Senior System Safety Engineer - Braking Systems

General Motors•Warren, MI

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

At General Motors, our product teams are redefining mobility. Through a human-centered design process, we create vehicles and experiences that are designed not just to be seen, but to be felt. We're turning today's impossible into tomorrow's standard – from breakthrough hardware and battery systems to intuitive design, intelligent software, and next-generation chassis features. Every day, our products move millions of people as we aim to make driving safer, smarter, and more connected, shaping the future of transportation on a global scale. As a Senior System Safety Engineer for Braking Systems, you will support the safety of GM's braking systems from concept through validation. You will work on safety-critical, increasingly distributed brake architectures that must meet functional safety requirements across all operating, environmental, and real-world customer usage conditions. You will serve as a technical authority for system safety, translating complex hazards into clear, actionable safety requirements aligned with ISO 26262 and internal GM safety policies. You will partner closely with cross‑functional engineering teams to embed safety into system architecture, hardware, software, and validation strategies, helping ensure GM’s SDV platforms deliver safe, robust, and reliable performance at scale.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Aerospace/Aeronautical Engineering, or a related field
5+ years of relevant post-graduate industry experience in the development of braking systems, chassis controls, or safety-critical electromechanical/electrohydraulic systems and components or PhD in Engineering or Physics with relevant research experience
Strong understanding of system verification and validation processes, including requirements traceability and test strategy development
Familiarity with hardware design principles, software interfaces, and failure modes at both the component and system levels
Solid foundation in braking domain features and vehicle dynamics – including base braking, ABS, electronic stability control (ESC), and electric park brake (EPB)
Ability to work independently with minimal guidance, exercise discretion and judgment on significant matters, and drive cross-team and cross-group efforts to resolution
Knowledge of serial data communication protocols (e.g., CAN, automotive Ethernet) and their application in embedded and distributed control systems
Willingness to travel between Warren Technical Center and Milford Proving Ground as required

Nice To Haves

Experience developing safety concepts and requirements braking systems
Hands-on experience authoring functional safety work products such as System Safety Concepts, Safety Case Tailoring Plans, FTA, FMEA, FIA/SEFA, and DIAs
Working knowledge of functional safety and adjacent standards such as ISO 26262, SOTIF (ISO 21448), and relevant braking regulations (e.g., FMVSS 135, FMVSS 127, ECE R13-H)
Experience defining or assessing hazard metrics, functional reliability targets, and quantitative hardware integrity (FIT) targets for safety-critical systems
Experience with brake controls or other safety critical automotive software development
Experience contributing to production-ready safety cases, peer review boards, and cross-functional safety reviews
Familiarity with model-based and tool-based safety analysis (e.g., system analysis tools generating remedial-action requirements) and requirements management tools (DNG, JIRA, ARXML-based interface definitions)

Responsibilities

Perform hazard analysis and risk assessments for brake systems, and define safety concepts, operating modes, and mitigation strategies
Apply functional safety analysis techniques – including functional interface analysis, fault tree analysis, dependent failure analysis, software safety analysis, and hardware integrity analysis – to derive and allocate safety requirements
Collaborate with hardware, software, service, release, manufacturing, and advanced engineering teams to ensure safety requirements are understood, feasible, and properly implemented
Provide expert system safety guidance to product engineering teams to support timely resolution of development, validation, and launch-related safety issues
Communicate expectations and review safety deliverables with braking suppliers ensuring supplier development processes and evidence are consistent with ISO 26262 and GM's system safety process
Lead informal and formal peer reviews of safety work products, submit peer review ballots, and represent braking systems at Safety Peer Review Boards and program safety gates (e.g., DVUL approval milestones)
Analyze complex field issues, assess risk and severity, and support containment and resolution strategies for safety-related concerns
Communicate system safety processes, expectations, and best practices across the organization to promote consistent execution
Utilize change management and configuration management tools to maintain traceability and integrity of safety requirements across the product lifecycle
Promote common implementation strategies, architectural consistency, and complexity reduction without compromising safety or compliance
Serve as a mentor and resource to junior safety engineers, providing coaching and guidance on difficult technical issues