Staff System Safety Engineer

Forterra

5d • $170,000 - $205,000 • Remote

About The Position

Forterra is seeking a Staff System Safety Engineer to help develop safety-critical autonomous systems for ground-based applications, with a focus on defense. The role is part of the Core Systems and System Safety Engineering team, which architects systems supporting safety-critical functions, establishes development methodologies for new technologies, and applies hazard analysis techniques. The engineer will work with multidisciplinary and cross-functional teams to support uncrewed ground vehicle operations and autonomous capabilities.

The position contributes to the architectural design and delivery of prototypes and safety-critical autonomous solutions. It performs qualitative and quantitative hazard identification, evaluation, and control in accordance with the System Safety Program Plan, and helps define safety architecture, concepts, requirements, mechanisms, and verification activities. The engineer also provides technical leadership, guidance, training, and mentorship; leads System Safety Working Groups; and helps improve safety processes and methodologies for autonomous and robotic operations.

The position is remote, with up to 25–30% travel. The stated U.S. salary range is $170,000–$205,000. Forterra notes that salary depends on factors including experience, education, training, and expertise, and that equity is included in most full-time, high-demand roles. The role may require eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Systems, or related Engineering; Computer Science; or a related technical field.
• 10+ years of work experience as a System Safety Engineer or in a related role focused on autonomous or safety-critical systems.
• Experience with MIL-STD-882E or related functional safety standards, such as ARP 4754/4761, ISO 26262, UL 4600, IEC 61508, or IEC 62304.
• Experience with Probabilistic Risk Analysis (PRA) techniques.
• Knowledge of reviewing and applying supplier Safety Manuals.
• Familiarity with mathematical and engineering principles and methods used to design safety-critical systems.
• Experience with robotics, AI, and/or machine learning.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to communicate complex engineering issues to a diverse team.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree.
• Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP), UL 4600, ISO 21448, or ISO 26262 Functional Safety Certification.
• Experience with SysML v1 or v2 modeling and MBSE tools such as Cameo, Medini Analyze, or Capella.
• Experience with requirements management tools such as Jama, DOORS, or Polarion, and issue tracking with JIRA.
• Direct experience designing and developing autonomous vehicles or advanced ADAS applications.

Responsibilities

• Design safety into autonomous vehicle systems from the ground up, particularly defense applications following the MIL-STD-882E process.
• Address functional safety, AI and machine learning, embedded systems, and software development in complex system environments.
• Define safety architecture and concepts, and derive requirements from safety analyses.
• Perform hazard analyses, including PHA, FMEA, FMECA, FTA, Modes, States and Transitions Hazard Analysis, and Robotic Behavior/Capability Assessments.
• Communicate system safety design considerations and progress across the engineering organization.
• Incorporate hazard analyses into a Model-Based Safety environment.
• Develop and refine safety concepts, including architectural design, safety mechanisms, and verification activities.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop test cases for safety-critical hardware and software.
• Provide technical guidance, training, and mentorship on safety engineering principles and best practices.
• Stay informed about industry trends and advancements in defense safety.
• Participate in trade studies and testing activities to ensure safety requirements are met.
• Participate in Systems Engineering Technical Reviews, including SRR, PDR, and CDR.
• Lead System Safety Working Groups (SSWG).
• Lead implementation and application of safety-critical standards and ensure adherence to safety requirements throughout the hardware development lifecycle.
• Develop processes and methodologies to assure the safety of autonomous and robotic operations.
• Provide technical safety leadership on elements of significant scope.
• Implement continuous improvement initiatives to enhance organizational safety practices.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Premium healthcare benefits with three plan options, including an HSA-eligible plan; Forterra covers 80% of plan premiums for the employee and dependents.
• Basic Life/AD&D and short- and long-term disability insurance plans fully covered by Forterra, with an option to purchase additional life insurance for the employee and dependents.
• Company holiday calendar, including a winter break in December.
• 20 days of PTO accrued per year.
• At least seven weeks of fully paid parental leave for birth or adoption.
• $9,000 annual tuition reimbursement or professional development stipend.
• Stocked beverage refrigerators.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with traditional, Roth, and after-tax deferral options, plus company match up to 4%.
• Equity is included in most full-time, high-demand roles.

What This Job Offers

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