Staff Functional Safety Engineer, Software

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies

. Perform functional safety analysis of internally designed application and/or platform software .

Posted 11/9/2026full-timeIrvine • California • United StatesLead💰 $171,100 - $226,740 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in functional safety analysis and software safety requirements within the automotive industry, with a strong focus on ISO 26262 compliance and safety-oriented software architecture development. Proficient in collaborating across cross-functional teams to deliver safety software across multiple programs.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Functional Safety AnalysisISO 26262 ComplianceSafety-Oriented Software ArchitectureEmbedded Systems DevelopmentCross-Functional Team Collaboration

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Functional Safety AnalysisSoftware Safety RequirementsFTASW-FMEAC ProgrammingModel-Based DesignTest DevelopmentASIL DecompositionMemory ProtectionSafety Measures

Soft Skills

Interpersonal SkillsCommunication SkillsTeam-Player OrientationIntegrityDeadline Management

Tools & Technologies

SimulinkRequirements Management ToolsIssue Tracking ToolsSoftware Version Control ToolsAgile Development Processes

Industry Keywords

Automotive IndustryAerospace IndustryEmbedded SystemsPropulsion SystemsDynamics SystemsBody SystemsInfotainment FunctionsHigh-Voltage Energy SystemsLow-Voltage Energy SystemsVehicle Power Moding

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Perform functional safety analysis of internally designed application and/or platform software
Contribute to creation of technical safety requirements
Derive software safety requirements for application and/or platform software
Support implementation of software safety requirements
Support or derive safety analysis using FTA and SW-FMEA
Lead safety-oriented software architecture development, including ASIL decomposition, freedom-from-interference analysis, and dependent failure analysis
Derive software safety measures such as plausibility checks and memory protection
Support HSI development between software and internally or externally developed hardware
Develop test procedures and support end-to-end testing of software safety requirements
Collaborate with vehicle functional safety, hardware functional safety, software development, testing, and system teams
Deliver safety software across multiple programs and variants

Requirements

What you’ll need

6+ years of experience developing safety software within the automotive or equivalent industries (e.g. aerospace)
Experience with ISO 26262, emphasizing Parts 4, 6, 8, and 9
Experience in system engineering practices including requirements authoring, architecture development, failure analysis, and test development
Familiarity with safety-focused automotive software development
Experience with embedded systems
Degree education in Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, or Computer Science, or equivalent experience
Experience with C programming and/or model-based design using Simulink is a plus
Experience with propulsion and dynamics systems is a plus
Experience with body systems is a plus
Understanding and/or curiosity about infotainment functions and Qualcomm or equivalent CPU architecture is a plus
Experience with suspension systems is a plus
Experience with high-voltage and low-voltage energy systems is a plus
Experience with vehicle power moding, hardware device drivers, and PMIC is a plus
Understanding and/or curiosity about requirements management, issue tracking, and software version control tools
Familiarity with agile software development processes
Good interpersonal and communication skills with a high level of integrity
Experience working within a cross-functional team
Proven experience working on multiple projects
Strong team-player orientation and ability to meet deadlines

Benefits

Comp & perks

Annual company performance bonus program; annual bonus target of 15%
Equity in the form of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Health coverage
Retirement savings
Time off
Family planning programs