Software Assurance Engineer

Software Assurance Engineer£65,000 - £80,0001 day per week onsiteZenovo are seeking an experienced Software Assurance Engineer to evaluate software lifecycle processes and outputs against the requirements of BS EN 50716, BS EN 50128, and BS EN 50657. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring that software developed for safety-critical systems achieves the required Safety Integrity Level (SIL 1-4) and is demonstrably fit for its intended purpose.This is a highly responsible and independent role, requiring deep technical competence, analytical ability, and a strong understanding of safety standards and lifecycle assurance within complex embedded or control software systems.Key Responsibilities

• Develop a full understanding of the software and its operational environment.
• Produce and maintain a Software Assessment Plan in line with BS EN 50716 requirements.
• Evaluate the conformity of the software process and deliverables to applicable standards and assigned SIL levels.
• Assess the competence of project personnel and the adequacy of the organisation's development processes.
• Evaluate verification, validation, configuration management, and quality management systems, ensuring traceable evidence of compliance.
• Conduct safety audits and inspections at appropriate development phases, including witnessing of testing activities.
• Identify, assess, and document any non-conformities or deviations from requirements, evaluating their safety impact.
• Ensure that the assessment plan is implemented and that all findings are clearly documented in a Software Assessment Report.
• Provide an independent professional judgment on the software's fitness for purpose, including any constraints, assumptions, or risks.
• Maintain thorough assessment records and provide recommendations for improvement or risk control.

Key Competencies & Experience:

• Proven technical competence in software engineering within a safety-critical or regulated domain (e.g. rail, automotive, aerospace, medical, industrial).
• In-depth understanding of BS EN 50716, BS EN 50128, and/or BS EN 50657.
• Experience in software lifecycle assurance, assessment, or certification to SIL 1-4.
• Strong grasp of quality, configuration, validation, and verification processes.
• Familiarity with safety management systems, risk assessment, and change control processes.
• Analytical thinking, keen observation, and the ability to synthesise diverse evidence into a clear compliance view.
• Excellent documentation and reporting skills, capable of producing robust and auditable reports.
• Recognition or acceptance by a relevant safety authority (or the ability to obtain such recognition).
• The ability to work independently from the project team while engaging constructively with suppliers, customers, and other stakeholders.