Operational Safety Engineer
Location: Northern Germany (On-site)
About the Opportunity
Our client is one of Europe’s most exciting venture-backed deep technology businesses, developing highly complex engineering systems at the intersection of aerospace, advanced manufacturing and defence.
Having recently secured significant investment, the company is now transitioning from research and development into industrial operations and rapidly expanding its engineering and manufacturing capability.
As part of this growth, they are building a dedicated Operational Safety function to ensure world-class safety standards are embedded into every aspect of the organisation from day one.
We are therefore looking to appoint one or two safety professionals, including an experienced Operational Safety Engineer and potentially a more junior Safety Officer, to help build the function alongside the Head of Safety.
The Opportunity
This is a rare opportunity to help establish an entire safety department within one of Europe’s fastest-growing ‘dual-use technology’ defence and space startups.
Working alongside the Head of Safety, you will be responsible for developing safety processes, implementing operational safety systems, interpreting complex regulations and ensuring safe working practices across laboratories, workshops, manufacturing facilities and external test sites.
The role combines engineering, regulation, project work and operational support, making it ideal for someone who enjoys solving new problems rather than following established procedures.
No two days will be the same.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Help develop the company’s operational safety function from the ground up.
- Interpret German and international regulations relating to hazardous operations and industrial safety.
- Produce operational instructions, risk assessments and safety documentation.
- Develop safety concepts for new facilities, equipment and engineering activities.
- Support the implementation of fire protection, ESD protection and other engineering safety systems.
- Review engineering processes to ensure safe working practices are embedded.
- Liaise with external advisors, regulatory authorities and specialist consultants.
- Conduct workplace inspections and ensure compliance with internal procedures.
- Support hazardous materials management and dangerous goods processes.
- Assist with planning and supporting external test campaigns and launch activities where safety representation is required.
- Help build scalable safety processes capable of supporting rapid company growth.
What We’re Looking For
We’re interested in individuals who enjoy taking ownership and solving complex operational challenges.
You might come from aerospace, defence, chemicals, manufacturing, automotive, energy or another highly regulated engineering environment.
You’ll ideally bring:
- Engineering degree (Mechanical, Aerospace, Chemical, Industrial or similar) for the more senior position.
- Alternatively, previous experience as a Safety Officer or Safety Coordinator within an industrial environment.
- Around 3-5 years’ experience, although exceptional junior candidates will also be considered.
- Strong organisational skills and exceptional attention to detail.
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
- Comfortable researching unfamiliar regulations and translating them into practical procedures.
- Excellent written documentation skills.
- Willingness to work across both technical engineering activities and general operational safety.
- Fluent German and English (written and spoken) are essential.
- Willingness to travel occasionally to customer sites, test facilities or launch locations.
The Type of Person Who Will Thrive
This role would suit someone who:
- Takes ownership naturally.
- Enjoys learning new technical subjects.
- Likes building systems rather than maintaining existing ones.
- Is pragmatic and solutions-focused.
- Can balance engineering progress with safe operational practices.
- Is excited by working in a fast-moving startup where priorities evolve quickly.
What’s on Offer
- Salary starting commensurate with experience plus bonus and equity package.
- Significant opportunity for career progression as the organisation scales.
- Work alongside some of Europe’s leading engineers developing genuinely cutting-edge technology.
- Be one of the first members of a growing Safety function with the opportunity to shape how it evolves.
- Join a collaborative, ambitious engineering culture where you’ll have real ownership and impact from day one.
To apply for this job please visit www.aplitrak.com.
