Job Description
If you’d like to be considered for this opportunity we encourage you to apply promptly to avoid disappointment as if applications are high the role will close before the closing date given.
Principal Safety Assessment Specialist
Closing Date: 22nd April 2026
Location: RG7 4PR, located between Reading and Basingstoke, with free onsite parking.
Due to the classified nature of the work involved, there are limited opportunities to work from home in this role. It is anticipated that the successful candidate will spend the majority of their time working on site at AWE Aldermaston.
Package: £64,340- £101,700 per annum (depending on your suitability, qualifications, and level of experience)
A relocation package may be available (terms and conditions apply).
Working pattern: AWE operates a 9-day working fortnight. We will consider flexible working requests so that your work may fit in with your lifestyle. Just let us know your preferred working pattern on your application.
Ready to play your part?
At AWE, it’s not just a job, it’s far more than that. Our shared purpose is to help keep the nation safe. Could this role be the opportunity for you to play your part?
AWE is currently recruiting for a Principal Safety Assessment Specialist.
The main purpose of this role is to lead the assessment of nuclear, explosive and other major hazards associated with actual, planned and/or decommissioned facilities, plant, equipment or product. This role advises on strategies for the development of safety assessments (safety case/safety basis/risk assessments) and manages the provision of competent resources to review and develop safety assessments.
Key Accountabilities:
Lead and manages a team at functional level to deliver team and personal objectives meeting operational plan capability plans.
Sets direction and develops a shared understanding of individual’s roles in delivering the AWE vision and strategy.
Leads and manages the technical input to the planning and production of safety documentation.
Delivers safety assessments and other technical inputs to safety documentation to agreed quality and delivery standards.
Monitors the delivery of safety documentation, using appropriate metrics.
Determines the acceptability of the arrangements for implementing the requirements of the safety documentation.
Provides technical input to the design and/or delivery of technical training.
Additional accountabilities for this job profile may be defined and appointed through the Chief Engineer Management Arrangements, with appointees listed within the Company Design Authorities and Technical Authorities, as held in the company management system.
Key Responsibilities:
Lead a Safety Assessment Specialist team in the production, delivery of safety justification/documentation and through the governance process.
Take ownership of safety justification/documentation as directed by HoNS or SESH Management.
Ensuring that company strategies, policies and management system requirements for safety are communicated and understood.
Contributing to processes that assess performance of the development and use of safety assessments and Licence Condition compliance and identify where improvements could be made.
Managing Technology Centre Safety Assessment activities/programmes to ensure compliance with Company arrangements.
Mentoring others in safety assessment approaches, documentation and techniques.
Maintaining and promoting high standards in security environment, safety and health.
The Company may require you to fulfil any other reasonable duties aligned to your position from time to time in line with business needs.
Deputise for Group Leader, Nuclear Safety in meetings when requested.
Who are we looking for?
We do need you to have the following:
Degree in a science or engineering based subject or vocational qualification (HND or equivalent) and/or extensive practical experience.
Safety Assessment Specialists are expected to be able to undertake a range of techniques. A list of common techniques is included in the Capability Matrix. The specific skills/ techniques that are required for a role/deployment will be identified as part of the tasking process. Extensive knowledge of these techniques is anticipated.
Excellent interpersonal/communication skills, report and presentation skills.
Management of personnel and staff development.
Extensive experience in the field of safety assessment for radiological, chemical and/or explosive hazards.
Experience in a nuclear, high hazard and/or highly regulated industry.
Experience of several Domains (Management system, Front End, Project design, Commissioning, Operations, Decommissioning), gained within or outside AWE.
Experience of working/operating in a high hazard and/or highly regulated industry (probably nuclear).
Whilst not to be considered a tick list, we’d like you to have experience in some of the following:
Membership of an appropriate professional body.
Application of technical skills across the nuclear lifecycle (project -decommissioning).
Application of skill across different hazard types (i.e. proportional risk assessment).
Experience from across the nuclear lifecycle (projects - decommissioning).
Experience of skill from across different hazard types.
You’ll need to have the ability to work calmly and constructively in a priority changing environment and be able to manage your own workload. You will also have initiative, enthusiasm, a flexible approach, and ability to work to tight deadlines.
Work hard, be rewarded:
We ask a lot and set the bar high because our work truly matters. In return we offer balance, with award winning benefits including:
9-day working fortnight – meaning you get every other Friday off work, in addition to 270 hours of annual leave.
Market leading contributory pension scheme (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your contributions).
Family friendly policies: Maternity Leave - 39 Weeks Full Pay and Paternity Leave - 4 Weeks Full Pay.
Opportunities for Professional Career Development including funding for annual membership of a relevant professional body.
Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.
Life Assurance (4 x annual salary).
Discounts – access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending.
Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring.
The 'Working at AWE' page on our website is where you can find full details in the 'AWE Benefits Guide'.
#LI-KT1
Next steps:
Everyone who works at AWE brings unique skills and perspectives to the table. We recognise that great people don’t always ‘tick every box’. That’s why we focus on your potential, your fit with our values, your transferable skills as well as your experience. Even if you don’t meet every point above, but you feel that this role and AWE are a great fit for you, please go ahead and apply, we’d love to receive your application.
Important things you need to know:
- We encourage you to apply promptly to avoid disappointment if applications are high and the role therefore closes.
- You will need to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role. This will be funded by AWE. The nature of our work does mean you need to be a British Citizen who has been resident in the UK for the past 5 years in order to apply for SC clearance and 10 years for DV.
- We want you to feel comfortable and able to shine during our recruitment process. Please let us know on your application form if you need any adjustments/accommodations during the process.
- Our interviews typically take place over Teams and for most roles are a 1 stage process.
Our ambition is to create workplaces where we recognise and celebrate differences, encourage diverse contributions and our employees feel able to be themselves at work. We strive to create a genuine culture of openness and inclusion and encourage diverse applicants. Any inclusion information you provide will be stored in accordance with GDPR and kept separate from your application form and CV, and the information will not be shared with anyone involved in interviewing or making hiring decisions.
Please note that you must be a British Citizen to apply for a role with us.
Job Ref:
