  • Capable of overseeing and approving other Safety and Reliability engineers’ work.

Specific Experience

  • Conversant with aerospace safety design and assessment (FMEA, FTA, etc.)
  • Conversant with safety and certification requirements for aerospace
  • Conversant with SAE ARP4761/4754 etc.
  • Conversant with DO160, DO178, DO254
  • Conversant with MIL HDBK 217 reliability calculations and alternatives
  • Conversant with the manufacturing techniques used for aerospace electronics
  • Able and willing to participate and organise product investigations resulting from aircraft incidents

Desirable Experience

  • Familiarity with aerospace materials and components
  • Familiarity with aspects of PCB design
  • Familiarity with aspects of EMC techniques
  • Familiarity with system design practice

Benefits

  • Flexible working within core working hours
  • 25 days holiday (185 hrs) with the option to buy/sell 5 days (37 hrs) plus bank holidays
  • 4 times your annual salary in life assurance
  • Flexible benefits package
  • Pension Scheme – less than 5 years’ service up to 5.5% employer contributions, 5 years’ service + up to 7.5% employer contributions
  • Sports and social clubs
  • Supportive and friendly working environment with regular team events

Nationality Requirements

Candidates must be able to work in the UK without restrictions in accordance with UK National Law and be prepared to successfully undertake an appropriate level of UK National Security Vetting in accordance with UK Government National Security Vetting criteria.

Diverse & Inclusive Employer

Ultra PCS is an equal opportunities employer that values diversity, inclusion, equity and equality. We promote a workplace that welcomes people from all backgrounds and cultures; believing that this will increase our diversity of thinking, and ultimately ensure we continue delivering on our commitments to our customers.

We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status and welcome applications from all candidates.

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Posted: April 21st, 2026