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Functional Safety Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Ford Motor Company

Staff Functional Safety Engineer

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$146K - $276K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • PTO

Demonstrated technical project management skills with the ability to manage multiple parallel, cross-functional safety-critical projects. Deep understanding of embedded control system development ...

Pivotal

Safety Manager

Palo Alto, CA

Facilitate Safety Review Boards and cross-functional safety forums * Lead EH&S programs across ... Certification in safety management or a related field is preferred. * Previous experience leading ...

Kodiak

Functional Safety Engineer, Hardware

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$130K - $190K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Support supplier management activities. * Collaborate with Kodiak internal and external ... Experience with functional safety standards such as ISO26262, SOTIF, and UL4600. * Good ...

Pivotal

Safety Manager

Palo Alto, CA

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

Facilitate Safety Review Boards and cross-functional safety forums * Lead EH&S programs across ... Certification in safety management or a related field is preferred. * Previous experience leading ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsFunctional Safety JobsFunctional Safety Manager JobsFunctional Safety Manager Jobs in California

Functional Safety Manager information

See California salary details

$31.6K

$96.9K

$154K

How much do functional safety manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for functional safety manager in California is $96,903.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $76,500.00 and $115,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by functional safety managers when coordinating cross-functional teams?

Functional Safety Managers often encounter challenges in aligning different departments, such as engineering, quality assurance, and project management, to ensure compliance with safety standards like ISO 26262. Each team may have unique priorities and technical languages, which can lead to communication gaps and differing interpretations of safety requirements. Overcoming these challenges requires strong leadership, clear documentation, and regular cross-functional meetings to ensure everyone is on the same page regarding safety goals. Additionally, ensuring that all team members are adequately trained and aware of the latest safety protocols is essential for project success.

What is the difference between Functional Safety Manager vs Safety Engineer?

AspectFunctional Safety ManagerSafety Engineer
CertificationsISO 26262, IEC 61508, CSNEISO 26262, IEC 61508, CSNE
Work EnvironmentLeadership roles in safety management, project oversightTechnical safety analysis, risk assessments
Industry UsageAutomotive, industrial, aerospaceAutomotive, manufacturing, process industries

The main difference is that a Functional Safety Manager oversees safety programs and manages teams, while a Safety Engineer focuses on technical safety analysis and risk assessments. Both roles require similar certifications and are integral to safety-critical industries, but their responsibilities differ in scope and focus.

What does a functional safety manager do?

A Functional Safety Manager is responsible for overseeing the implementation and maintenance of safety standards within product development, especially in industries like automotive, industrial automation, and aerospace. They ensure that systems and processes comply with relevant safety regulations such as ISO 26262 or IEC 61508. Their role includes conducting risk assessments, coordinating safety activities across teams, and managing documentation to verify that products meet all safety requirements before release.

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

To thrive as a Functional Safety Manager, you need a deep understanding of safety standards (such as ISO 26262 or IEC 61508), risk assessment, and safety lifecycle processes, usually backed by an engineering degree and relevant experience. Familiarity with safety analysis tools (like FMEA, FTA), safety case management systems, and certifications such as TÜV Functional Safety Engineer are commonly required. Strong analytical thinking, leadership, and effective communication are vital soft skills for guiding teams and interfacing with stakeholders. These skills and qualifications ensure that complex systems are designed and maintained to meet rigorous safety requirements, minimizing risk and ensuring regulatory compliance.

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

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

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

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

What cities in California are hiring for Functional Safety Manager jobs?

Cities in California with the most Functional Safety Manager job openings:

Functional Safety Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Functional Safety Manager job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 2% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $96,903 per year, or $46.6 per hour.

Functional Safety Engineer, Software

Kodiak

Mountain View, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 15 days ago

Job description

Job Summary:
Kodiak Robotics, Inc. is a leader in autonomous ground transportation committed to a safer and more efficient future. They are seeking a Functional Safety Software Engineer to develop and manage safety cases for their autonomous vehicle technology, ensuring compliance with safety standards like ISO 26262.
Responsibilities:
• Participate in developing technical safety requirements to be used in the Kodiak Autonomy System in various approved Operational Design Domains.
• Lead specification of software safety requirements.
• Participate in development of software safety architectural design.
• Participate in software safety unit design and implementation.
• Develop test plans, test procedures, verification reports at the software unit and software integration levels. Support system level testing from a software safety perspective.
• Perform software safety analyses (e.g. dependent failure analysis) to comply with ISO 26262.
• Support Hardware-Software Interface development and derive safety measures.
• Collaborate with Kodiak internal and external stakeholders to review and assess work products for compliance with ISO 26262.
Qualifications:
Required:
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in software, electrical, mechanical or other related engineering and/or a Bachelor’s degree with professional experience in a high tech environment
• Experience with Part 4, 6, 8 and 9 of ISO 26262. Special emphasis on implementation of Part 6 for autonomous vehicles
• Experience with developing work products for safety critical systems.
• Experience with system and software level verification and validation of autonomous vehicles
• Experience with functional safety standards such as ISO26262, SOTIF, and UL4600.
• Good communication skills with a collaborative approach
• Ability to structure project tasks and drive evidence development among teams
• Knowledge of software configuration management and software quality assurance
Company:
Endlessly adaptable. Always reliable. Through the endless demands of a world in constant motion, Kodiak helps you get the job done. Founded in 2018, the company is headquartered in Mountain View, USA, with a team of 201-500 employees. The company is currently Growth Stage.

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