Safety engineer
Also known as
Work environment
- Usually work regular business hours but may work irregular hours or be on call
- Usually work in offices and outdoors and may travel locally or nationally
- Need to be accurate, safety conscious and identify and solve problems
Salary information
Typical tasks
- Investigate safety of work environment
- Research product safety
- Update technical knowledge
- Teach safety standards or environmental compliance methods
- Advise others on health and safety issues
- Maintain operational records or records systems
- Document design or operational test results
- Explain engineering drawings, specifications, or other technical information
- Evaluate designs or specifications to ensure quality
- Prepare procedural documents
Outlook
Safety engineering is increasingly important as organisations design safer equipment, processes, buildings and infrastructure. In New Zealand, stronger attention to workplace risk, major hazards and resilient infrastructure supports the field. Digital sensors, simulation and data analysis can identify hazards earlier, while new technologies such as automation and battery systems create new safety challenges. International standards continue to influence local engineering practice.
What employers and industry want in graduates
- Strong engineering and technical problem-solving ability
- Ability to identify hazards and assess risks
- Knowledge of safety standards, regulations and safety-by-design principles
- Confidence using data, modelling and investigation methods
- Clear communication of technical risks and controls
- Practical judgement and commitment to continuous improvement
AUT programmes
The above is a suggestion only and a starting point. You may need to meet other criteria or take additional steps to work in this career.
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This data is sourced from the Tertiary Education Commission through the Tahatū Career Navigator website (www.tahtu.govt.nz) and used under the CC BY 4.0 licence. Some of the information has been modified by AUT. TEC has not approved, endorsed or tested these modifications. TEC will not be held accountable for any errors within this data.