Lead Functional Safety Architect – Propulsion & Dynamics

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 200,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

RSUs equity

Comprehensive benefits

Health coverage

Job summary

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies seeks a Staff Functional Safety Engineer to own the chassis safety strategy across multiple vehicle programs. You will define ASIL decomposition, drive safety analyses, and mentor engineers while coordinating with Tier 1 suppliers and external assessors.

You will lead safety validation, set budgets, and ensure traceability from requirements to production, fostering AI-assisted workflows that preserve ISO 26262 rigor within a global program.

Qualifications

• Degree in Electrical/Electronic, Mechatronics, or similar engineering discipline.
• 10+ years in automotive as a systems and/or functional safety engineer; IC-level safety concept development.
• Deep ISO 26262 expertise with production-ready concepts.

Responsibilities

• Own chassis functional safety architecture across multiple programs; define safety concept patterns and ASIL decomposition.
• Lead high-complexity safety analyses: system/software HARA, FTA, FMEA, DFA for by-wire steering/braking.
• Set and defend safety budgets and safe-state definitions; arbitrate availability vs fault-reaction requirements.
• Define requirements strategy and ensure traceability across domains.
• Own safety validation strategy: fault insertion campaigns, HIL, vehicle-level testing, qualification criteria.
• Engage with Tier 1 suppliers and external assessors on safety concepts; review safety cases.
• Drive cross-domain safety alignment with propulsion, ADAS, E/E, and software teams.
• Mentor safety engineers; drive reviews and improve analysis quality.
• Establish team methodologies: templates, checklists, tooling, AI-assisted workflows.
• Own the safety case through Start of Production sign-off and present to leadership.

Skills

ISO 26262

Safety analyses

HARA/FTA/FMEA

V&V

Cross-domain alignment

Mentoring

AI-assisted workflows

Architecture trade-offs

ADAS integration

Education

Electrical/Electronic

Mechatronics

Tools

CAN/LIN/Ethernet/FlexRay

HIL testing

Requirements tools

Job description

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies seeks a Staff Functional Safety Engineer to own the chassis safety strategy across multiple vehicle programs. You will define ASIL decomposition, drive safety analyses, and mentor engineers while coordinating with Tier 1 suppliers and external assessors.

You will lead safety validation, set budgets, and ensure traceability from requirements to production, fostering AI-assisted workflows that preserve ISO 26262 rigor within a global program.