Lead Functional Safety Engineer – Field Robotics (Onsite)

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

Job summary

FieldAI is seeking a Lead Functional Safety Engineer to own safety for wheeled robotic platforms in federal and commercial programs. You will design supervised safety systems, configure PLCs, and ensure safe handoffs between operators and autonomy.

You will also deploy, test, and validate safety architectures in real-world environments, while guiding a growing safety engineering effort and mentoring junior engineers to scale the safety program.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
• Hands-on expertise configuring and debugging Safety PLCs.
• Experience selecting and integrating remote E‑Stops, safety relays, and lidars.
• Ability to work as a self-directed individual contributor and technical authority.
• Collaborates with electrical and software engineers for system handoffs.

Responsibilities

• Architect functional safety systems for COTS UGV platforms in demanding environments.
• Configure Safety PLCs, safety lidars, and related hardware components.
• Develop safe handoffs between human operators, safety systems, and the autonomy stack.
• Deploy and validate safety systems on real robots in field deployments.
• Lead safety initiatives and mentor future safety engineers.

Skills

Safety PLCs

Remote E-Stops

Hardware integration

Autonomy interfaces

Team leadership

Education

Electrical Engineering (BS/MS)

Tools

ROS/ROS2

PLC programming

Job description

FieldAI is seeking a Lead Functional Safety Engineer to own safety for wheeled robotic platforms in federal and commercial programs. You will design supervised safety systems, configure PLCs, and ensure safe handoffs between operators and autonomy.

You will also deploy, test, and validate safety architectures in real-world environments, while guiding a growing safety engineering effort and mentoring junior engineers to scale the safety program.