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Freelance Functional Safety Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Rivian

Staff Functional Safety Engineer

Plymouth, MI · On-site

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 ...

Rivian

Staff Functional Safety Engineer

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

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 ...

Rivian

Staff Functional Safety Engineer

Carson, CA · On-site

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 ...

Clarios, LLC

$110 - $160/hr

What you will do The Electronics Functional Safety Engineer (FSE) is a design and development role within the Advanced Battery Core Electronics Team that reports directly to the Global Electronics ...

Rivian

Staff Functional Safety Engineer

Carson, CA

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 ...

Rivian

Staff Functional Safety Engineer

Carson, CA · On-site

Role Summary As a Software Functional Safety Engineer, you will be responsible for performing functional safety and low-level drivers, base and application software safety development for power ...

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Freelance Functional Safety Engineer information

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

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for freelance functional safety engineer in the United States is $131,349.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $108,500.00 and $147,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a freelance functional safety engineer?

Freelance Functional Safety Engineers are independent professionals who specialize in ensuring that systems and products—such as those used in automotive, industrial, or electronics sectors—meet established safety standards. They assess risks, develop safety requirements, and help clients comply with regulations like ISO 26262 or IEC 61508. Unlike full-time employees, these engineers work on a contract basis, offering flexibility and expertise on specific projects. Their role includes conducting safety analyses, reviewing designs, and supporting safety certification processes. Clients often hire freelance functional safety engineers for their specialized knowledge and ability to address short-term or project-based safety needs.

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

To thrive as a Freelance Functional Safety Engineer, you need a robust background in safety engineering, risk assessment, and relevant standards like ISO 26262 or IEC 61508, often supported by an engineering degree and industry certifications. Familiarity with safety analysis tools (e.g., FMEA, FTA), requirements management software, and safety lifecycle management systems is typically required. Excellent communication, project management, and problem-solving skills help you liaise with clients and ensure successful project delivery. These competencies are vital for ensuring compliance, mitigating risks, and delivering high-quality safety solutions in dynamic work environments.

What are some common challenges faced by freelance functional safety engineers, and how can they be addressed?

Freelance functional safety engineers often encounter challenges such as adapting to diverse project requirements, maintaining up-to-date knowledge of evolving safety standards, and effectively communicating with multidisciplinary teams. Since each client or project may operate within different industry frameworks (like IEC 61508 or ISO 26262), staying organized and proactive in learning is crucial. Building a network of industry contacts and joining professional communities can also help freelancers stay informed and supported. Clear communication and documentation skills are essential to ensure alignment with clients and efficient project delivery.

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

AspectFreelance Functional Safety EngineerFreelance Safety Consultant
CertificationsISO 26262, IEC 61508, TÜV certificationsVaries; often includes ISO 45001, ISO 9001, or industry-specific safety standards
Work EnvironmentDesign and assess safety systems in automotive, industrial, or machinery sectorsProvide safety assessments, audits, and compliance advice across various industries
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by automotive, manufacturing, and automation companiesEngaged by multiple industries including manufacturing, healthcare, and construction

While both roles focus on safety, Freelance Functional Safety Engineers specialize in designing and validating safety systems based on specific standards like ISO 26262, primarily in automotive and industrial sectors. Freelance Safety Consultants offer broader safety advisory services across industries, focusing on compliance and risk management. The choice depends on whether you need technical safety system development or general safety consulting.

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Freelance Functional Safety Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Freelance Functional Safety Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $131,349 per year, or $63.1 per hour.

Functional Safety Engineer, Energy Storage

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Redwood Materials
Clean Energy Equipment Manufacturing • 501 - 1,000 employees

7.6

Company rating: 7.6 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

23rd of 91 rated recycling and waste

People enjoy working here

Good employer

Respectful managers

Learn more about Redwood Materialsexternal

Full-time

Re-posted 14 days ago

Job description

Functional Safety Engineer, Energy Storage

Redwood Materials is pioneering a sustainable circular economy for lithium-ion batteries by transforming recycled materials into critical inputs for energy storage and next-generation battery technologies. We are seeking a motivated and experienced Functional Safety Engineer to join our team and play a key role in ensuring compliance with functional safety standards and advancing the safe deployment of new energy storage system (ESS) technologies. 

Responsibilities will include: 

  • Functional Safety & Compliance: Lead compliance activities for ESS functional safety with a focus on UL 1998 (Software in Programmable Components), UL 991 (Tests for Safety-Related Controls Employing Solid-State Devices), and UL 5500 (Remote Software Updates). Support certification efforts and align product development with functional safety requirements
  • Standards Application & Development: Apply safety principles and methodologies to ESS hardware and software. Facilitate and lead the development of FMEA's, hazard analyses, safety cases, and test strategies. Represent Redwood in standards development activities to help shape emerging requirements for ESS functional safety
  • Certification Management: Work with certification bodies (NRTLs) to establish and manage compliance programs for new technologies, ensuring timely approvals to support product introduction milestones. Partner closely with engineering and product teams to integrate safety requirements into development cycles
  • Team Support & Alignment: Translate complex safety standards into actionable requirements for cross-functional teams. Provide technical guidance on functional safety practices and address feedback to align product designs with compliance needs
  • Risk Management: Develop, document, and execute hazard mitigation and validation strategies. Support testing and verification activities to ensure system safety performance. Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to resolve compliance and safety issues proactively
  • Stakeholder Collaboration: Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, and product design teams to streamline compliance and safety processes for ESS. Maintain strong relationships with certification bodies and industry partners to stay ahead of evolving safety requirements

Desired Qualifications: 

  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related field 
  • Hands-on experience in embedded software development, ideally within safety-critical or regulated environments
  • Preferred experience developing or working directly with microcontroller-based systems, including low-level software or firmware
  • Proficiency in C for real-time embedded systems
  • Strong background in UL 1998, UL 991, and UL 5500
  • Familiarity with international functional safety standards such as IEC 61508, IEC/UL 60730, ISO 26262, or ISO 13849 (preferred)
  • Experience working with Energy Storage Systems, power electronics, or safety-critical systems
  • Demonstrated ability to apply functional safety methodologies (e.g., hazard analysis, safety cases, V&V planning)
  • Experience managing compliance or certification processes with third-party testing/certification bodies
  • Strong organizational skills, with high attention to detail
  • Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical requirements to diverse stakeholders
  • A passion for sustainability and making the world a better place!

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