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Automotive Functional Safety Engineer Jobs in California

Staff Functional Safety Engineer

Carson, CA · On-site

$171.10 - $232.50/hr

Role Summary As a Hardware Functional Safety Engineer working in the Electric Power Conversion ... the automotive or equivalent industries (e.g. aerospace) or IEC 61508 Part 1, 2 & 3

Staff Functional Safety Engineer

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$171.10 - $232.50/hr

Role Summary As a Hardware Functional Safety Engineer working in the Electric Power Conversion ... the automotive or equivalent industries (e.g. aerospace) or IEC 61508 Part 1, 2 & 3

Role Summary As a Hardware Functional Safety Engineer working in the Electric Power Conversion ... automotive or equivalent industries (e.g. aerospace) or IEC 61508 Part 1, 2 & 3 * Strong ...

Work with brilliant minds on technology transforming automotive industry and make a lasting impact ... Strong fundamentals in mathematics, engineering and physics; * Experience with functional safety ...

Role Summary As a Software Functional Safety Engineer, you will be responsible for performing ... Additional experience working on Texas Instruments, Infineon automotive safety processors is a plus

Additional experience working on Texas Instruments, Infineon automotive safety processors is a plus ... functional safety engineering background in ISO 26262 parts 4, 5, 8 with an emphasis in 6 * ...

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Showing results 1-20

Automotive Functional Safety Engineer information

See California salary details

$47.9K

$103.3K

$162.3K

How much do automotive functional safety engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for automotive functional safety engineer in California is $103,252.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $70,600.00 and $133,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an automotive functional safety engineer do?

An Automotive Functional Safety Engineer ensures that electronic and software-based vehicle systems comply with ISO 26262, the industry standard for functional safety. They analyze potential hazards, define safety requirements, and work with design teams to implement fail-safe mechanisms. Their role includes performing safety assessments, conducting verification and validation tests, and supporting the development of safety cases. Collaboration with cross-functional teams is essential to mitigate risks and enhance vehicle reliability.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an automotive functional safety engineer?

To thrive as an Automotive Functional Safety Engineer, you need a strong background in electrical engineering or a related field, experience with safety standards like ISO 26262, and knowledge of vehicle systems. Familiarity with safety analysis tools such as FMEA, FTA, and specialized software like Medini Analyze or IBM Rational DOORS is typically required, and certification in functional safety (e.g., TÜV) is highly valued. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, clear communication, and the ability to work collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams are crucial soft skills. These competencies ensure the development and validation of safe automotive systems, helping companies meet regulatory requirements and maintain consumer trust.

How much does an automotive functional safety engineer make in the US?

An automotive functional safety engineer in the US typically earns between $80,000 and $130,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and certifications such as ISO 26262. Senior engineers or those with specialized skills can earn higher salaries, often exceeding $150,000.

What are the most commonly searched types of Automotive Functional Safety Engineer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Automotive Functional Safety Engineer jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Automotive Functional Safety Engineer jobs in California?

For Automotive Functional Safety Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Automotive Functional Safety Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Automotive Functional Safety Engineer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Automotive Functional Safety Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Automotive Functional Safety Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Automotive Functional Safety Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $103,252 per year, or $49.6 per hour.

Staff Functional Safety Engineer

Rivian

Carson, CA • On-site

$171.10 - $232.50/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 10 days ago


Rivian rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 160 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

20th of 45 rated automakers


Job description

About Rivian

Rivianis on a mission to keep the world adventurous forever. This goes for the emissions-free Electric Adventure Vehicles we build, and the curious, courageous souls we seek to attract.

As a company, we constantly challenge what’s possible, never simply accepting what has always been done. We reframe old problems, seek new solutions and operate comfortably in areas that are unknown. Our backgrounds are diverse, but our team shares a love of the outdoors and a desire to protect it for future generations.

Role Summary

As a Hardware Functional Safety Engineer working in the Electric Power Conversion group, you will be responsible for performing functional safety development of internally designed power electronics components. This role demands both deep technical expertise and the organizational influence to align cross‑functional teams, drive supplier strategy, and shape engineering standards across the broader Power Electronics organization. This position reports directly to the Sr. Manager of Functional Safety within our Power Electronics organization.

Responsibilities
  • Develop Hardware FTA, FMEA &FMEDA’s, DFA for electrical hardware design
  • Serve as the Safety expert in safety‑critical cross‑functional design decisions
  • Support the reliability organization in deriving mission profiles and FIT rates for hardware components using IEC or Siemens standards
  • Develop hardware safety concepts, hardware safety architecture, hardware safety requirements to lead/drive and provide electrical hardware design recommendations across electronics subsystems, ASICs, SoCs, PMICs and microcontrollers
  • Support application‑specific software safety analysis (FTA, FMEA) and software safety requirements and architecture development
  • Collaborate with Reliability organization in defining mission profiles based on vehicle use cases
  • Develop upstream and downstream traceability between hardware safety, technical safety requirements, relevant test cases, and work products in traceability tool
  • Develop Design Verification Plan (DVP) for relevant hardware safety and system safety requirements including fault injections
  • Support the electrical hardware and power electronics software/controls test teams in executing test cases with troubleshooting
  • Support vehicle functional safety team in development of technical safety requirements and hazard analysis risk assessment
  • Documenting all relevant safety requirements, analysis, architecture implementation, verification and validation events for each sub‑system
  • Authoring and reviewing high‑level safety documentation
  • Driving functional safety design processes across the organization and being part of the safety culture within the organization
Qualifications
  • BS, MS, or PhD in Electrical/Electronic Engineering
  • Embedded systems design experience
  • 5+ Years of experience in developing electrical safety hardware, systems safety, and functional safety engineering background in ISO 26262 Part 4, 5, 8 within the automotive or equivalent industries (e.g. aerospace) or IEC 61508 Part 1, 2 & 3
  • Strong understanding of failure mode analysis of complex electrical designs, ASICs, preferably in power electronics applications
  • Handling advanced electronics design and analyzing advanced electrical circuits
  • Extensive knowledge and application of Safety Analysis methodologies using industry‑standard tools, from functional system level to HW and SW component level: FTA, FMEA, FMEDA, DFA, STPA, SPFM/LFM, and PMHF
  • Detailed experience analysing electrical circuits, preferably in power electronics applications
  • Prior experience performing hardware FTAs, FMEDAs, DFAs at the component level
  • Ability to understand and create traceability in JAMA or similar requirements management tool
  • Working within cross‑functional teams – systems hardware, software, mechanical, manufacturing, and a proven record of working on multiple projects involving safety engineering
  • Ability to work with resilience, zooming out and out‑of‑the‑box thinking
  • Strong team player with a drive to exceed expectations and meet deadlines
  • Tool expertise with Medini, Flow, or similar strongly preferred
  • Experience with LTSpice or similar simulation tool; prior experience of simulating circuits strongly preferred; ISO 26262 Certified strongly preferred
Pay Disclosure

The salary range for this role is USD 171,100‑213,900 for Southern California based applicants, and USD 186,000‑232,500 for Northern California based applicants. This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors, including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, shift, and organizational needs.

The successful candidate may be eligible for annual performance bonus and equity awards.

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits for full‑time and part‑time employees, their spouse or domestic partner, and children up to age 26, including but not limited to paid vacation, paid sick leave, and a competitive portfolio of insurance benefits including life, medical, dental, vision, short‑term disability insurance, and long‑term disability insurance to eligible employees. You may also have the opportunity to participate in Rivian’s 401(k) Plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program if you meet certain eligibility requirements. Full‑time employee coverage is effective on their first day of employment. Part‑time employee coverage is effective the first of the month following 90 days of employment. More information about benefits is available at rivianbenefits.com.

You can apply for this role through careers.rivian.com (or through internal-careers-rivian.icims.com if you are a current employee). This job is not expected to be closed any sooner than July 21st, 2026.

Equal Opportunity

Rivian is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information or characteristics, physical or mental disability, marital/domestic partner status, age, military/veteran status, medical condition or any other characteristic protected by law.

Rivian is committed to ensuring that our hiring process is accessible for persons with disabilities. If you have a disability or limitation, such as those covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, that requires accommodations to assist you in the search and application process, please email us at candidateaccommodations@rivian.com.

Candidate Data Privacy

Rivian may collect, use and disclose your personal information or personal data (within the meaning of the applicable data protection laws) when you apply for employment and/or participate in our recruitment processes (“Candidate Personal Data”). This data includes contact, demographic, communications, educational, professional, employment, social media/website, network/device, recruiting system usage/interaction, security and preference information. Rivian may use your Candidate Personal Data for the purposes of (i) tracking interactions with our recruiting system; (ii) carrying out, analyzing and improving our application and recruitment process, including assessing you and your application and conducting employment, background and reference checks; (iii) establishing an employment relationship or entering into an employment contract with you; (iv) complying with our legal, regulatory and corporate governance obligations; (v) record‑keeping; (vi) ensuring network and information security and preventing fraud; and (vii) as otherwise required or permitted by applicable law.

Rivian may share your Candidate Personal Data with (i) internal personnel who have a need to know such information in order to perform their duties, including individuals on our People Team, Finance, Legal, and the team(s) with the position(s) for which you are applying; (ii) Rivian affiliates; and (iii) Rivian’s service providers, including providers of background checks, staffing services, and cloud services.

Rivian may transfer or store internationally your Candidate Personal Data, including to or in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the European Union and in the cloud, and this data may be subject to the laws and accessible to the courts, law enforcement and national security authorities of such jurisdictions.

Please note that we are currently not accepting applications from third party application services.

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About Rivian

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Rivian is a pioneering automotive industry player headquartered in Irvine, California. Established in 2009, the company has made notable advancements in developing sustainable transportation solutions. It is widely recognized for its electric adventure vehicles: the R1T pickup and the R1S SUV. Rivian is dedicated to creating a positive shift in societal mobility and emphasizes sustainability, innovation, and adventure as part of its core values. Their mission is to keep the world adventurous forever - a testament to their commitment in transitioning the world to sustainable transportation. Rivian's achievements are numerous, with one of the most notable being securing a significant multi-billion dollar investment from Amazon for the production of electric delivery vans.

Industry

Automobile dealers

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Irvine, CA, US

Year founded

2009