Sr. Functional Safety Engineer - Chassis Systems

About this role

ABOUT US Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies is a joint venture between two industry leaders with a clear vision for automotive’s next chapter. From operating systems to zonal controllers to cloud and connectivity solutions, we’re addressing the challenges of electric vehicles through technology that will set the standards for software-defined vehicles around the world. The road to the future is uncharted. By combining our expertise across connectivity, AI, security and more, we’ll map a new way forward. Working together, we’ll create a future that’s more connected, more intelligent, more sustainable for everyone. ROLE SUMMARY As a Senior Functional Safety Engineer within the Propulsion and Dynamics domain, you will play a critical role in ensuring the safety of chassis features, including advanced steering and braking systems. Applying the ISO 26262 standard across the entire product development lifecycle, you will shape the safety architecture of next-generation electric vehicle programs. You will collaborate closely with internal and external vehicle engineering, systems engineering, and component engineering teams to develop comprehensive safety concepts for complex chassis subsystems spanning sensors, actuators, and control units. A core part of this role involves conducting detailed technical deep dives into subsystem safety architectures and performing rigorous safety analyses, including Hazard Analysis and Risk Assessment (HARA), Fault Tree Analysis (FTA), Failire Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) and Dependent Failure Analysis (DFA), to identify and mitigate functional and architectural vulnerabilities. You will be directly responsible for reviewing safety analyses, validation test plans, and test matrices with a diverse set of internal and external stakeholders. Managing the functional safety lifecycle also means translating high-level safety goals into detailed Functional Safety Requirements (FSRs), driving the technical content of Technical and Software Safety Requirements (TSRs/SWSRs), and supporting engineering teams in their implementation. In addition, you will help define safety validation strategies, support fault insertion testing to qualify software releases, and establish the bi-directional traceability needed to generate final documentation for Start of Production (SOP) safety sign-off. RESPONSIBILITIES - Build functional safety concept for chassis features, providing ISO 26262 guidance during system and component definition. - Author and maintain Functional Safety Requirements (FSRs) and drive Technical and Software Safety Requirements (TSRs/SWSRs) within the requirements tool, ensuring bi-directional traceability and quality. - Perform system and software safety analyses including HARA, FTA, FMEA and DFA for chassis features and the subcomponents within - Support development of test case specifications and test result reviews for safety requirements, covering hardware-in-loop (HIL), fault insertion, and vehicle-level validation scenarios.. - Guide system, hardware, and software engineering teams and conduct reviews to ensure functional safety objectives are met. - Compile and deliver the safety case documentation and traceability evidence required for Start of Production (SOP) safety sign-off. QUALIFICATIONS - Degree education in Electrical/Electronic or Mechatronics (or similar) - Atleast 5 years of experience within the automotive industry (or equivalent) as system and/or safety engineer - Good interpersonal and communication skills with a high level of integrity - Experience working within a cross-functional team - Proven knowledge of ISO 26262 and experience applying within an OEM or Tier 1 - Experience with vehicle dynamics and chassis systems - braking and/or steering is preferred. Bonus: Experience leveraging AI-assisted tools and workflows to accelerate safety analysis activities while maintaining the rigor and review discipline required by ISO 26262. TOTAL REWARDS We build the exceptional — and we believe the people doing that work should be rewarded accordingly. In addition to a competitive base salary, full-time positions may be is eligible to participate in our annual company performance bonus program. Payments are discretionary and not guaranteed; actual amounts depend on company results and the terms of the plan in effect, and require active employment at the time of payout. This role is also eligible for equity in the form of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), subject to board approval and the terms of our equity incentive plans, including applicable vesting requirements. In addition to our compensation programs, we invest in our people with a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the health, wellbeing, and financial future for full-time employees — including health coverage, retirement savings, time off, and family planning programs. Offerings vary by country. Learn more about our global benefit programs https://rvtech.mybenefits.life/. External candidates can apply for this role through the Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies careers site (https://rivianvw.tech/#careers). If you are a current employee, please apply through our internal job board https://app.ashbyhq.com/internal/job-board/b10a9912-eb45-4a84-9a34-84b2a459923a. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information or characteristics, physical or mental disability, marital/domestic partner status, age, military/veteran status, medical condition, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are also committed to ensuring compliance with all applicable fair employment practice laws re