Head of Safety & Security - Autonomous and Connected Systems

McLaren Bahrain; Woking; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative company is seeking a Head of Safety & Security to lead safety assurance and cybersecurity for cutting-edge autonomous vehicle platforms. This role involves defining safety architectures, managing compliance strategies, and collaborating with engineering teams to embed security safeguards. With a focus on AI-native autonomy and connected services, this position offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of intelligent vehicles. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in safety leadership and a passion for advancing automotive technology in a dynamic environment.

Benefits

Structured career development

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Enhanced pension

Discretionary bonus

Private medical insurance

Life assurance

Sabbatical options

Flexible benefits

Parental leave

Wellbeing programs

Qualifications

• Proven leadership in safety and cybersecurity for autonomous systems.
• Deep knowledge of functional safety and AI safety standards.
• Experience with regulatory compliance for ADAS/AD systems.

Responsibilities

• Define safety and cybersecurity architecture across AI stack and cloud systems.
• Lead functional safety strategies ensuring ISO compliance.
• Manage homologation strategies and type approval submissions.

Skills

Leadership in safety and cybersecurity

Functional safety knowledge

AI safety standards

Regulatory compliance for ADAS/AD

Threat defense and cryptography

OTA security

Cloud-vehicle trust architecture

Job description

Head of Safety & Security - Autonomous and Connected Systems

Join to apply for the Head of Safety & Security - Autonomous and Connected Systems role at McLaren Bahrain

Role Overview

We are recruiting a Head of Safety & Security – Autonomous and Connected Systems to join our Autonomous, Connected Mobility and AI team in Woking. You will lead safety assurance, cybersecurity, and compliance strategies for McLaren’s next-generation intelligent vehicle platforms, including AI-native autonomy, connected services, OTA pipelines, and cloud infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities

• Define safety and cybersecurity architecture across AI stack, autonomy platform, OTA infrastructure, and cloud systems.
• Lead functional safety strategies and implementation for ADAS/AD and connected systems, ensuring ISO compliance, fault diagnostics, and failover strategies.
• Manage homologation strategies and type approval submissions for global markets.
• Own certification processes for software-defined features and AI functions, including explainability and traceability.
• Develop safety-case frameworks, integrating runtime assurance and post-deployment analytics.
• Create AI-assisted validation methods for learned behaviors and risk detection.
• Lead zero-trust OTA security architecture, cryptographic deployment, and intrusion detection systems.
• Establish fleet-scale security monitoring and anomaly detection infrastructure.
• Collaborate across engineering teams to embed safety and security safeguards into vehicle systems.
• Represent McLaren in safety and AI regulation forums.

Qualifications and Experience

• Proven leadership in safety and cybersecurity for autonomous or complex embedded systems.
• Deep knowledge of functional safety, AI safety standards, and vehicle homologation pathways.
• Experience with regulatory compliance for ADAS/AD systems globally.
• Technical expertise in motion control validation, AI safety testing, and safety modeling.
• Expertise in threat defense, cryptography, OTA security, and cloud-vehicle trust architecture.
• Track record of safety sign-off from concept to production.

Benefits

• Structured career development.
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays, with buy & sell options.
• Enhanced pension, discretionary bonus, private medical insurance, life assurance.
• Sabbatical options after two years.
• Flexible benefits, parental leave, wellbeing programs.

About Us

McLaren Automotive creates high-performance cars, driven by innovation, diversity, and a passion for excellence. We are committed to equal opportunities and fostering an inclusive environment.

Additional Details

Seniority level: Executive

Employment type: Full-time

Job functions: Other, IT, Management

Industry: Motor Vehicle Manufacturing