Sr Staff Functional Safety Engineer

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

Join a team of safety experts building next-generation Electric Vehicle technology. As a technical leader for hardware functional safety, you will define and own the safety concept for zonal ECUs, 48V power distribution, and infotainment platforms, balancing safety, performance, and cost. You will also mentor engineers and set the safety standards across the hardware organization.

What You’ll Do

Technical ownership

• Own functional safety design and execution for current and next-generation vehicle architectures.

• Define the hardware technical safety concept for complex zonal and network architectures based on mixed voltage domains including 48V.

• Drive HW safety requirements and safety mechanisms (diagnostics, redundancy, monitoring, safe states).

• Perform and review FMEDA, FTA, DFA, and PMHF/SPFM/LFM analyses to meet ASIL targets.

Cross-functional collaboration

• Partner with EE, Systems, Software, and Test teams to define architectural requirements for new HW platforms.

• Align with suppliers and semiconductor partners on safety manuals, assumptions of use, and DIA.

• Support safety case and assessment activities, including audits and independent reviews.

Verification and validation

• Establish test plans to verify and validate HW safety requirements, including fault injection.

• Collaborate on test infrastructure and automation to keep programs on schedule.

Leadership

• Mentor safety engineers, set review standards, and grow team capability.

• Mature safety work products and processes across ECU platforms and the HW organization.

• Influence stakeholders and resolve safety trade-offs at the program level.

What You’ll Bring

Required

• Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering or an equivalent engineering degree.

• 10+ years of functional safety experience in automotive, industrial, or aerospace (7+ with demonstrated technical leadership).

• Hands-on application of ISO 26262:2018 (Parts 5 and 11 especially) or IEC 61508 Parts 1, 2, and 3.

• Strong command of FMEDA, FTA, DFA, and PMHF, plus ASIL decomposition and freedom from interference.

• Deeper understanding of analog and digital circuit analysis skills, including high speed interfaces and network connectivity,.

• Proven record of working across HW, SW, mechanical, and manufacturing teams on multiple programs.

• Experience mentoring or leading engineers, formally or as a technical lead.

Preferred

• 48V systems experience (DC-DC converters, eFuses, battery isolation, power distribution).

• Zonal or centralized E/E architecture experience.

• Infotainment, display, or SoC safety experience.

• Familiarity with safety tools (e.g., Medini, Isograph Reliability Workbench, or equivalent FTA/FMEDA tools).

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 .

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 .

Equal Opportunity

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies is committed to ensuring that our hiring process is accessible for persons with disabilities. If you have a disability or limitation, such as those covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, that requires accommodations to assist you in the search and application process, please email us at candidateaccommodations@rivian.com.

Candidate Data Privacy

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies” may collect, use and disclose your personal information or personal data (within the meaning of the applicable data protection laws) when you apply for employment and/or participate in our recruitment processes (“Candidate Personal Data”). This data includes contact, demographic, communications, educational, professional, employment, social media/website, network/device, recruiting system usage/interaction, security and preference information. Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies may use your Candidate Personal Data for the purposes of (i) tracking interactions with our recruiting system; (ii) carrying out, analyzing and improving our application and recruitment process, including assessing you and your application and conducting employment, background and reference checks; (iii) establishing an employment relationship or entering into an employment contract with you; (iv) complying with our legal, regulatory and corporate governance obligations; (v) record keeping; (vi) ensuring network and information security and preventing fraud; and (vii) as otherwise required or permitted by applicable law.