Senior Staff Robotics Functional Safety Engineer

Summary

Join Agility Robotics, a pioneer in humanoid robot development, as a Senior Staff Robotics Functional Safety Engineer. Lead and elevate our architecture team, driving system-level design decisions and ensuring scalability in a fast-paced startup environment. This role is based remotely in the San Francisco Bay Area or within commuting distance to Salem, OR (with relocation assistance available). You will own the development and improvement of the functional safety lifecycle, from concept to validation, collaborating with cross-functional teams. This high-impact role requires a strong background in functional safety for mobile or legged robots and a passion for enabling safe autonomous systems deployment. You will ensure our robots operate safely and reliably, both in development and in the field, contributing to a future where robots are commonplace and approachable.

Requirements

• BS in Robotics, Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, or related fields
• 12+ years in robotics or safety-critical engineering roles, including 7+ years focused on functional safety
• Experience supporting or leading field deployment of robotic systems , including on-site troubleshooting, configuration, or validation
• Deep familiarity with functional safety lifecycle practices and experience producing deliverables aligned with ISO 13849, IEC 61508, or similar
• Familiarity with applicable safety standards for mobile and industrial robots, including ANSI/RIA R15.08 and the ISO 10218 series
• Experience managing third-party vendors or labs for verification and validation (V&V) activities to ensure compliance, quality, and traceability
• Hands-on experience with safety design and implementation of industrial mobile robots or dynamic systems (e.g., legged, autonomous, or collaborative robots)
• Proven ability to coordinate across engineering teams to define and validate safety requirements
• Experience using safety analysis tools such as SISTEMA
• Strong communication skills and an ability to advocate for safety in technical decision-making

Responsibilities

• Lead functional safety efforts from concept through deployment, including documentation and compliance with the machinery directive, ISO 13849, IEC 62061, IEC 61508, and relevant industrial mobile robot standards such as ANSI R15.08
• Create and maintain key safety deliverables such as risk assessments, safety requirement specifications (SRS), FMEDA, SISTEMA analyses, validation plans, and safety cases
• Support customer deployments through remote collaboration and on-site visits as needed, ensuring safe and compliant integration of robotic systems in dynamic environments
• Collaborate across disciplines to define, communicate, and validate safety-critical requirements for hardware, embedded software, and control systems
• Drive architecture-level safety decisions for mobile and legged robots, balancing real-world performance, technical risk, and compliance
• Oversee third-party vendors and labs for verification and validation (V&V) activities—including activities in support of CE marking for European market access —to ensure quality, traceability, and alignment with internal safety goals
• Coordinate closely with the compliance team to ensure coverage of electrical safety, hazardous materials, environmental and radio regulations such as NFPA 79, IEC 60204-1, REACH, RoHS, FCC , and related directives
• Contribute to safety firmware development , including fault detection, diagnostics, watchdogs, and safe-state logic
• Advise on AI safety , ensuring machine learning or autonomy features operate within defined and predictable safety boundaries as defined in the ISO IEC TS 22440 series
• Monitor industry standards and best practices , and proactively evolve internal safety processes to meet or exceed regulatory and customer expectations

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with safety firmware implementation (e.g., fault handling, safe state logic)
• Familiarity with AI/ML safety practices in robotic systems
• Advanced degree (MS/PhD) in Robotics, Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, or related field
• Experience supporting or leading field deployment of robotic systems
• Involvement in standards development or working groups
• Experience mentoring and growing teams of senior engineers and staff-level talent

Benefits

• 401(k) Plan: Includes a 6% company match
• Equity: Company stock options
• Insurance Coverage: 100% company-paid medical, dental, vision, and short/long-term disability insurance for employees
• Benefit Start Date: Eligible for benefits on your first day of employment
• Well-Being Support: Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Time Off: Exempt Employees: Flexible, unlimited PTO and 10 company holidays, including a winter shutdown
• Time Off: Non-Exempt Employees: 10 vacation days, paid sick leave, and 10 company holidays, including a winter shutdown, annually
• On-Site Perks: Catered lunches twice a week and a variety of healthy snacks and refreshments at our Salem and Pittsburgh locations
• Parental Leave: Generous paid parental leave programs
• Work Environment: A culture that supports flexible work arrangements
• Growth Opportunities: Professional development and tuition reimbursement programs
• Relocation Assistance: Provided for eligible roles