Location: Glasgow, United KingdomThales people architect solutions that are relied upon to deliver operational advantage at every decisive moment throughout the mission. Defence and armed forces customers rely on us to deliver the full range of defensive systems for land, sea, and air. From early warning, to threat neutralisation, our platforms cover all levels from very short-range systems, to extended protection across the entire battle-space including Airspace Mobility Solutions, Vehicles and Tactical Systems and Missile Defence, Optronics, and Radar.Together we offer fantastic opportunities for committed employees to learn and develop their career with us. At Thales UK, we research, develop, and supply technology and services that impact the lives of millions of people each day to make life better, and keep us safer. We innovate across the major industries of Aerospace, Defence, Security and Space. Your health and well-being matters to us and that’s why we offer you the flexibility to do what’s important to you; whether that’s part time hours, job sharing, home working, or the ability to flex your start and finish times. Where possible, we support a working pattern that suits your lifestyle and helps you reach your ambitions.
Explosives Technician/ Explosives Safety Officer
Location: Glasgow
Role: Full Time
Hours: 4 day week Monday-Thursday / 37 hours per week
A fantastic opportunity has arisen from opportunity for an Explosives Technician to join our team. You will also have the additional responsibility of being the Explosives Safety Officer to manage all onsite explosives processing and safety at Glasgow.
You will manage the explosive stock account whilst ensuring all company safety procedures are followed and all on-site explosive processing remains within the requirements of the HSE driven Explosive Regulations 2014.
As the Explosives Safety Officer, you will have exposure across all key functions in Glasgow interfacing with various internal departments and external bodies such as our customers, HSE and Police Scotland. Primary Purpose of the Role:
You will be directly responsible for managing all Health & Safety matters related to explosive processing whilst providing explosive safety and technical advice to the Glasgow manufacturing department as required.
A highly safety focussed individual is sought for. You will also manage the explosive stock account and oversee all onsite explosive processing whilst ensuring compliance with local and external policy.
To be successful, you will be able to demonstrate that you can work independently as well as part of a wider team. You will have a lot of self-motivation and you will thrive working in a highly safety conscious explosives environment where you are trusted to deliver.
Key Responsibilities:
- Ensure all explosive facilities in Glasgow remain fit for purpose and meet required safety standards
- Oversee on‑site explosive processing in compliance with HSE Guidelines and Explosives Regulations 2014
- Manage explosive stock accounts, ensuring licence limits and quantities remain within HSE allocations
- Apply safe systems of work for explosives, with strong knowledge of handling and processing methods
- Interpret and follow Work Instruction Sheets (W.I.S.) accurately
- Conduct explosives in line with safety procedures (e.g., HAPTM checks, environmental considerations)
- Perform complex mechanical assembly in explosive environments and build electronic assemblies
- Read and interpret technical drawings and wiring diagrams
- Carry out manufacturing operations to defined quality standards and company processes
- Undertake product self‑assessment, approval, and configuration management
- Use company tools (ERP, Palma, etc.) for product assembly and documentation
- Detect faults or non‑compliance, raise alerts, and contribute to diagnostics/root cause analysis
- Support continuous improvement initiatives within explosives processing areas
- Undertake Free From Explosives (FFE) certification activities
- Contribute to the generation, review, and evaluation of standard operating procedures
- Act as responsible person for receipt and dispatch of explosives from Glasgow
- Conduct stock‑taking, reconciling physical counts against logbooks and MRP systems
- Lead explosive safety audits and implement corrective actions
- Provide technical and safety advice to the manufacturing department
- Carry out COSHH and risk assessments for explosive activities
- Oversee explosive disposal processes on site
- Document future health & safety requirements and ensure compliance
- Deliver training and safety certification for explosive workers/handlers
- Represent explosive safety as Subject Matter Expert (SME) on the Glasgow Health & Safety Committee
Skills & Experience
- Proven experience working within an explosives environment, with knowledge of safety, hazards, effects, and compatibility
- Recognised explosives safety certification (highly desirable)
- Strong understanding of HSE Guidelines (Explosives Regulations 2014, L150 Safety Provisions, L151 Security Provisions)
- Experience managing explosive safety, including writing safety policies
- Ability to conduct COSHH and risk assessments effectively
- Skilled in conducting safety audits and proposing remedial actions to ensure compliance
- Capable of providing technical and safety advice on explosives, and managing incidents with appropriate follow‑up actions
- IPC (J‑STD) qualification desirable but not essential
- Reasonable IT literacy with ability to use ERP systems
- Eligible to obtain full SC clearance
- Dangerous Goods ADR trained (highly desirable)
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In line with Thales' Baseline Security requirements, candidates will be asked to provide evidence of identity, eligibility to work in the UK and employment and/or education history for up to three years. Some vacancies may require full Security Clearance which can require further evidence to be provided. For further details of the evidence required to apply for Baseline and Security Clearance please refer to the Defence Business Services National Security Vetting (DBS NSV) Agency.
At Thales we provide CAREERS and not only jobs. With Thales employing 80,000 employees in 68 countries our mobility policy enables thousands of employees each year to develop their careers at home and abroad, in their existing areas of expertise or by branching out into new fields. Together we believe that embracing flexibility is a smarter way of working.
Thales UK is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment process. We will provide reasonable adjustments and support to ensure neuro-diverse applicants or those with a disability or long-term condition can be their best during the recruitment process. To request an adjustment,if you need this job advert in an alternative format or if you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Resourcing Ops for mid to senior roles, or the Early Careers Team for graduate and apprentice roles.
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