Lead Functional Safety Engineer for Autonomous Robotics

FieldAI; Irvine (CA); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full benefits

Equity

Generous time off

Job summary

Field AI is seeking a Lead Functional Safety Engineer to design, deploy, and validate safety systems for autonomous wheeled robots used in demanding field environments. You will own the safety architecture, configure PLCs and safety hardware, and collaborate with software teams to ensure reliable handoffs between humans and the autonomy stack.

The role is fully onsite in Irvine, CA, requiring deep experience with Safety PLCs, ladder logic, and ROS/C++.

Qualifications

• Hands-on configuring, programming, and debugging Safety PLCs.
• Experience integrating hardware safety components (remote E-stops, safety relays, lidars).
• Proven ability to lead safety architecture and drive digital/physical handoffs.

Responsibilities

• Architect functional safety systems for UGV platforms in real environments.
• Configure safety hardware including PLCs and lidars; guide wiring and integration.
• Implement safe transitions between human operators and autonomy stack; ensure clear safety indicators.
• Deploy and validate safety systems on field robots; troubleshoot for reliability.

Skills

Safety PLCs configuration

Hardware integration

Ladder logic

Autonomy handoff interfaces

Education

BS or MS in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Computer Engineering, or related field

Tools

ROS/ROS2

C++

Safety PLCs

Job description

Field AI is seeking a Lead Functional Safety Engineer to design, deploy, and validate safety systems for autonomous wheeled robots used in demanding field environments. You will own the safety architecture, configure PLCs and safety hardware, and collaborate with software teams to ensure reliable handoffs between humans and the autonomy stack.

The role is fully onsite in Irvine, CA, requiring deep experience with Safety PLCs, ladder logic, and ROS/C++.