1

Vehicle Safety Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Showing results 21-40

Vehicle Safety Engineer information

See salary details

$48.5K

$104.6K

$164.5K

How much do vehicle safety engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for vehicle safety engineer in the United States is $104,622.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $71,500.00 and $135,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a vehicle safety engineer do?

A Vehicle Safety Engineer is responsible for designing, testing, and evaluating vehicles to ensure they meet safety regulations and standards. They work to minimize risks to drivers, passengers, and pedestrians by analyzing crash data, developing safety features like airbags and seatbelts, and conducting crash simulations and physical tests. Vehicle Safety Engineers collaborate with other engineers, regulatory agencies, and manufacturers to implement new safety technologies and ensure compliance with safety laws. Their work helps make vehicles safer and reduce injuries and fatalities on the road.

What are some common challenges vehicle safety engineers face when working on new vehicle models?

Vehicle Safety Engineers often encounter the challenge of balancing innovative design elements with safety compliance requirements. As new vehicle models introduce advanced technologies or alternative materials, engineers must ensure these features do not compromise occupant safety or fail to meet regulatory standards. Coordinating across multidisciplinary teams, such as design, manufacturing, and regulatory affairs, is essential to implement safety features without delaying production timelines. Additionally, staying current with evolving safety regulations and testing protocols is crucial in this dynamic field.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a vehicle safety engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Vehicle Safety Engineer, you need a solid background in mechanical or automotive engineering, knowledge of vehicle safety standards, and typically a bachelor's degree in engineering. Familiarity with CAD software, crash simulation tools, and regulatory compliance systems such as FMVSS or Euro NCAP is essential. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective teamwork and communication skills help you excel in this role. These skills ensure the design and implementation of safer vehicles, compliance with regulations, and effective collaboration with multidisciplinary teams.

What is the difference between Vehicle Safety Engineer vs Automotive Safety Specialist?

AspectVehicle Safety EngineerAutomotive Safety Specialist
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Mechanical, Automotive, or Electrical Engineering; certifications like SAE or ISO standardsBachelor's in Engineering or related field; certifications in safety standards
Work EnvironmentDesign labs, testing facilities, manufacturing plantsTesting centers, safety compliance offices, R&D departments
Employer & Industry UsageAutomotive manufacturers, suppliers, safety testing agenciesAutomotive companies, safety consulting firms, regulatory agencies
Common Search & ComparisonVehicle Safety EngineerAutomotive Safety Specialist

Vehicle Safety Engineers focus on designing and testing vehicle safety features, ensuring compliance with safety standards. Automotive Safety Specialists often analyze safety data, conduct inspections, and advise on safety improvements. Both roles require similar credentials and work environments, but their specific responsibilities differ in scope and focus within the automotive industry.

Is a vehicle safety engineer in high demand?

Vehicle safety engineers are in high demand due to increasing safety regulations and advancements in vehicle technology, such as autonomous systems and electric vehicles. Employers seek professionals with expertise in crash testing, safety standards, and relevant certifications, making this a growing field with good job prospects.

What qualifications do you need to be a vehicle safety engineer?

A vehicle safety engineer typically needs a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, automotive engineering, or a related field. Relevant skills include knowledge of safety standards, crash testing, and vehicle systems, often complemented by experience with CAD software and safety regulations. Professional certifications in safety or engineering can enhance job prospects.

What cities are hiring for Vehicle Safety Engineer jobs?

Cities with the most Vehicle Safety Engineer job openings:

What states have the most Vehicle Safety Engineer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Vehicle Safety Engineer jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Vehicle Safety Engineer jobs?

For Vehicle Safety Engineer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Vehicle Safety Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 98% Physical, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $104,622 per year, or $50.3 per hour.

Autonomous Vehicle Safety Operator (Safety Driver)

Orlando, FL

$20.25 - $25.50/hr

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago


Job description

About the Role

We are looking for Autonomous Vehicle Safety Operators (Safety Drivers) to support the testing, validation, commercial deployment, and scaling of autonomous vehicle (AV) and robotaxi fleets across North America.

As an Autonomous Vehicle Safety Operator, you will play a critical role in ensuring the safe operation of self-driving vehicles during testing, pilot programs, and commercial autonomous ride-hailing services. Working closely with engineering, fleet operations, and depot teams, you will monitor vehicle behaviour, ensure compliance with operational procedures, and safely intervene whenever required.

No previous autonomous vehicle experience is required. We provide comprehensive training on autonomous driving systems, operational procedures, and safety protocols. We are looking for experienced, responsible drivers with excellent situational awareness who are excited to contribute to the future of mobility.

This position offers the opportunity to work with some of the world's most advanced autonomous vehicle technologies, supporting robotaxi launches, fleet expansion, and commercial autonomous transportation across multiple cities.

Key Responsibilities
Autonomous Vehicle Operations
  • Safely operate and monitor autonomous vehicles during testing, validation, and commercial robotaxi fleet operations.
  • Continuously supervise the performance of the self-driving system while maintaining full awareness of surrounding traffic conditions.
  • Take immediate manual control of the vehicle whenever required by operational procedures or safety protocols.
  • Complete assigned routes while ensuring compliance with local traffic regulations and company operating procedures.
  • Support the successful deployment of autonomous ride-hailing services by maintaining safe and consistent vehicle operation.
Fleet Readiness & Vehicle Inspection
  • Conduct pre-trip and post-trip inspections to ensure each autonomous vehicle is deployment-ready.
  • Verify vehicle cleanliness and inspect cameras, sensors, mirrors, lighting, and other critical systems before each shift.
  • Report any damage, abnormal vehicle behaviour, or maintenance concerns to depot and technical teams.
  • Support overall fleet readiness by ensuring vehicles remain available for daily operations.
Data Collection & Operational Reporting
  • Record disengagements, observations, and operational events using company reporting tools.
  • Provide clear, structured feedback on vehicle behaviour, traffic conditions, and unusual scenarios encountered during testing or commercial operations.
  • Assist engineering teams by documenting situations that improve the performance of autonomous driving systems.
  • Maintain accurate operational records and complete all required documentation.
Safety & Compliance
  • Follow all operational procedures, safety protocols, and regulatory requirements.
  • Participate in ongoing training, certification, and safety refreshers.
  • Maintain professionalism when interacting with members of the public during autonomous vehicle testing and robotaxi operations.
  • Support continuous improvement initiatives aimed at increasing the safety and efficiency of autonomous fleet operations.
Requirements
Essential
  • Valid driver's license.
  • Minimum 5 years of driving experience.
  • Clean driving record with no major violations.
  • Ability to successfully pass a background verification (BGV).
  • Ability to pass pre-employment and random drug and alcohol screening.
  • Excellent situational awareness and defensive driving skills.
  • Comfortable driving for extended periods in urban and highway environments.
  • Ability to follow detailed operational procedures with high attention to detail.
  • Strong communication and reporting skills.
  • Upper-Intermediate English.
Preferred
  • Experience as a professional driver, fleet driver, chauffeur, ride-hailing driver, or vehicle tester.
  • Previous experience supporting automotive testing, ADAS validation, mapping, or fleet operations.
  • Familiarity with electric vehicles (EVs).
  • Experience working in shift-based or 24/7 operational environments.
What We're Looking For

Successful Autonomous Vehicle Safety Operators are calm under pressure, highly observant, and committed to safety. They enjoy working with emerging technologies and understand the importance of consistency, accuracy, and procedural compliance in supporting autonomous vehicle deployment and robotaxi fleet operations.

You do not need previous experience working with autonomous vehicles - our comprehensive training program will prepare you to safely support the testing, deployment, and commercial operation of self-driving vehicles.

What We Offer
  • Opportunity to work on some of most advanced autonomous vehicle and robotaxi programs.
  • Comprehensive training on autonomous driving systems and operational procedures.
  • Long-term career opportunities within the rapidly growing autonomous mobility industry.
  • Exposure to cutting-edge robotics, artificial intelligence, and autonomous transportation technologies.
  • International projects supporting robotaxi launches, new city deployments, and fleet scaling across North America.
  • A collaborative environment working alongside engineering, operations, and technical specialists developing the future of autonomous ride-hailing services.

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.