Systems Safety Technical Lead

Ford • Dearborn, MI

3d • $132,800 - $250,800 • 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 the 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. This role requires 8+ years of automotive safety expertise to transform how safety is delivered, aiming for faster, more accurate, and more efficient processes. The ideal candidate will bring experience and a desire to leverage modern technologies, including software development and AI, to enhance vehicle safety.

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