Senior Functional Safety Engineer - Robotics

Algorized is a venture‑backed deep‑tech startup that blends Silicon Valley ambition with Swiss engineering roots. The company creates edge‑AI models that give robots real‑time awareness of nearby people by using existing wireless sensors, enabling safer collaboration between humans and machines. The opening is for a Senior Functional Safety Engineer who will design the safety envelope for people‑sensing systems used on both stationary and mobile robots in industrial settings, and guide those systems through PLd/SIL2 certification. The role is based on‑site in either Campbell, California, or Etoy, Switzerland; fully remote work is not offered. The day‑to‑day work revolves around leading the complete safety certification lifecycle. This includes performing gap analyses, selecting and managing the certification body, preparing the technical file, overseeing type testing, and securing the final certificate. The engineer will audit vendor hardware safety manuals to ensure their certified scope aligns with Algorized's system safety goals. They will also architect safety‑critical software features, such as supervision, plausibility checks, diagnostics, and safe‑state logic, that remain operational independent of the AI subsystem, and define the integration path to customer machines via safe I/O and field‑bus protocols. Building and maintaining the functional safety management system, establishing coding standards, traceability, and tool qualification, as well as producing quantitative safety cases (FMEDA, diagnostic coverage, failure‑rate analysis) and full documentation sets, are core responsibilities. Collaboration with algorithms, software, and product teams to define safety goals, concepts, and cases for both functional failure (PLd/SIL2) and functional insufficiency (SOTIF) is also required, along with occasional travel to customer sites for integration, commissioning, and audits. Candidates must bring at least five years of experience in safety‑critical systems or embedded software, including two to three years focused on functional safety. A master's degree in Computer Science, Electrical/Electronics Engineering, or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience, is required. Applicants need proven ownership of a product's journey through an independent certification body (such as a Notified Body, TÜV, UL, exida, or similar) from technical file creation to certificate issuance, and must be comfortable representing Algorized to auditors and leadership. Familiarity with functional safety standards like IEC 61508, ISO 13849, and ISO 21448 (SOTIF) is essential, as is strong proficiency in C/C++ and Python within embedded or edge environments (ARM, Linux, RTOS). Hands‑on experience linking software to hardware, through I/O, controllers, or fieldbuses, in any safety‑critical domain (robotics, industrial automation, aerospace, medical devices, etc.) is also mandatory. Preferred, but not required, qualifications include direct IEC 61496 (ESPE) experience with light curtains or radar, CFSE/CFSP certification, and a track record of managing certification‑body relationships directly. Practical knowledge of industrial safety fieldbus protocols, safe I/O integration with robot or PLC controllers, and the ability to produce safety documentation such as FMEA, diagnostic coverage, and V&V test plans are valued. Additional familiarity with MISRA‑C, safety‑rated MCUs, edge‑AI SoCs/GPU platforms, or deeper RTOS expertise is also a plus. The position offers a competitive salary, equity ownership, medical/dental/vision benefits, a 401(k) plan, and unlimited PTO, reflecting the early‑stage startup environment. What the role asks for: - 5+ years safety‑critical systems or embedded software experience - 2–3 years functional safety experience - MSc in Computer Science, Electrical/Electronics Engineering or equivalent - Led product through independent certification body to certificate - Knowledge of IEC 61508, ISO 13849, ISO 21448 (SOTIF) - Proficient in C/C++ and Python for embedded/edge platforms - Experience interfacing software with hardware I/O, controllers, fieldbuses - IEC 61496 (ESPE) experience with light curtains or radar - CFSE/CFSP certification (TÜV, exida or equivalent) - Managed certification body relationship directly - Industrial safety fieldbus protocols and safe I/O integration experience - Produced safety documentation such as FMEA, diagnostic coverage, V&V plans - Familiar with MISRA‑C, safety‑rated MCUs, edge‑AI SoCs/GPU platforms