Staff Systems Engineer

Agility Robotics•San Francisco, CA

9h•Hybrid

About The Position

As a Senior Staff Systems Engineer at Agility Robotics, you'll be the technical leader defining and delivering system-level architecture for our humanoid robot platform, with deep specialization in functional safety requirements integration. Working within a high-impact Systems Engineering team, you'll take ownership of complex safety-critical requirements, cross-functional interfaces, and system-level integration—bringing clarity and structure to incredibly complex safety-critical systems. This role is ideal for a hands-on technical leader with deep functional safety expertise who thrives in ambiguity, takes initiative without waiting for permission, and has a passion for building real safety-critical systems fast. You'll help shape how Systems Engineering and Functional Safety integration is applied in a fast-moving startup, balancing the rigor of safety standards with the agility and pragmatism needed to ship products.

Requirements

10+ years of Systems Engineering experience in safety-critical domains: robotics, aerospace, automotive, medical devices, or similar multidisciplinary hardware/software systems
5+ years deep functional safety experience with hands-on application of safety standards such as ISO 13849, IEC 61508, ISO 26262, IEC 62061, or similar
Demonstrated experience leading system-level safety integration, architecture, and safety requirement management efforts
Previous experience in high-growth, fast-paced environments where self-direction and bias for action are essential
Expert-level functional safety knowledge: Deep understanding of safety lifecycle processes, hazard analysis (HARA, HAZOP, FTA, FMEA), safety integrity levels, and safety architecture principles
Advanced requirements management expertise: Expert-level skills in authoring safety requirements, managing traceability, and defining cross-functional safety interfaces
Strong familiarity with the V-model approach to safety-critical systems engineering, including how to adapt it for rapid development environments
Safety standards mastery: Working knowledge of machinery safety standards (ISO 13849, IEC 62061), general functional safety (IEC 61508), and robotics-specific safety standards (ISO 10218, ANSI/RIA R15.08)
Experience with safety analysis tools (e.g., ANSYS medini analyze, PTC Windchill FTA, ItemIS) and requirements management tools (Jama, DOORS, Polarion)
Experience working closely with Test Engineering to drive system-level safety validation and verification strategies
Proven experience managing complex vendor relationships and engineering contracts, including the definition of SOWs and technical oversight of external development for hardware or software subsystems.

Nice To Haves

Experience with safety-critical robotics or autonomous systems strongly preferred

Responsibilities

Define system and subsystem architectures spanning mechanical, electrical, firmware, and software domains with embedded functional safety considerations
Drive system-level trade studies and architecture decisions balancing safety, performance, cost, and execution speed
Own the "How" of functional safety implementation: Translate Functional Safety team requirements into detailed, traceable system requirements in Jama
Bridge safety and systems engineering: Decompose higher-level safety goals across departments and integrate with performance/customer requirements
Serve as single source of truth: Provide unified requirements that balance safety, performance, and commercial objectives
Drive system-level verification of safety requirements through integration testing
Own system-level safety requirements: writing, decomposing, validating, and driving execution in partnership with Functional Safety team
Collaborate with Hardware, Software, Controls, and Test Engineering to ensure clean mapping to development and verification strategies
Facilitate cross-functional decisions when safety requirements conflict with performance, cost, or schedule constraints
Lead technical oversight of external suppliers, from drafting comprehensive SOWs to validating final deliverables against safety and performance standards.
Lead development and maintenance of Interface Control Documents (ICDs) for safety-critical interfaces
Actively participate in design reviews, safety assessments, and root cause investigations with functional safety expertise
Identify technical and safety risks, lead trade studies, and influence decisions from a systems-level viewpoint
Mentor team members on functional safety principles and requirements management

Benefits

401(k) Plan: Includes a 6% company match.
Equity: Company stock options.
Insurance Coverage: 100% company-paid medical, dental, vision, and short/long-term disability insurance for employees.
Benefit Start Date: Eligible for benefits on your first day of employment.
Well-Being Support: Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Exempt Employees: Flexible, unlimited PTO and 10 company holidays, including a winter shutdown.
Non-Exempt Employees: 10 vacation days, paid sick leave, and 10 company holidays, including a winter shutdown, annually.
On-Site Perks: Catered lunches four times a week and a variety of healthy snacks and refreshments at our Salem and Pittsburgh locations.
Parental Leave: Generous paid parental leave programs.
Work Environment: A culture that supports flexible work arrangements.
Growth Opportunities: Professional development and tuition reimbursement programs.
Relocation Assistance: Provided for eligible roles.