Systems Safety Technical Lead

Ford Motor • Dearborn, MI

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

In this position, you will drive functional safety, safety of the intended functionality (SOTIF), and AI-enabled safety practices across Ford's next-generation vehicle platforms. As our company-wide focal point for ISO 26262, ISO 21448, and ISO PAS 8800, you'll architect safety processes, methods, and tool chains that enable safe, cyber-resilient, software-intensive vehicles. You will partner with cross-disciplinary teams (systems, hardware, software, ADAS/AD, cybersecurity, manufacturing) to embed "safety-by-design" into our products, mentor engineers, and represent Ford in industry standards bodies. We are seeking a seasoned Systems Safety Technical Lead (≥8 years’ experience) to drive functional safety, safety of the intended functionality (SOTIF), and emerging safety practices across our next-generation vehicle platforms. You will serve as the company-wide focal point for ISO 26262, ISO 21448, ISO PAS 8800 and other relevant standards. You will architect fit-for-purpose processes, methods, and tool chains that enable safe, cyber-resilient, software-intensive vehicle systems. Working with cross-disciplinary teams (systems, hardware, software, controls, ADAS/AD, cybersecurity, manufacturing) you will translate safety concepts into robust product and process direction, realizations, mentor engineers, and represent the company in industry standards bodies. The ideal candidate will bring experience and thirst to bring modern technologies (experience building software and using AI) to transform the way we drive safety into our vehicles that is more accurate, faster and takes less time.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or equivalent.
• 8+ years of progressive experience in automotive or related safety-critical domains.
• Deep, hands-on expertise with ISO 26262 (2nd edition) and ISO 21448; demonstrated track record of delivering safety-compliant products to production.
• Working familiarity with ISO PAS 8800 (safe AI/machine-learning-based functions).
• Strong analytical background in system architecture, control theory, embedded software, hardware design, and diagnostic strategies.
• Proven ability to craft safety cases, perform advanced safety analyses (HAZOP, HARA, FMEA, DFA, FTA, FMEDA, STPA, quantitative risk assessment), and oversee verification/validation planning.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder-management skills; comfortable briefing executives and mentoring cross-functional teams.
• Eligible to work in the target region and travel (~10-20 %).

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree or PhD with focus on safety-critical systems, autonomy, or reliability engineering.
• Functional Safety Certification
• Background in advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), automated driving (SAE Level 2–4), or electrified propulsion systems.
• Knowledge of ASPICE, ISO 9001, IATF 16949, and lean/agile development frameworks.
• Working familiarity with ISO 21434 (vehicle cybersecurity).
• Experience building software systems and mythologies
• Familiarity and interest in applying AI/ML to accelerate safety validation techniques, scenario-based simulation, and data analytics for field safety monitoring.
• Proficiency in Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and requirements management environments; able to define taxonomies, meta-models, and data integrations across hardware & software domains.
• Familiarity with Risk Analysis and Assessment Modeling Language (RAAML)
• Familiarity with SysML v2

Responsibilities

• Define and maintain the corporate safety lifecycle framework aligned with ISO 26262 (all parts) and ISO 21448, integrating ISO PAS 8800 guidance for ADAS/AD-enabled features and coordinating with ISO 21434 cybersecurity requirements.
• Champion a “safety-by-design” culture; influence product roadmaps, architecture selections, and trade studies to ensure safety goals are achieved with feasible, cost-effective solutions.
• Establish leading indicators, KPIs, and audit mechanisms to measure safety performance and compliance maturity.
• Architect and continuously improve end-to-end safety processes (HAZOP, item definition, HARA, concept & technical safety, verification/validation, confirmation reviews).
• Lead selection, customization, and deployment of model-based systems engineering (MBSE), safety analysis, and lifecycle tools.
• Develop templates, guidelines, and automation scripts that streamline safety work products and ensure consistent traceability from requirements to verification evidence.
• Coordinate cross-functional safety reviews, resolve technical disagreements, and escalate critical risks to executive leadership.
• Coach and develop a community of practice across systems, hardware, and software engineering groups; deliver internal training on ISO 26262, ISO 21448, and supporting standards.
• Guide junior safety engineers in applying HARA, STPA, FTA, DFA, FMEA, ASIL decomposition, dependent failure analyses, and SOTIF scenario-based testing.
• Represent the company in SAE, ISO, and other industry working groups; influence future standardization activities and bring back best practices.
• Support customer and supplier negotiations on safety allocations, technical safety agreements, and audit readiness.

Benefits

• Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
• Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up child care and more
• Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and more
• Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases
• Tuition assistance
• Established and active employee resource groups
• Paid time off for individual and team community service
• A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day
• Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.

What This Job Offers

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