Senior SOTIF Engineer

Torc Robotics; Virginia (MN); On-site; USD 177,000 - 213,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus + equity

Medical, dental, vision premiums paid

401K match

Flexible schedule and vacation

Job summary

Torc Robotics is seeking a Senior SOTIF Engineer to lead safety assessments for autonomous trucking platforms. You will collaborate with AI/ML, systems engineering, and software teams to ensure SOTIF acceptance criteria are met and safety frameworks remain robust across operations.

The role emphasizes applying ISO 26262, ISO 21448, and AI safety principles to drive risk analyses, design improvements, and verification strategies in a fast-paced, safety-critical environment.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in CS/Engineering with 3+ years relevant experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in CS/Engineering with 6+ years relevant experience.
• Deep knowledge of SOTIF, AI Safety, and Functional Safety (ISO 26262, ISO 21448, ISO-PAS 8800).
• Strong project management and cross‑functional leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate and enhance safety and reliability of autonomous trucking systems.
• Lead SOTIF evaluations and guide engineers to meet acceptance criteria.
• Collaborate with AI/ML and SW Dev teams to ensure safety of Torc solutions.
• Identify functional insufficiencies and propose safety improvements.
• Develop verification and validation targets for known and unknown safety scenarios.
• Communicate SOTIF achievements and risk assessments to stakeholders.

Skills

SOTIF & ISO 26262

Safety engineering

AI safety

Leadership

Analytical thinking

Education

Master’s degree in CS/Engineering

Bachelor’s degree in CS/Engineering

Tools

Jama

CAMEO

JIRA

MATLAB/Simulink

Python

C/C++

Job description

About the Company

At Torc, we have always believed that autonomous vehicle technology will transform how we travel, move freight, and do business. A leader in autonomous driving since 2007, Torc has spent over a decade commercializing our solutions with experienced partners. Now a part of the Daimler family, we are focused solely on developing software for automated trucks to transform how the world moves freight. Join us and catapult your career with the company that helped pioneer autonomous technology, and the first AV software company with the vision to partner directly with a truck manufacturer.

Meet the Team:

Join our SW Systems and Safety - Behaviors & Autonomy Team, where we work at the forefront of autonomous trucking and L4 systems. Our team collaborates across safety, systems engineering, product, V&V, mapping, AI-ML, and SW teams to ensure that safety frameworks are met (e.g. FuSa, SOTIF, AI-Safety, etc.), reducing functional and behavioral insufficiencies and ensuring a robust autonomous vehicle platform. We are seeking a Senior SOTIF Engineer with a strong knowledge of Functional Safety (ISO 26262), SOTIF (ISO 21448), AI Safety (ISO-PAS 8800), AV Safety Case (UL 4600). etc., and passionate about safety-critical SW systems, risk assessment, and verification & validation strategies. In this role, you will lead safety critical initiatives and safety assessments, risk analyses, and safety improvements with close collaboration with our AI-ML and SW development teams, helping shape the future of autonomous trucking technology.

What You'll Be Doing:

As a Senior SOTIF Engineer, you will play a key role in evaluating and enhancing the safety and reliability of autonomous trucking systems. You will work with functional safety engineers, system engineers, design teams, AI-ML engineers, and SW Devs to ensure that SOTIF acceptance criteria are met and that autonomous systems operate safely and effectively under all conditions.

• Work closely with functional safety and system engineers to ensure SOTIF targets are achieved in autonomous vehicle development.
• Lead SOTIF evaluations and guide engineers to meet SOTIF acceptance criteria
• Interact with AI-ML engineers and SW Developers to ensure the safety of Torc solutions
• Identify functional insufficiencies and triggering conditions, providing risk assessment (HIRE analysis) and safety improvements.
• Define areas for design improvement and collaborate with design teams to refine system specifications.
• Evaluate the completeness of design specifications to ensure they meet SOTIF maturity standards.
• Derive acceptance criteria for S>0, C>0 analysis and lead discussions on necessary functional modifications.
• Develop verification and validation targets for known and unknown safety scenarios.
• Support SOTIF-related operational strategies, ensuring the safe deployment of autonomous vehicles.
• Communicate SOTIF achievement metrics and risk assessments to management and key stakeholders.
• Collaborate with systems design and architecture teams to ensure SOTIF considerations are integrated into autonomous trucking specifications.

What You’ll Need to Succeed:

• Demonstrates competences and technical proficiencies typically acquired through:
  • Master’s Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, or equivalent with 3+ years relevant experience.
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, or equivalent with 6+ years relevant experience.
• Strong knowledge of automotive, heavy‑duty truck, or aerospace products and industries.
• Expertise in ISO 21448 (SOTIF), ISO‑PAS 8800 (Safety and AI), ISO 26262 (Functional Safety) with a proven track record of applying these standards in complex engineering environments.
• Excellent project management and leadership skills, with the ability to drive safety initiatives across cross‑functional teams.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to assess risks, derive safety requirements, and define verification & validation strategies.
• Highly organized and capable of handling multiple projects in a fast‑paced, evolving environment.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across engineering teams and leadership.
• Detail‑oriented, self‑motivated, and able to work independently while also leading discussions and influencing stakeholders.
• Comfortable working in an environment of ambiguity and rapid change, with the ability to quickly adapt and make informed safety decisions.
• Ability to ethically handle sensitive and confidential information with impartiality and professionalism.

BonusPoints!

• Understanding / knowledge of AI-ML techniques
• Experience is SW development and knowledge of C++, Python, MATLAB/Simulink
• Working knowledge of Jama, CAMEO, and JIRA
• Experience in SAFe AGILE environments

Perks of Being a Full-timeTorc’r

Torc cares about our teammembersand we strive to provide benefits and resources to support their health, work/life balance, and future. Our culture is collaborative, energetic, and team focused. Torc offers:

• A competitive compensation package that includes a bonuscomponentand stock options
• 100% paid medical, dental, and vision premiums for full‑time employees
• 401K plan with a 6% employer match
• Flexibility in schedule and generous paid vacation (availableimmediatelyafterstartdate)
• AD&D and Life Insurance

At Torc, we’re committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We celebrate the uniqueness of our Torc’rs and do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, veteran status, or disabilities. Even if you don’t meet 100% of the qualifications listed for this opportunity, we encourage you to apply.

Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several geographic markets. Pay is based on a number of factors and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Torc's total compensation package will also include our corporate bonus and stock option plan. Dependent on the position offered, sign‑on payments, relocation, and other forms of compensation may be provided as part of a total compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits.

Job ID: 102789

Hiring Range for Job Opening

US Pay Range

• $177,300—$212,800 USD