Embedded Software Engineer - Safety

AIM•Seattle, WA

About The Position

AIM is seeking an experienced embedded safety engineer to help define functional safety across its autonomous heavy equipment platforms. The role develops safety strategy for machinery operating in complex, unpredictable environments, where hardware and software decisions have direct physical consequences. The engineer will assess established standards such as ISO 26262 and IEC 61508, identify gaps in current processes, and establish practical safety requirements, objectives, acceptance criteria, and verification expectations. Working with Firmware, Electrical, Robotics, and Systems Engineering, the engineer will translate system hazards into hardware and software requirements, assess risks and failure modes, review architectures, and design and validate safety mechanisms. The role also establishes verification and validation strategies, hazard-to-evidence traceability, and safety-case practices; supports applicable safety assessments and certification-related activities; investigates defects and incidents; and evaluates release readiness, escalating or blocking deployments when critical safety requirements are unmet. The engineer will help scale safety processes, improve engineering and verification practices, mentor colleagues, and promote integrating safety into product development from the outset. The position is intended for a technically experienced engineer who has helped release safety-critical products involving both hardware and software, applies functional safety standards in practical engineering decisions, and can exercise independent judgment across disciplines. AIM offers ownership of safety strategy for next-generation autonomous machinery, cross-functional collaboration, competitive compensation, equity, benefits, and travel to jobsites.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Robotics, Systems Engineering, or equivalent practical experience.
At least 5 years of professional experience in embedded systems, functional safety, or safety-critical product development, including demonstrated senior-level technical ownership.
Direct experience contributing to development and release of a safety-critical product involving both hardware and software.
Hands-on experience applying functional safety standards such as ISO 26262, IEC 61508, or comparable industry standards.
Experience performing hazard analysis, risk assessments, and failure mode analysis.
Experience defining safety requirements and developing verification strategies for safety-critical systems.
Strong understanding of embedded hardware and software interactions.
Demonstrated ability to make independent engineering decisions and work across multidisciplinary teams.

Nice To Haves

Experience developing safety-critical systems for autonomous vehicles, robotics, aerospace, or heavy equipment.
Experience establishing safety processes or strategies for new products or emerging technologies.
Familiarity with safety cases, certification processes, and safety evidence management.
Experience with safety mechanisms involving sensors, actuators, controllers, or machine interfaces.
Experience working in environments with evolving requirements and limited established standards.
Experience supporting safety-critical products through field deployment and operation.

Responsibilities

Define and help drive AIM's functional safety strategy for autonomous heavy equipment platforms.
Evaluate applicable standards, including ISO 26262 and IEC 61508, and determine how they should inform AIM's safety approach.
Identify gaps in safety processes and establish practical engineering requirements, objectives, acceptance criteria, and verification expectations.
Collaborate with Firmware, Electrical, Robotics, and Systems Engineering to develop safety requirements and mechanisms.
Conduct hazard analyses, risk assessments, and failure mode evaluations.
Translate safety requirements into hardware and software design constraints and review system architectures for safety risks.
Define verification and validation requirements and develop or guide test strategies for safety-critical functionality.
Establish traceability between hazards, safety requirements, implementation, and verification evidence.
Support safety assessments and certification-related activities where applicable.
Participate in design reviews and evaluate safety implications of technical decisions.
Investigate safety-related defects, incidents, and unexpected system behavior; identify root causes and corrective actions with engineering teams.
Evaluate release readiness and escalate or block deployments when critical safety requirements are not satisfied.
Establish scalable safety engineering processes and improve safety documentation, verification practices, and engineering reviews.
Mentor engineers on functional safety and practical risk mitigation, and promote safety considerations in engineering decisions.