Entry Level Researcher – System Safety

General Motors

. Conduct research, development, governance, and continuous improvement of safety analyses and system safety cases for complex products and safety-critical systems .

Posted 10/12/2026full-timeWarren • Michigan • United StatesEntry LevelWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in system safety analysis, safety case development, and compliance with safety standards such as ISO 26262 and UL 4600. Proficient in synthesizing technical data and evidence to support safety assurance in complex, safety-critical systems.

Highest-signal resume keywords

System Safety AnalysisSafety Case DevelopmentISO 26262 ComplianceEvidence EvaluationAI/ML Safety Validation

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Systems EngineeringSafety AssuranceSafety Case DevelopmentFunctional SafetyEvidence ManagementImpact AnalysisRequirements DecompositionStatistical Safety ArgumentsProbabilistic Safety ArgumentsGoal Structuring Notation (GSN)

Soft Skills

Strong Written CommunicationStrong Verbal Communication

Industry Keywords

Safety-Critical SystemsAutomotiveAdvanced MobilityRegulatory ComplianceCertificationSafety-Assurance Research

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Cyber Security

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Conduct research, development, governance, and continuous improvement of safety analyses and system safety cases for complex products and safety-critical systems
Support system safety evaluation of newly developed R&D technologies by defining evaluation approaches, reviewing evidence, identifying gaps, and communicating recommendations
Author and present safety-case materials for product submissions, audits, internal reviews, external assessments, and executive or regulatory audiences
Integrate and assess evidence from systems engineering, AI/ML, functional safety, cybersecurity, validation, product safety, and related disciplines
Perform impact analyses when system scope, architecture, operating context, platform, or release changes affect safety claims, criteria, or evidence
Improve compliance, traceability, and evidence-tracking processes, including automation of safety-evidence collection across the engineering lifecycle
Surface safety gaps, evidence weaknesses, and emerging risks, driving escalation and resolution through appropriate forums
Align safety-case claims with UL 4600, ISO 26262, ISO 21448, AVSC guidance, and ISO/PAS 8800
Research emerging approaches in AI/ML safety validation, probabilistic safety arguments, evidence sufficiency, and structured safety-case development
Synthesize research findings into recommendations and provide thought leadership in system safety and safety assurance

Requirements

What you’ll need

Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in Engineering, Mathematics, Computer Science, Robotics, Safety Management, or a related technical field
Must be graduating between August 2026 and June 2027
Able to work full-time, 40 hours per week
Green Card Holder or U.S. Citizen
Must be a U.S. Person under export control restrictions (U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, asylee, or refugee)
Relevant experience in systems engineering, system safety, safety assurance, program leadership, or complex software-intensive safety-critical environments
Demonstrated experience developing, supporting, or assessing safety cases, assurance cases, or equivalent structured safety arguments
Knowledge of functional safety and safety assurance concepts, including ISO 26262, ISO 21448, ISO/PAS 8800, and UL 4600
Ability to decompose safety goals into requirements and evidence needs, synthesize ambiguous technical data, and evaluate evidence sufficiency
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Must not require GM immigration sponsorship now or in the future
Preferred: experience in automotive, advanced mobility, product safety, regulatory, certification, or safety-assurance research and practice
Preferred: understanding of AI/ML safety validation, statistical or probabilistic safety arguments, and evidence-sufficiency evaluation
Preferred: familiarity with Goal Structuring Notation (GSN) or similar frameworks
Preferred: experience with requirements management, traceability, and evidence management in safety-critical development lifecycles
Preferred: experience engaging with external assessors, regulators, standards bodies, research institutions, or industry consortia

Benefits

Comp & perks

Relocation benefits may be available; candidates should apply using the permanent address they would move from
Benefits supporting employee well-being at work and at home
Reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities