Functional Safety Engineer

Job Title: Functional Safety Engineer Lead

Job Location: Novi, MI

The Functional Safety (FuSa) Lead is responsible for defining, developing, and governing

safety strategies across High Voltage Energy and Drive. This position is responsible for the

creation and maintenance of safety plans and tracking the progress of safety cases across

the safety lifecycle from the concept phase to release for production.

Become part of an iconic brand that is set to revolutionize the electric pick-up truck and rugged SUV marketplace by achieving the following:

• Partner with Functional Safety teams to align Hazard Analysis and Risk Assessment (HARA), Safety Goals, with opportunities across multiple domains: 1) high voltage Energy, 2) Drive, 3) Body Electronics, 4) Crash Safety, 5) ADAS with SOTIF strategies and automated driving features.

• Lead the development, documentation, and maintenance of Technical Safety Concepts and Technical Safety Requirements, ensuring appropriate allocation across system components, including sensors, ECUs, software, actuators, networks, and operational assets.
• Define safety concepts and requirements and support EE and Software architecture design and integration at system-level and at component-level.
• Collaborate with stakeholders through System "V" development from concept to launch with design reviews and CFT including R&D engineering, manufacturing, studio design, quality, and customer experience teams.
• Perform, support, and review impact analyses, HARA, FTA, DFA, DFMEA, and other safety analyses.
• Collaborate with internal and external teams to develop component and system design, functional, End of Line specifications, detailed test methods and system level DFMEA, DV, PV for complex mechatronic systems.
• Support analytical development using model-based design, MBSE/MBD simulation toolsets, MIL/SIL/HIL
• Champion of first principles design methodology and use extensive problem-solving methods for issue resolution.
• Develop and maintain Best Functional Safety Practices: Design Standards, Test Procedures, Technical Specifications, etc.
• Champion a strong safety culture across teams and disciplines. Translate high-level safety objectives into structured safety arguments (e.g., GSN), including clear claims, sub-claims, and traceable evidence.
• Act as the subject matter expert for safety case topics in design reviews, program milestones, release gates, and change control processes.
• Contribute to the development of a scalable Safety Management System (SMS), including governance frameworks, metrics, and review mechanisms.

Location & Travel Expectations:

• This role requires 4-5 days per week in the office, with regular in-person meetings and events.
• Applicants should expect that the role will require the ability to convene with colleagues in person and travel to participate in events on behalf of the company from time to time.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree Electrical/Systems Engineering, Computer Science, or related fields.

• 8-15 years of practice in functional safety, system safety, or safety assurance within automotive, autonomous systems, robotics, or other safety-critical domains.
• Proven experience completing at least one full safety lifecycle from concept through production launch (SOP) for complex systems.
• Demonstrated expertise in developing and maintaining structured safety cases, including claims, arguments, and evidence. Subject matter expert in Functional Safety, Systems Engineering Complex systems design with EE, SW integration.
• Deep understanding of ISO 26262 and experience in bringing its principles to practice
• Hands-on experience with safety analysis methodologies such as HARA, FMEA, FTA, and STPA.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate complex safety concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong systems-thinking mindset, with the ability to translate high-level risk concepts into practical engineering solutions.
• Demonstrated leadership through influence, with the ability to drive alignment across cross-functional teams in ambiguous environments.
• AI/ML experience
• ADAS Safety of the Intended Functionality (ISO 21448 SOTIF) and UL 4600 standard experience is beneficial.
• Extensive experience working with Automotive Systems or Mechatronics Products, from Drive or Energy.
• Domain/working knowledge of SW controls, EE, Electronics, and expertise in development, testing and validation methods of mechatronics systems.
• Familiarity with A2B, CAN, Automotive Ethernet, LIN, LVDS communication protocols and Vehicle Network tools, such as CANalyzer, CANoe, etc.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with advanced ADAS and autonomous systems, including multi sensor perception stacks (camera, radar, LiDAR, ultrasonic, GNSS/IMU, HD maps).
• Ownership or significant contribution to UL 4600-aligned safety cases or equivalent autonomy safety frameworks.
• Familiarity with ISO 8800 and emerging safety standards.
• Knowledge of AI/ML safety considerations, including data pipeline validation, performance monitoring, and operational design domain (ODD) frameworks.
• Experience in fast-paced or startup environments, with the ability to balance rigor and execution speed.
• Exposure with external regulatory reviews, audits, or certification processes related to Safety Compliance.
• Expertise in functional safety of HV energy systems le from concept through production launch (SOP) for complex systems.
• Demonstrated expertise in developing and maintaining structured safety cases, including claims, arguments, and evidence. Subject matter expert in Functional Safety, Systems Engineering Complex systems design with EE, SW integration.
• Deep understanding of ISO 26262 and experience in bringing its principles to practice
• Hands-on experience with safety analysis methodologies such as HARA, FMEA, FTA, and STPA.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate complex safety concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong systems-thinking mindset, with the ability to translate high-level risk concepts into practical engineering solutions.
• Demonstrated leadership through influence, with the ability to drive alignment across cross-functional teams in ambiguous environments.