Lead Functional Safety Engineer-Federal

Field AI; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full benefits

Equity

Generous time off

Job summary

Medium is seeking a Lead Functional Safety Engineer to enhance autonomous robotic systems for challenging environments. You will own the functional safety approach, architect systems for UGV platforms, and directly validate them in real-world scenarios. Ideal candidates will have a BS or MS in a relevant engineering field and hands-on expertise with Safety PLCs. This role is fully onsite in Irvine, California, offering a salary range of $70,000–$300,000 plus benefits and equity.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or Computer Engineering.
• Deep hands-on expertise in configuring Safety PLCs.
• Proven experience selecting and integrating hardware safety components.

Responsibilities

• Architect functional safety systems for unstructured construction environments.
• Select, integrate, and configure Safety PLCs and safety lidars.
• Deploy and validate safety systems directly on physical robots.

Skills

Hands-on expertise in configuring Safety PLCs

Collaboration with electrical and software engineers

Ownership mindset

Selecting and integrating safety components

Education

BS or MS in Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

Safety PLCs

Remote E-Stops

Safety lidars

Job description

Who are We?

Field AI is transforming how robots interact with the real world. We build risk‑aware, reliable, and field‑ready AI systems that address the most complex challenges in robotics, unlocking the full potential of embodied intelligence. Our solutions are globally deployed and continuously improve through real‑field applications.

About the Job

At FieldAI, we build autonomous robotic systems that operate in demanding, real‑world environments where tight integration between hardware and software is critical. We are looking for a Lead Functional Safety Engineer to support systems‑level design, integration, and validation for our wheeled robotic platforms across both federal and commercial programs.

In this role you will serve as the team’s resident safety expert and primary individual contributor, owning our approach to UGV functional safety. You will design and deploy supervised safety systems, lead the transition to non‑line‑of‑sight autonomous safety architecture, and lay the groundwork for a dedicated safety team as the company scales.

What You Will Do

1. Safety System Architecture & Design

• Architect functional safety systems for COTS UGV platforms navigating unstructured construction environments.
• Design and implement supervised safety systems, including remote E‑Stops and safe‑to‑approach indicator lighting.
• Design and implement non‑line‑of‑sight safety architectures, defining safe limited speed, collision avoidance, and automatic braking to enable autonomous operations without a safety operator in line‑of‑sight.

2. Hands‑on Hardware Configuration

• Select, integrate, and configure Safety PLCs, safety lidars, and related hardware components.
• Work closely with the Electrical Engineering team to guide wiring diagrams, harness designs, and physical integration of safety hardware.
• Directly write, implement, and test ladder logic and safety configurations on the PLCs.

3. Autonomy & Human‑Machine Interface Integration

• Design and implement safe transitions of control, allowing a human operator to seamlessly take over via an E‑Stop/RC unit and safely transfer control back to the autonomy stack.
• Ensure all vehicle safety states are clearly communicated to on‑site personnel through visual indicators and lighting.
• Collaborate with the core software team to establish reliable interfaces between hardware safety loops and high‑level autonomy software.

4. Field Deployment & Testing

• Deploy, verify, and validate safety systems directly on physical robots operating in real‑world construction environments.
• Troubleshoot, debug, and optimize system configurations to ensure maximum reliability and uptime in the field.

5. Technical Leadership & Scalability

• Serve as the resident functional safety expert, filling critical knowledge gaps and guiding technical strategy for the broader engineering team.
• Establish scalable safety testing and validation procedures for future vehicle platforms.
• Act as a foundational team member with the opportunity to hire, mentor, and build out a dedicated safety engineering team in the future.

What You Have

• BS or MS in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Computer Engineering, or a related field with significant relevant industry experience.
• Deep, hands‑on expertise in configuring, programming, and debugging Safety PLCs.
• Proven experience selecting and integrating hardware safety components such as remote E‑Stops, safety relays, and safety lidars.
• Strong ownership mindset with the ability to operate as a self‑directed individual contributor and technical authority.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with electrical engineers (for wiring/integration) and software engineers (for system handoffs).

The Extras That Set You Apart

• Familiarity with relevant safety standards (e.g., ISO 13849, ISO 3691‑4, IEC 61508, or ANSI/RIA R15.08).
• Prior experience working with robotics, autonomous vehicles, off‑road equipment, or heavy machinery.
• Experience deploying systems in demanding environments like construction, mining, or agriculture.
• Familiarity with software interfaces (ROS/ROS2, C++) to better understand the handoff between safety systems and the autonomy stack.
• Previous experience serving as a technical lead or mentoring junior engineers.

FieldAI Federal Team Eligibility

This position is for our FieldAI Federal Team. This team works on projects connected to the U.S. government which requires U.S. Person eligibility. A U.S. Person as defined by 22 C.F.R §120.62 includes U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, lawful permanent resident (green card holder), refugee or asylee.

Compensation

The salary range for this role is $70,000–$300,000. The actual offer will be based on relevant experience, competencies, certifications, and how well the candidate meets the qualifications outlined above. Part of the compensation package also includes full benefits, equity, and generous time off.

Field AI Onsite Work Philosophy

At Field AI, we believe the most effective way to collaborate and solve complex challenges is by working together in person. This is a fully onsite role, and candidates will be expected to work from our Mission Viejo, CA office. In‑person engagement is essential to our success, and we offer flexible working hours to support focus and work‑life balance.