Role Title: Principal Consultant - Software Safety and Assurance
Location: Remote Working with visits to client sites
Package: -75,000 - -85,000 + Pension + Generous Holiday
Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Security Clearance: UK National (Must be eligible for SC/DV clearance)

About the Role
We are recruiting a Principal Consultant in Software Safety and Programmable Product Assurance on behalf of a leading engineering and safety consultancy.

This high-impact role provides strategic technical leadership and authoritative consultancy across safety-critical aerospace, defence, and high-integrity programmes.
You will lead the assessment and assurance of software, complex electronic hardware, and programmable products, acting as a trusted adviser to regulators, clients, Design Organisations, and prime contractors.

Key Responsibilities

• Technical Leadership: Serve as the Subject Matter Expert for software and programmable elements assurance across civil, military, and regulated defence programmes.
• Assurance Strategies: Define, own, and execute proportionate assurance plans, assessment criteria, and regulatory engagement strategies.
• Lifecycle & Evidence Review: Lead independent assessments of software/hardware plans, architecture, design, verification, source code, and certification data.
• Safety Integration: Review and influence systems safety assessment reports, hazard logs, FMEA/FTA, and safety cases to confirm programmable element risks are appropriately controlled.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Formulate clear, defensible technical position papers and recommendations to resolve deficiencies and mitigate certification risk.
• Team Mentorship: Lead multidisciplinary work packages, mentor consultants, and support bid/account development.

Key Requirements & Experience
Essential Technical Capability

• Standards Expertise: In-depth knowledge of RTCA DO-178C / EUROCAE ED-12C (Software) and RTCA DO-254 / EUROCAE ED-80 (Hardware).
• Systems & Safety Frameworks: Solid understanding of SAE ARP4754A and SAE ARP4761, including their interfaces with programmable elements assurance.
• Safety & Hazard Assessment: Proven experience evaluating FHA, PSSA, SSA, FMEA, FTA, or common cause analysis.
• Lifecycle Assessment: Ability to evaluate requirements-based testing, structural coverage, model-based development, formal methods, tool qualification, or multicore processing.

Qualifications & Experience

• Education: Degree (or equivalent practical experience) in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Electronics, Systems Engineering, or Aerospace.
• Background: Substantial experience delivering software safety or programmable-elements assurance within aerospace, defence, or high-integrity regulated sectors.
• Vetting & Citizenship: Must be a UK Citizen eligible for UK Security Clearance (SC minimum, DV desirable) due to specific client-side UK Eyes Only / 5EYES security caveats.

Desirable

• Chartered Engineer (CEng) or Chartered IT Professional (CITP) status.
• Knowledge of broader safety standards (e.g., DEF STAN 00-055 / 00-056, IEC 61508, ISO 26262).

Why Apply?

• Flexible Working: Fully supported remote working setup with client site visits as required.
• Competitive Package: Excellent base salary (-75k85k), comprehensive pension plan, and generous holiday allowance.

Services advertised by Gold Group are those of an Agency and/or an Employment Business.
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