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Freelance Automotive Functional Safety Engineer Jobs

Rivian

Staff Functional Safety Engineer

Carson, CA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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 * ...

Ford Motor Company

Functional Safety Engineer

Dearborn, MI · On-site +1

$77K - $192K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Life

  • PTO

... Automotive Systems Engineering or related field and 2 years of experience in the job offered or ... Develop and refine functional safety work products for safety design, implementation, and ...

VOLT

Functional Safety Engineer - Liberty, NC

Liberty, NC · On-site

$65 - $75/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

Volt is immediately hiring for Functional Safety Engineer in Liberty, NC. Work with a Global Company Weekly Pay High Pay / Competitive Pay Market Leader As a Functional Safety Engineer, you will:

Ford Motor Company

Staff Functional Safety Engineer

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$146K - $276K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • PTO

Minimum of 4+ years of functional safety engineering experience in safety-critical systems within the automotive, aerospace, or industrial sectors. Deep expertise in the application and assessment of ...

Latitude AI

Staff Systems Engineer - Safety

Pittsburgh, PA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Knowledge of automotive functional safety standards (ISO-26262 or similar) * Experience in safety ... Strong systems engineering fundamentals * Previous demonstrated experience delivering products ...

Calance US

Functional Safety Project Engineer

Liberty, NC

$88/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

We are hiring Functional Safety Project Engineer for a Contract position in Liberty, NC CALL US NOW for immediate consideration! Click Apply on Web or Apply Now to view our recruiter s contact info ...

Kodiak

Functional Safety Engineer, Hardware

Mountain View, CA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

We are looking for a Functional Safety Hardware Engineer to join us and drive the development and management of our autonomous vehicle safety cases as we bring the Kodiak Autonomy System to market.

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Freelance Automotive Functional Safety Engineer information

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How much do freelance automotive functional safety engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance automotive functional safety engineer in the United States is $47.71, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.28 and $61.78 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Freelance Automotive Functional Safety Engineer vs Automotive Safety Engineer?

AspectFreelance Automotive Functional Safety EngineerAutomotive Safety Engineer
CredentialsRelevant certifications (e.g., ISO 26262), technical expertiseSimilar certifications, often employed full-time
Work EnvironmentIndependent, project-based, remote or on-siteCompany offices, R&D departments, or manufacturing plants
Employer & Industry UsageFreelance/contract basis across multiple clientsAutomotive manufacturers or suppliers as full-time employees
Search & Comparison IntentSeeking flexible, project-based safety expertiseLooking for in-house safety engineering roles

While both roles focus on automotive safety and require similar certifications, a Freelance Automotive Functional Safety Engineer works independently on various projects, offering flexibility. An Automotive Safety Engineer is typically employed full-time within a company, focusing on ongoing safety processes. The choice depends on your preference for employment type and project scope.

What are some common challenges faced by freelance automotive functional safety engineers when working with multiple clients?

Freelance automotive functional safety engineers often juggle projects for different clients, each with unique processes and safety requirements. Navigating varying interpretations of ISO 26262, aligning with diverse development cycles, and integrating into existing teams remotely can be challenging. Effective communication, adaptability, and thorough documentation are essential for ensuring consistent safety standards across projects. Additionally, freelancers must stay proactive in updating their knowledge as safety regulations and technologies evolve.

What does a freelance automotive functional safety engineer do?

A Freelance Automotive Functional Safety Engineer is a specialist who works independently to ensure that automotive systems and components meet safety standards, such as ISO 26262. They analyze potential hazards, develop safety concepts, and support the implementation of safety mechanisms in vehicles. Their role often involves risk assessment, documentation, and collaborating with design and engineering teams to minimize safety-related risks throughout the product lifecycle. Freelancers in this field offer flexibility and specialized expertise to automotive companies on a per-project basis.

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

To succeed as a Freelance Automotive Functional Safety Engineer, you need strong knowledge of ISO 26262 standards, systems engineering, and vehicle electronics, typically supported by an engineering degree and relevant experience. Familiarity with safety analysis tools such as FMEA, FTA, and requirements management software, as well as certifications like TÜV Functional Safety Engineer, is often required. Exceptional communication, problem-solving, and self-management skills are crucial for collaborating with diverse clients and managing projects independently. These qualifications ensure the safe development of automotive systems, compliance with industry standards, and effective client relationships in a freelance setting.
More about Freelance Automotive Functional Safety Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Freelance Automotive Functional Safety Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Freelance Automotive Functional Safety Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Automotive Functional Safety Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Automotive Functional Safety Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Freelance Automotive Functional Safety Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Freelance Automotive Functional Safety Engineer jobs include:
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Freelance Automotive Functional Safety Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Freelance Automotive Functional Safety Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $99,230 per year, or $47.7 per hour.

Senior Functional Safety Engineer

Dexterity

Redwood City, CA • On-site

$125K - $150K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 16 days ago

Job description

About Dexterity
At Dexterity, we believe robots can positively transform the world. Our breakthrough technology frees people to do the creative, inspiring, problem-solving jobs that humans do best by enabling robots to handle repetitive and physically difficult work. We're starting with warehouse automation, where the need for smarter, more resilient supply chains impacts millions of lives and businesses around the world.
Dexterity's full-stack robotics systems pick, move, pack, and collaborate with human-like skill, awareness, and learning capabilities. Our systems are software-driven and hardware-agnostic and have already picked over 15 million goods in production. And did we mention we're customer-obsessed? Every decision, large and small, is driven by one question - how can we empower our customers with robots to do more than they thought was possible?
Dexterity is one of the fastest-growing companies in robotics, backed by world-class investors such as Kleiner Perkins, Lightspeed Venture Partners, and Obvious Ventures. We're a diverse and multidisciplinary team with a culture built on passion, trust, and dedication. Come join Dexterity and help make intelligent robots a reality!
About the Role
As a Functional Safety Engineer, you will lead functional safety design and verification initiatives of robotic systems and support regulatory compliance for North America, European, and Japanese markets. The ideal candidate will have an in-depth understanding of applicable industry standards and will strive to balance an innovative engineering mindset with established design and safety principles in a new and emerging industry. You will take a key role in Dexterity's scale and global expansion by designing and implementing safe and compliant solutions.
Responsibilities
  • Collaborate with Hardware, System, and Software teams on safety analyses, including risk assessment, failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA), fault tree analysis (FTA), and SIL determination.
  • Define functional safety requirements for robotic systems, subsystems, and components, specifying safety functions, performance criteria, and SIL based on risk assessment.
  • Design safety architectures for robotic systems, including hardware and software safety features, redundancy mechanisms, fault detection, and fault tolerance strategies, to achieve required safety goals
  • Support the implementation of functional safety engineering solutions, including component selection and programming.
  • Create safety documentation, including necessary documentation for compliance, safety policies, and safety checklists.
  • Define and execute safety validation and verification plans to ensure compliance with safety standards and requirements.
  • Offer subject matter expertise regarding industry standards and regulations.
  • Develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and tools for training, troubleshooting, and maintaining functional safety systems in customers' sites at scale.
  • Stay up to date with the latest safety and compliance trends, regulations, and technologies.

Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or related engineering field
  • 10+ years of relevant experience in functional safety in the robotics, automation, manufacturing, aerospace, or automotive industries.
  • Knowledge of relevant domestic and international standards such as ANSI/RIA R15.06, ANSI/RIA R15.08, ISO 10218, ISO 12100, ISO 13849, NFPA79, UL 1740, UL3100, IEC 60204, IEC 61496, IEC 61508, and IEC 62061.
  • Familiarity with CE directives such as the Machinery Regulation and EMC Directive. Professional certification in functional safety or compliance (e.g., CFSE, CMSE, CECE) is highly preferred
  • Experience with programming languages such as Structured Text, Ladder Logic, Function Block Diagrams, etc.
  • Experience with electronics systems, including PLCs, microcontrollers, and/or mixed-signal designs.
  • Familiarity with industrial communication protocols and their utilization for safety-rated communication, such as PROFINET, Ethernet/IP, EtherCAT/FSoE, MODBUS, etc.
  • Familiarity with functional safety components and leading and emerging market vendors.
  • Proven ability to work independently and take ownership of projects, as well as collaborate effectively in a team environment.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including communicating technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders and upper management.
  • Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed.

$125,000 - $150,000 a year
Base pay is one element of our Total Rewards package which may also include comprehensive benefits and equity etc., depending on eligibility. The annual base pay range for this position is from $125,000 to $150,000. The actual pay offered will be determined on factors such as years of relevant experience, skills, education etc. Decisions will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Additional Information
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

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