Job description template · Functional safety
Functional Safety Engineer
StageUnknownStandardsISO 26262 · IEC 61508 · ISO 21448 (SOTIF)IndustryAutomotiveSeniorityMid-levelRegionMichigan, USWork modeUnknownSource year2026Company sizeUnknownBenefitsadapt to your organisation
This role is currently open. See the posting.
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Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain a safety plan to meet customer program timing.
- Create and review Item Definition and Hazard AnalysisThe umbrella term for systematic techniques that identify how a system can cause harm and evaluate the resulting risk, from early preliminary analyses to detailed causal studies. Read more and Risk Assessments.
- Perform and review necessary safety analysis (e.g., FTA, FMEAFailure Modes and Effects Analysis: a bottom-up method cataloging how components fail and what effects those failures produce. Read more, FMEDAFailure Modes, Effects and Diagnostic Analysis: quantitative failure analysis producing safe/dangerous failure rates and diagnostic coverage. Read more, DFA).
- Derive safety requirements and create functional and technical safety concepts.
- Support the implementation of safety requirements at hardware and software levels.
- Perform Functional SafetyThe part of overall safety that depends on a system or equipment operating correctly in response to its inputs, including safe management of faults and failures. Read more architecture and design reviews at system, hardware, and software level.
- Define required tests for verification and validation of safety requirements.
- Support safety reviews, process audits, and product functional safety assessments.
- Apply functional safety practices to products in the areas of Electrified Mobility, Intelligent Mobility (ADAS/AD), and Connected Mobility.
- Simultaneously manage involvement in multiple development projects while maintaining direct interaction with customers.
Requirements
- B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or similar field.
- 1-5 years of relevant experience in systems, software, hardware, controls, or automotive engineering.
- 1 year of relevant experience in functional safety areas.
- Knowledge of ISO 26262Road Vehicles - Functional Safety. Automotive functional safety standard defining ASILAutomotive Safety Integrity Level (A to D) under ISO 26262, derived from severity, exposure, and controllability. Read more levels and the automotive safety lifecycle. Read more, ISO 21448SOTIFSafety Of The Intended Functionality: absence of unreasonable risk from functional insufficiencies or foreseeable misuse, per ISO 21448. Read more - Safety of the Intended Functionality. Addresses hazards from functional insufficiencies and foreseeable misuse in autonomous and driver-assistance systems. Read more, IEC 61508Functional Safety of E/E/PE Safety-Related Systems. The umbrella functional safety standard defining the safety lifecycle, SILA discrete level (SIL 1 to SIL 4) specifying the required risk reduction and dependability of a safety function under IEC 61508 and its sector standards. Read more levels, and requirements for electrical, electronic, and programmable systems. Read more, or similar industry safety standards is required.
- Experience in functional safety development of complex vehicle electrical systems.
- Experience in ISO 26262-based processes for risk analysis, safety concept development, and safety analysis methods including FMEA and FTA.
- Experience supporting functional safety activities throughout the product development lifecycle, including HARAHazard Analysis and Risk Assessment: the concept-phase activity and resulting document that identifies hazards and derives safety goals and integrity targets. Read more, safety analyses (e.g., FTA, FMEA, FMEDA, DFA), safety concept development, requirement engineering, architecture review, and testing.
- Demonstrated ability in interpreting and assessing complex vehicle systems and architectures regarding safety.
Nice to have
- Experience in multiple industries (e.g., automotive, commercial vehicles, off-highway, etc.).
- Experience with FMEA and FTA tools such as Reliability Work Bench, ANSYS Medini Analyze, or similar.
- Ability to interpret MATLAB/Simulink models and C/C++.
- Organized project management skills.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Professional communication skills to present and interact with clients.
- Highly motivated with effective organizational skills and team working abilities.