Program Manager, AV Safety Policy & Programs

Lyft • New York, NY

2h • $108,000 - $135,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

At Lyft, the purpose is to serve and connect by cultivating a work environment where team members belong and have the opportunity to thrive. 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 Safety Policy, Safety Risk Management, Safety Assurance, and Safety Promotion, and ensures the supporting processes, documentation, and cross-functional coordination work in practice.

This high-ownership role combines safety policy, program design, and cross-functional process support. The role authors policy, runs risk and review cadences, turns safety data into decisions, and maintains the Safety Review Board (SRB). It works closely with AV partners and communicates about AV safety with technical counterparts, senior leaders, and external partners.

The position drives AV safety programs from inception through go-live with safety leaders and partners across EHS, Operations, Engineering, Legal, and other functions. This includes safety readiness for new market launches and partner integrations.

The role is hybrid in the New York City area, with three in-office days per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Hybrid roles may work from anywhere for up to four weeks per year. The expected base pay range in the New York City area is $108,000–$135,000, excluding potential equity, bonus, or benefits.

Requirements

• At least 4 years supporting or managing safety management programs in a safety-critical transportation industry such as AV, 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.
• Proven 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 is 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 to closure.
• Track safety performance indicators and trends, and surface emerging risks.
• Participate in incident and near-miss investigations and own corrective action (CAPA) tracking so findings inform policy, operations, and partner work plans.
• Coordinate evidence and remediation for audits and certifications.
• 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 from inception through go-live, including 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.
• Twelve observed holidays; salaried team members receive discretionary paid time off, and hourly team members receive 15 days of paid time off.
• Eighteen weeks of paid parental leave for biological, adoptive, and foster parents.
• Subsidized commuter benefits.
• Monthly Lyft credits and complimentary Lyft Pink membership.

What This Job Offers

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