Program Manager, AV Safety Policy & Programs

Lyft•San Francisco, CA

6h•$108,000 - $135,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Lyft is building the safety capability for autonomous mobility. The Program Manager, AV Safety Policy & Programs owns key parts of Lyft’s AV Safety Management System (SMS) across its four pillars: Safety Policy, Safety Risk Management, Safety Assurance, and Safety Promotion. The role ensures that the processes, documentation, and cross-functional operations supporting the SMS work in practice. This high-ownership position sits at the intersection of safety policy, program design, and cross-functional process support. The manager authors policy, runs risk and review cadences, turns safety data into decisions, and manages the Safety Review Board (SRB). The role works closely with AV partners and engages credibly on AV safety with technical counterparts, senior leaders, and external partners. It also drives AV safety programs with safety leaders and cross-functional partners from inception through go-live, including safety readiness for new market launches and partner integrations. The position follows a hybrid schedule, with employees expected to work in the office three days per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Hybrid employees may work from anywhere for up to four weeks per year. The expected base pay range in the San Francisco area is $108,000–$135,000, excluding potential equity, bonus, and benefits.

Requirements

At least 4 years supporting or managing safety management programs in a safety-critical transportation industry, such as autonomous vehicles, aviation, rail, automotive, trucking, or equivalent.
Working knowledge of Safety Management System (SMS) principles and their application to AV operations.
Hands-on experience with risk assessment, incident follow-up, and corrective action tracking.
Strong technical writing skills, including policy, procedures, and partner- or regulator-facing materials.
Comfort working with safety data, tracking indicators, spotting trends, and presenting findings to technical and senior audiences.
Demonstrated ability to run multi-stakeholder programs without direct authority.
Bachelor’s degree in safety, engineering, policy, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with AV safety frameworks, such as AVSC best practices, and US AV reporting requirements.
Experience supporting robotaxi, ridehail, or fleet operations.
Experience in a matrixed, partner-dependent environment where safety policy must be implemented through influence rather than direct control.
Exposure to multi-market or international safety operations.

Responsibilities

Own Lyft’s AV safety policy framework, safety procedures, and partner-facing governance documentation, including version control and periodic review cycles.
Maintain governance charters, committee operating rhythms, and escalation protocols.
Run hazard identification and risk assessment for AV operations and new launches.
Maintain the operational risk register and track mitigations through closure.
Track safety performance indicators and trends, and surface emerging risks.
Participate in incident and near-miss investigations and own corrective action (CAPA) tracking, ensuring findings inform policy, operations, and partner work plans.
Coordinate audit and certification evidence and remediation.
Drive safety communications, lessons-learned documentation, and training readiness.
Run the Safety Review Board cadence, including agendas, materials, decision records, and follow-through on action items.
Contribute to the standards and assessment frameworks used with AV partners, and support partners’ safety assurance and risk management activities.
Drive AV safety programs with safety leaders and cross-functional partners across EHS, Operations, Engineering, Legal, and other teams from inception through go-live.
Support safety readiness for new market launches and partner integrations.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance options, with additional programs available when enrolled.
Mental health benefits.
Family building benefits.
Child care and pet benefits.
401(k) plan with company match.
12 observed holidays.
Discretionary paid time off for salaried team members; 15 days of paid time off for hourly team members.
18 weeks of paid parental leave for biological, adoptive, and foster parents.
Subsidized commuter benefits.
Monthly Lyft credits and complimentary Lyft Pink membership.
Potential equity offering and bonus.