Operational Safety Specialist

DeWinter Group; Ann Arbor (MI); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

DeWinter Group seeks an Operational Safety Specialist to develop, implement, and audit safety standards for autonomous and advanced vehicle testing initiatives. This contract‑role requires collaboration across engineering teams, translating policies into SOPs, and delivering training to ensure regulatory compliance.

The ideal candidate will have 3–5 years in vehicle safety, hands‑on experience with safety audits, and strong stakeholder engagement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Safety Management, or related field.
• 3–5 years in vehicle safety, autonomous systems, or automotive testing.
• Experience auditing and CAPA processes.
• Ability to translate safety policies into actionable SOPs and training.
• Strong communication and cross‑functional collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Design, refine, and uphold comprehensive safety standards tailored to autonomous vehicle platforms.
• Collaborate with engineering and technical teams to translate safety policies into SOPs and deliver targeted training to ensure compliance.
• Lead audits and gap analyses, documenting findings, managing corrective actions, and fostering a culture of safety excellence.
• Assess operational hazards, conduct risk evaluations, and implement improvements based on lessons learned to mitigate potential issues proactively.
• Track multiple safety initiatives, establish enforcement timelines, and monitor adherence across departments.

Skills

SMS expertise

Risk analysis

Audits & CAPA

Safety policies

Stakeholder management

Automotive testing

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Lean Six Sigma

CAPA tooling

Job description

Operate at the forefront of vehicle safety and innovation as an Operational Safety Specialist, supporting cutting-edge autonomous and advanced vehicle systems. In this strategic contract role, you'll be integral to developing, implementing, and auditing safety standards that ensure seamless, compliant, and risk-aware operations across global testing and engineering initiatives. Join a collaborative team dedicated to shaping the future of mobility through meticulous safety management, cross-functional alignment, and continuous process improvement.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design, refine, and uphold comprehensive safety standards tailored to autonomous vehicle platforms.
• Collaborate with engineering and technical teams to translate safety policies into actionable SOPs and deliver targeted training to ensure compliance.
• Lead audits and gap analyses, documenting findings, managing corrective actions, and fostering a culture of safety excellence.
• Assess operational hazards, conduct risk evaluations, and implement improvements based on lessons learned to mitigate potential issues proactively.
• Track multiple safety initiatives, establish enforcement timelines, and monitor adherence across departments.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated expertise in operational safety standards, Safety Management Systems (SMS), risk analysis, and incident prevention within complex technical or automotive environments.
• Hands-on knowledge of vehicle testing, autonomous/advanced vehicle systems, and software development lifecycles.
• Proven experience in planning and executing safety audits, generating detailed reports, and closing corrective actions effectively.
• Ability to craft clear, actionable safety policies, SOPs, and operational documentation for technical audiences.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to build consensus across diverse teams.
• Flexibility to meet a mandatory 3-day on-site requirement at Palo Alto, CA or Ann Arbor, MI.

Nice to Have Skills:

• Familiarity with vehicle cybersecurity, legal compliance, or regulatory frameworks related to autonomous vehicles.
• Prior experience in international safety standards or working with global automotive safety teams.
• Knowledge of project management tools or process improvement methodologies such as Lean or Six Sigma.

Preferred Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Safety Management, or a related technical field; advanced degrees are a plus.
• Minimum of 3-5 years in vehicle safety, autonomous systems, or automotive testing environments, with proven success in audit and CAPA processes.

Other Requirements:

• This is a hybrid role with an active 3-day on-site presence required at the Palo Alto, CA or Ann Arbor, MI facility.
• Candidates must be fully aware and acknowledge the contingent worker/contractor status via DeWinter Technology, with no direct employment relationship with Woven by Toyota.

Candidates with a passion for safety, autonomous vehicle systems, and process excellence—ready to make a tangible impact on the future of mobility—are encouraged to bring their expertise to this dynamic environment.