Functional Safety Program Lead (IEC 61508 & ISO 13849)

FORT Robotics; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

FORT Robotics is seeking a Functional Safety Manager to own all safety standards and regulatory requirements for our products. You will be the named safety manager accountable for the lifecycle that proves compliance with IEC 61508, ISO 13849, IEC 62061, and related sector standards.

You will lead safety plans, gate criteria, and safety cases; manage certification bodies; and oversee EU Machinery Regulation readiness ahead of 2027.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in functional safety as a practising engineer in regulated industries.
• Led at least one product through third-party certification end-to-end.
• Deep fluency in IEC 61508 parts 1–3, including Annex D.
• Working knowledge of ISO 13849 and IEC 62061 from the supplier side.
• Ability to critically review safety analyses and challenge gaps.
• Comfort with influence rather than line authority.
• B.S. or higher in engineering or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Own the safety standards picture across IEC 61508, ISO 13849, IEC 62061 and sector standards our customers build to.
• Serve as named Functional Safety Manager: manage the safety plan, lifecycle phases and gate criteria, competence records, and the safety case.
• Hold the gates and be accountable for evidence adequacy at every lifecycle phase.
• Author safety manuals and subsystem data packs for customers.
• Own certification body relationships end-to-end: scope, submissions, findings, surveillance.
• Run regulatory watch: EU Machinery Regulation readiness ahead of 2027 and standards revisions.
• Close the loop from field modifications and safety anomalies into the safety argument.

Skills

Functional safety experience

Certification experience

IEC 61508

ISO 13849

IEC 62061

Safety analysis review

Influence without authority

Engineering degree

Education

B.S. or higher in engineering

Job description

FORT Robotics is seeking a Functional Safety Manager to own all safety standards and regulatory requirements for our products. You will be the named safety manager accountable for the lifecycle that proves compliance with IEC 61508, ISO 13849, IEC 62061, and related sector standards.

You will lead safety plans, gate criteria, and safety cases; manage certification bodies; and oversee EU Machinery Regulation readiness ahead of 2027.