Director of Product Safety

Principal Systems Safety Engineer

Austin, Texas

Our client is an advanced robotics company developing intelligent, AI-driven robotic systems designed to operate safely alongside people in real-world environments. Their technology spans the full robotics stack, integrating hardware, software, and autonomy to deliver next-generation robotic platforms for commercial and industrial applications.

As they continue to scale their systems toward large-scale deployment, they are seeking a Principal Systems Safety Engineer to define and lead the product safety strategy across their robotics portfolio.

This is a highly influential role responsible for shaping the safety architecture, functional safety strategy, and regulatory roadmap for complex electro-mechanical systems. The successful candidate will partner closely with engineering leadership to embed safety into system design, development methodologies, and product commercialization from concept through production.

If you are a systems-level thinker who thrives in fast-moving environments and has experience bringing complex robotic or autonomous systems safely to market, this role offers the opportunity to have a significant impact on the future of intelligent machines.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and drive the product safety strategy and roadmap across advanced robotic platforms.

• Lead system-level hazard analysis and risk assessments including HARA, DFMEA, and other industry-standard methodologies.

• Define and architect functional safety frameworks aligned with standards such as IEC 61508, IEC 62061, and relevant robotics safety standards.

• Establish safety requirements and technical safety concepts across hardware, software, and system integration layers.

• Guide system-level failure analysis and support component-level safety assessments across the product architecture.

• Partner with cross-functional teams including mechanical, electrical, software, and validation engineering to integrate safety throughout the development lifecycle.

• Lead safety activities required for commercialization and regulatory certification of robotic systems.

• Develop and maintain key safety documentation including safety plans, risk analyses, and compliance reports.

• Collaborate with product, validation, and operations teams to ensure safety requirements are verified, validated, and documented effectively.

• Act as the internal subject matter expert on functional safety, regulatory compliance, and safety engineering best practices.

Skills & Experience

• Deep expertise in systems engineering and safety engineering for complex electro-mechanical or robotic systems.

• Extensive experience performing hazard analysis, risk assessment, DFMEA, and system safety architecture design.

• Proven track record bringing complex products from concept through commercial deployment with safety certification.

• Strong familiarity with robotics and functional safety standards such as R15.06, R15.08, IEC 62061, and IEC 61508.

• Experience implementing safety processes, tools, and compliance frameworks within engineering organizations.

• Demonstrated leadership influencing cross-functional engineering teams and driving safety-focused design decisions.

• Experience with requirements management tools such as JAMA or similar systems.

• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to evaluate risk and make informed design decisions that enhance system safety.

• Track record supporting or securing NRTL or equivalent safety certifications for commercial products.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related field (Master’s preferred).

• Typically 10+ years of experience in systems or safety engineering for complex robotic, autonomous, or electro-mechanical systems.

• Experience leading safety initiatives for products transitioning from R&D into commercial production.