Mission Summary:
The Safety Engineer supports the management of our safety case and the execution of our safety management systems for our autonomous robotaxi organization. This role is responsible for the hands-on application of safety assurance, functional safety, and regulatory compliance to ensure our technology meets industry standards. The position collaborates with cross-functional engineering and operations teams to ensure "safety is our bedrock" values are integrated into every technical requirement.
What you’ll be doing:
- Execute safety case management tasks in alignment with internal development partners.
- Support internal and external audits by maintaining safety documentation for 3rd party reviews.
- Implement strategic programs and initiatives designed to improve and develop our safety culture.
- Provide technical data and analysis for safety governance through risk assessment committees and safety review boards.
Safety Case Management:
- Support the development, maintenance, and continuous improvement of the company-wide Safety Case, including hazard identification, risk assessments, mitigations, and safety assurance arguments
- Collaborate with engineering, product, operations, and validation teams to ensure safety evidence is complete, traceable, and aligned with regulatory frameworks (e.g., NHTSA, ISO 26262, ISO 21448/SOTIF, UL 4600)
- Lead cross-functional reviews of safety arguments and maintain governance structures for approval, change control, and release.
- Compile status reports on safety gaps and risks for review by the Senior Organizational Safety Manager.
Third-Party Auditing & Compliance:
- Prepare technical evidence and documentation for external safety audits and certification bodies.
- Participate in audit readiness programs to ensure consistent documentation and traceability across engineering teams.
- Execute corrective action plans from findings to drive systemic improvements.
- Stay current on evolving industry standards and regulatory expectations for AV safety.
Organizational Safety Culture Development:
- Assist in implementing a safety management system to strengthen proactive safety behaviors.
- Collect and monitor behavioral safety metrics to identify opportunities for improvement.
What we’re looking for:
- 5+ years relevant industry experience in technology development / safety critical systems, and 2+ years of experience in safety engineering for autonomous / robotics system in a leadership role
- Experience with safety-critical systems in automotive, aerospace, or autonomous vehicles
- Working knowledge of safety standards such as ISO 26262, ISO 21448 (SOTIF), or UL 4600
- Strong background in hazard analysis, system reliability, and safety case development.
- Experience or familiarity with AI/ML-based perception or decision-making systems.
- Familiarity with autonomous vehicle architectures, including perception, planning, and control.
- Ability to communicate technical safety arguments to a variety of stakeholders.
- Experience with machine learning safety challenges in autonomous vehicles.
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or a related field.
Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk, or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand and at times for long periods; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and move up to 50 pounds.
Working Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a team member encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the team member is regularly exposed to the office environment, outside weather conditions, road conditions, and pedestrian traffic. The team member is regularly exposed to mechanical and computer parts. The team member is occasionally exposed to fumes and airborne particles. The noise level in the environment is low to moderate. When traveling, the team member will be exposed to airports, airplanes, hotels and public transportation environments.
This role is based in our Pittsburgh office and requires in-office days each week.
The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors including but not limited to specific skills, experience and expertise, role location, certifications, licenses, and business needs. The estimated compensation range listed in this job posting reflects base salary only. This role may include additional forms of compensation such as a bonus or company equity. The recruiter assigned to this role can share more information about the specific compensation and benefit details associated with this role during the hiring process.
Candidates for certain positions are eligible to participate in Motional’s benefits program. Motional’s benefits include but are not limited to medical, dental, vision, 401k with a company match, health saving accounts, life insurance, pet insurance, and more.
Motional is a driverless technology company making autonomous vehicles a safe, reliable, and accessible reality. We’re driven by something more.
Our journey is always people first.
We aren't just developing driverless cars; we're creating safer roadways, more equitable transportation options, and making our communities better places to live, work, and connect. Our team is made up of engineers, researchers, innovators, dreamers and doers, who are creating a technology with the potential to transform the way we move.
Higher purpose, greater impact.
We’re creating first-of-its-kind technology that will transform transportation. To do so successfully, we must design for everyone in our cities and on our roads. We believe in building a great place to work through a progressive, global culture that is diverse, inclusive, and ensures people feel valued at every level of the organization. Diversity helps us to see the world differently; it’s not only good for our business, it’s the right thing to do.
Scale up, not starting up.
Our team is behind some of the industry's largest leaps forward, including the first fully-autonomous cross-country drive in the U.S, the launch of the world's first robotaxi pilot, and operation of the world's longest-standing public robotaxi fleet. We’re driven to scale; we’re moving towards commercialization of our technology, and we need team members who are ready to embrace change and challenges.
Formed as a joint venture between Hyundai Motor Group and Aptiv, Motional is fundamentally changing how people move through their lives. Headquartered in Boston, Motional has operations in the U.S and Asia. For more information, visit www.Motional.com and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.
Motional AD Inc. is an EOE. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. To comply with Federal Law, we participate in E-Verify. All newly-hired employees are queried through this electronic system established by the DHS and the SSA to verify their identity and employment eligibility.
Top Skills
What We Do
Our team is commercializing a world-class driverless system. The Motional team is behind some of the industry’s largest leaps forward in the last decade, including the first fully-autonomous cross-country drive in the U.S, the launch of the world’s first robotaxi pilot, and operation of the world’s most-established public robotaxi fleet. Strategically formed by Hyundai Motor Group, one of the world’s largest vehicle manufacturers offering smart mobility solutions, and Aptiv, a global technology leader in advanced safety, electrification, and vehicle connectivity, Motional is fundamentally changing how people move through their lives.
Why Work With Us
Our leadership team has been working in this industry for decades and includes renown early innovators in driverless technology. We are creating a future where transportation is safe, reliable, and accessible. Join our team in revolutionizing the industry that will change how the world moves.
Gallery
