Site Safety Lead

About the Role

Are you ready to be part of the future? At QinetiQ, we’re not just imagining tomorrow, we are creating it. From cutting-edge defence technology to ground-breaking innovations, our mission is to empower and protect lives. Join us as a Site Safety Lead at our Fort Halstead site, where you will have the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology in partnership with some of the most brilliant minds.

As a Site Safety Lead, you will act in a “business partner” capacity to provide support and competent, professional safety advice to the Site Operational Team. Your role will be crucial in developing and continually improving all aspects of our safety culture, performance, and management in accordance with the safety management system and relevant legislative requirements.

Day-to-day, you’ll drive a step change in the safety culture across the business, contributing to improved safety performance.

Your Responsibilities Will Include:

• Lead by example to promote a positive safety culture, demonstrating strong leadership behaviours and embedding Care and Thrive values across the site.
• Partner with site leadership to provide expert HSE advice and support to operational teams, ensuring compliance and competence.
• Drive the implementation of HSE legislation, policies, strategies, and objectives through strong stakeholder engagement and professional collaboration.
• Deliver safety improvements through training, coaching, mentoring, and effective communication with internal and external stakeholders.
• Lead and support accident, incident, and occupational health investigations, providing expert guidance and ensuring effective resolution and learning.
• Monitor and improve HSE performance through audits, inspections, reporting, ISO compliance, environmental management, continuous improvement, and adherence to current legislation.

Essential Experience:

• Strong practical expertise in Health & Safety management systems, including implementation and continuous improvement of ISO 45001, with awareness of ISO 14001 requirements.
• Proven experience leading site safety initiatives, driving behavioural change, and improving safety performance within complex operational and matrix environments.
• Extensive knowledge of operations, engineering, and service delivery, supported by hands-on HSE management experience in practitioner or operational leadership roles.
• Skilled in accident and incident investigation, including root cause analysis, regulatory engagement, and the management of workplace health and safety risks.
• Excellent communication, coaching, and influencing abilities, with a track record of engaging stakeholders at all levels to build safety capability and culture.

Essential Qualifications:

• NEBOSH (Level 3) General Certificate or equivalent.

We value difference and we don’t have a fixed idea when it comes to background or education. Provided you can show the required level of experience and willingness to learn, then we would like to hear from you.

This role is 37 hours per week based at our Fort Halstead site. Travel to other QinetiQ and customer sites will be expected.

Our facilities at Fort Halstead, located in Kent, focus on a wide range of defence-related research, particularly weapons systems and military technology. Modern laboratories enable engineers and scientists to conduct high-tech research in material science, systems engineering, and advanced simulation techniques.

Please note that all applicants for this role must be eligible for SC clearance, as a minimum.