Principal Safety Lead

About the Team

Avride is a fast-growing leader in the autonomous vehicle and delivery robot industry, developing the future of mobility from the ground up. We are building cutting-edge technology to make transportation safer and more efficient, with a core team bringing extensive experience in autonomous technology. Our engineering teams develop the core software, infrastructure, and algorithms that power every aspect of our self-driving systems, from perception and localization to planning, control, and simulation.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and visionary Principal Safety Lead to direct and manage all aspects of system safety for our autonomous vehicle platform. You will be at the forefront of defining, implementing, and overseeing the safety strategy that ensures our vehicles navigate the complexities of the real world safely and reliably. This is a critical leadership opportunity to build and manage a world-class safety culture and team, making a significant impact on the future of autonomous technology.

What You'll Do

• Develop, own, and execute the comprehensive system safety strategy for Avride's autonomous vehicles.


• Lead and mentor a team of safety engineers, fostering a world-class safety culture across the organization.


• Direct all safety-related activities, including hazard analysis (HARA), FMEA, FTA, and the development of the overall Safety Case.


• Ensure and demonstrate compliance with key safety standards (e.g., ISO 26262, ISO 21448/SOTIF).


• Define and manage safety requirements throughout the entire product lifecycle, from concept to deployment.


• Define, track, and report on key Safety Performance Indicators (SPIs) to monitor and continuously improve system safety.


• Collaborate closely with engineering teams (such as Planning, Perception, Control, and Hardware) to ensure safety is designed into the system from the ground up.


• Oversee all safety verification and validation (V&V) activities, including simulation and real-world testing.


• Lead safety-critical incident response, investigation, and analysis.


• Act as the primary point of contact for regulatory bodies, certification agencies, and external safety auditors.

What You'll Need

• Significant (5+ years) professional experience in safety-critical systems (e.g., automotive, aerospace, robotics, or autonomous vehicles).


• Proven experience in a leadership or management role, building and mentoring technical teams.


• Strong expertise in functional safety (ISO 26262) and SOTIF (ISO 21448).


• Experience developing and delivering a "Safety Case" for a complex, novel system.


• Familiarity and practical experience with safety analysis methodologies (e.g., HARA, FMEA, FTA, HAZOP).


• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering (e.g., Computer, Electrical, Mechanical), Computer Science, or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience.


• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with a proven ability to influence and lead cross-functional teams.


• Flexible and creative thinker, capable of "out-of-the-box" problem-solving in a fast-paced, novel field.

Nice to Have

• Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in a relevant engineering or safety-related field.


• Direct experience in the autonomous vehicle industry.


• Familiarity with related standards such as UL 4600, ISO/TR 5083, and automotive cybersecurity (ISO 21434).


• Experience with the safety of AI and machine learning-based systems.


• Knowledge of systems engineering principles and tools (e.g., DOORS, SysML).


• Experience using simulation at scale for safety validation.

Candidates are required to be authorized to work in the U.S. The employer is not offering relocation sponsorship, and remote work options are not available.