Functional Safety Manager

Torc Robotics • Ann Arbor, MI

4d

About The Position

The Functional Safety Manager drives the execution framework for safe, scalable deployment of autonomous capabilities across platforms and operational domains. The role integrates safety, systems engineering, validation, and operational readiness activities for safety-critical systems, working across engineering, functional safety, systems engineering, autonomy, hardware, software, and operations. It provides structure, governance, and visibility to deliver safety-critical capabilities from concept through deployment, ensuring requirements traceability, verification and validation readiness, risk management, and alignment of safety objectives with program milestones.

Requirements

• Experience leading programs involving autonomous systems, ADAS, robotics, aerospace, industrial automation, or other safety-critical platforms.
• Demonstrated experience applying ISO 26262 across the safety lifecycle, including HARA, safety goals, functional and technical safety concepts, and ASIL decomposition.
• Familiarity with safety lifecycle artifacts, including Item Definitions, HARA, FMEA/FMEDA, Safety Requirements, Safety Plans, Safety Cases, and Verification & Validation strategies.
• Demonstrated ability to align engineering execution with safety assurance objectives while maintaining program delivery commitments.
• A bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Robotics, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field, plus competencies and technical proficiencies typically acquired through 6+ years of experience; or a master's degree in one of these fields plus 3+ years of experience; or a PhD in one of these fields plus 1+ years of experience.

Nice To Haves

• Working knowledge of ISO 21448 (SOTIF) and related standards such as IEC 61508, UL 4600, or ISO/PAS 8800.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and execution of safety-critical initiatives across the autonomous vehicle lifecycle, aligning product roadmaps, safety goals, and deployment milestones.
• Establish and maintain traceability between hazards, safety requirements, system requirements, verification activities, validation evidence, and release decisions.
• Coordinate cross-functional safety activities, including hazard analysis, safety assessments, safety case development, and operational readiness reviews.
• Drive integrated verification and validation planning across simulation, test environments, closed-course testing, and field operations to support evidence-based deployment decisions.
• Manage program risks, technical dependencies, and change impacts across systems, software, hardware, perception, localization, controls, and operational teams.
• Monitor safety and program metrics and proactively identify issues that could affect system performance, safety objectives, regulatory compliance, or delivery commitments.
• Facilitate executive reviews and technical governance forums, providing visibility into program health, residual risk, and safety readiness.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager