Staff Systems Safety Engineer

Mission Summary:

The Senior Systems Safety Engineer:

• Oversees the development and implementation of engineering safety processes for our autonomous vehicle systems

• Is responsible for reviewing hazards, risk assessments, and ensuring compliance with industry safety standards (ISO 26262, SOTIF, and ASIL).

• Collaborates with cross-functional teams, including software, hardware, and AI engineers, to ensure integration of safety into the design and validation of our AV system

Essential Duties:

• Ensure and oversee the development and implementation of system safety processes for autonomous vehicle platforms.

• Ensure hazard analysis and risk assessments (HARA) for AV components and subsystems are conducted.

• Assist in the definition and verification of functional safety requirements in compliance with ISO 26262 and SOTIF (ISO 21448).

• Collaborate with hardware, software, and AI teams to integrate safety measures into perception, decision-making, and control systems.

• Support the development of failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) and fault tree analysis (FTA) for AV systems.

• Ensure compliance with regulatory and industry safety standards, including SAE J3016, NHTSA, and UNECE WP.29.

• Ensure the development and execution of safety verification and validation plans, including simulation, testing, and real-world driving scenarios.

• Work with certification bodies and regulators to ensure safety case documentation and approval processes.

• Contribute to the development of safety culture within the organization by providing guidance and training

Qualifications:

Educational Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field

Technical / Specialized Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• 5+ years industry and 3+ years of experience in safety engineering for automotive, aerospace, or robotics systems.

• Strong knowledge of functional safety standards (ISO 26262, SOTIF, ASIL).

• Knowledge of systems / software engineering standards (INCOSE, ISO15288, ASPICE CMMI)

• Experience with hazard analysis, risk assessment, and safety case development.

• Proficiency in safety analysis tools (e.g., Medini Analyze, Ansys, Fault Tree+, FMEA software).

• Familiarity with autonomous vehicle architectures, including perception, planning, and control systems.

• Experience working with real-time embedded systems and software safety.

• Strong problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills.

• Experience with machine learning safety challenges in AVs.

• Knowledge of cybersecurity principles related to vehicle safety (ISO/SAE 21434).

• Experience in safety assurance for AI-driven systems.

• Previous work with automotive OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, or AV startups

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk, or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand and at times for long periods; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and move up to 50 pounds.

Working Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a team member encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the team member is regularly exposed to the office environment, outside weather conditions, road conditions, and pedestrian traffic. The team member is regularly exposed to mechanical and computer parts. The team member is occasionally exposed to fumes and airborne particles. The noise level in the environment is low to moderate. When traveling, the team member will be exposed to airports, airplanes, hotels and public transportation environments.

This role is based in our Pittsburgh or Las Vegas office and requires in-office days each week.

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors including but not limited to specific skills, experience and expertise, role location, certifications, licenses, and business needs. The estimated compensation range listed in this job posting reflects base salary only. This role may include additional forms of compensation such as a bonus or company equity. The recruiter assigned to this role can share more information about the specific compensation and benefit details associated with this role during the hiring process.

Candidates for certain positions are eligible to participate in Motional’s benefits program. Motional’s benefits include but are not limited to medical, dental, vision, 401k with a company match, health saving accounts, life insurance, pet insurance, and more.

Salary Range
$176,000—$242,000 USD

Motional is a driverless technology company making autonomous vehicles a safe, reliable, and accessible reality. We’re driven by something more.

Our journey is always people first.

We aren't just developing driverless cars; we're creating safer roadways, more equitable transportation options, and making our communities better places to live, work, and connect. Our team is made up of engineers, researchers, innovators, dreamers and doers, who are creating a technology with the potential to transform the way we move.

Higher purpose, greater impact.

We’re creating first-of-its-kind technology that will transform transportation. To do so successfully, we must design for everyone in our cities and on our roads. We believe in building a great place to work through a progressive, global culture that is diverse, inclusive, and ensures people feel valued at every level of the organization. Diversity helps us to see the world differently; it’s not only good for our business, it’s the right thing to do.

Scale up, not starting up.

Our team is behind some of the industry's largest leaps forward, including the first fully-autonomous cross-country drive in the U.S, the launch of the world's first robotaxi pilot, and operation of the world's longest-standing public robotaxi fleet. We’re driven to scale; we’re moving towards commercialization of our technology, and we need team members who are ready to embrace change and challenges.

Formed as a joint venture between Hyundai Motor Group and Aptiv, Motional is fundamentally changing how people move through their lives. Headquartered in Boston, Motional has operations in the U.S and Asia. For more information, visit www.Motional.com and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.

Motional AD Inc. is an EOE. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. To comply with Federal Law, we participate in E-Verify. All newly-hired employees are queried through this electronic system established by the DHS and the SSA to verify their identity and employment eligibility.