Catalyst Safety Engineer

Location: Abbey Wood / Hybrid

Rate: Up to £420/day

IR35: Inside IR35

Security Clearance: SC required

Contract End Date: 31/03/2026. Good potential to extend.

Start Date: ASAP

Final date to receive applications: 21/01/2026 at 13:00

We are seeking a Catalyst Safety Engineer to join the Catalyst team within the Defence Airworthiness Team at Abbey Wood. Catalyst is a small, specialist team reporting directly to the Director Rotary Wing / Uncrewed Air Systems, supporting the rapid development of Military Permit To Fly (MPTF) and Release To Service (RTS) evidence for Test & Evaluation activity.

This role will support air systems under Project HARBINGER, a UK Defence Innovation programme demonstrating a long-range One-Way Effector at BATUS, Canada. The Catalyst team is responsible for gathering safety evidence to support the Technical Airworthiness Authority and the Air System Safety Case, applying a proportionate and tailored approach to airworthiness using SORA principles.

• Development of Equipment Contribution Logs for Brakestop platforms
• Supporting and contributing to Equipment Contribution Working Groups
• Drafting Equipment Contribution Interface Declarations
• Supporting development of Brakestop Safety Assessments using SORA
• Providing Technical Airworthiness Authority SORA safety assessment contributions
• Supporting development of Safety Management Plan annexes
• Supporting safety meetings as required, including TAwSP, PSG/PSP and ESRs
• Producing safety briefings and slide packs for assurance and review meetings

• Experience of Air Safety Management within DE&S
• Understanding of Military Regulatory Publications and the Airworthiness Engineering Team environment
• Experience of DE&S Air Safety Governance, including AET Process 15
• Experience contributing to Equipment Contribution to Risk to Life activities, including AET Process 17

• Experience conducting Safety Assessments, including AET Process 16
• Understanding of SORA methodology
• Experience working with Uncrewed Air Systems and/or Test & Evaluation activity

Hybrid working is supported. Catalyst engineers based at Abbey Wood are encouraged to attend the office on Tuesdays, with in-person attendance required for meetings as necessary.