Sr Staff Functional Safety Engineer

Location
Irvine, CA (Remote)
Listed
Today

Role Summary

Join a team of safety experts building next-generation Electric Vehicle technology. As a technical leader for hardware functional safety, you will define and own the safety concept for zonal ECUs, 48V power distribution, and infotainment platforms, balancing safety, performance, and cost. You will also mentor engineers and set the safety standards across the hardware organization.

What You’ll Do

Technical ownership

  • Own functional safety design and execution for current and next-generation vehicle architectures.
  • Define the hardware technical safety concept for complex zonal and network architectures based on mixed voltage domains including 48V.
  • Drive HW safety requirements and safety mechanisms (diagnostics, redundancy, monitoring, safe states).
  • Perform and review FMEDA, FTA, DFA, and PMHF/SPFM/LFM analyses to meet ASIL targets.

Cross-functional collaboration

  • Partner with EE, Systems, Software, and Test teams to define architectural requirements for new HW platforms.
  • Align with suppliers and semiconductor partners on safety manuals, assumptions of use, and DIA.
  • Support safety case and assessment activities, including audits and independent reviews.

Verification and validation

  • Establish test plans to verify and validate HW safety requirements, including fault injection.
  • Collaborate on test infrastructure and automation to keep programs on schedule.

Leadership

  • Mentor safety engineers, set review standards, and grow team capability.
  • Mature safety work products and processes across ECU platforms and the HW organization.
  • Influence stakeholders and resolve safety trade-offs at the program level.

What You’ll Bring

Required

  • Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering or an equivalent engineering degree.
  • 10+ years of functional safety experience in automotive, industrial, or aerospace (7+ with demonstrated technical leadership).
  • Hands-on application of ISO 26262:2018 (Parts 5 and 11 especially) or IEC 61508 Parts 1, 2, and 3.
  • Strong command of FMEDA, FTA, DFA, and PMHF, plus ASIL decomposition and freedom from interference.
  • Deeper understanding of analog and digital circuit analysis skills, including high speed interfaces and network connectivity,.
  • Proven record of working across HW, SW, mechanical, and manufacturing teams on multiple programs.
  • Experience mentoring or leading engineers, formally or as a technical lead.

Preferred

  • 48V systems experience (DC-DC converters, eFuses, battery isolation, power distribution).
  • Zonal or centralized E/E architecture experience.
  • Infotainment, display, or SoC safety experience.
  • Familiarity with safety tools (e.g., Medini, Isograph Reliability Workbench, or equivalent FTA/FMEDA tools).

Total Rewards

We build the exceptional - and we believe the people doing that work should be rewarded accordingly. In addition to a competitive base salary, full-time positions may be is eligible to participate in our annual company performance bonus program.

Payments are discretionary and not guaranteed; actual amounts depend on company results and the terms of the plan in effect, and require active employment at the time of payout. This role is also eligible for equity in the form of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), subject to board approval and the terms of our equity incentive plans, including applicable vesting requirements.

In addition to our compensation programs, we invest in our people with a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the health, wellbeing, and financial future for full-time employees - including health coverage, retirement savings, time off, and family planning programs. Offerings vary by country.

External candidates can apply for this role through the Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies careers site.

About US

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies is a joint venture between two industry leaders with a clear vision for automotive’s next chapter. From operating systems to zonal controllers to cloud and connectivity solutions, we’re addressing the challenges of electric vehicles through technology that will set the standards for software-defined vehicles around the world.

The road to the future is uncharted. By combining our expertise across connectivity, AI, security and more, we’ll map a new way forward. Working together, we’ll create a future that’s more connected, more intelligent, more sustainable for everyone.

Read the original posting

From Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies's careers page, first listed on Rolev.ai on November 12, 2026. Rolev.ai is not the employer.

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Common questions

Where is the Sr Staff Functional Safety Engineer job at Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies located?

Yes, this Sr Staff Functional Safety Engineer opening at Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies is listed as Irvine, CA (Remote). Always check Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies's application page for specific state eligibility or relocation policies.

How do I apply for the Sr Staff Functional Safety Engineer position at Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies?

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