Lead Functional Safety Engineer-Federal

Lead Functional Safety Engineer

FieldAI is transforming how robots interact with the real world. We are building risk-aware, reliable, and field-ready AI systems that address the most complex challenges in robotics, unlocking the full potential of embodied intelligence. We're looking for a Lead Functional Safety Engineer to support systems-level design, integration, and validation for our wheeled robotic platforms across both federal and commercial programs.

In this role, you will serve as the team's resident safety expert and primary individual contributor, owning our approach to UGV functional safety. First, you will design and deploy a supervised safety system featuring remote E-Stops and indicator lights to ensure safe personnel interaction. Next, you will lead the transition to a non-line-of-sight autonomous safety architecture. You will architect the system, get hands-on with configuring the PLCs, and ensure seamless control handoffs between the safety hardware, human operators, and the autonomy stack.

This is a highly impactful role for a hands-on engineer who can drive our immediate safety milestones and lay the groundwork to build and lead a dedicated safety team as the company scales.

What You Will Get To Do

• Safety System Architecture & Design
• Hands-on Hardware Configuration
• Autonomy & Human-Machine Interface Integration
• Field Deployment & Testing
• Technical Leadership & Scalability

What You Have

• BS or MS in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Computer Engineering, or a related field with significant relevant industry experience.
• Deep, hands-on expertise in configuring, programming, and debugging Safety PLCs.
• Proven experience selecting and integrating hardware safety components such as remote E-Stops, safety relays, and safety lidars.
• Strong ownership mindset with the ability to operate as a self-directed individual contributor and technical authority.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with electrical engineers (for wiring/integration) and software engineers (for system handoffs).

The Extras That Set You Apart

• Familiarity with relevant safety standards (e.g., ISO 13849, ISO 3691-4, IEC 61508, or ANSI/RIA R15.08).
• Prior experience working with robotics, autonomous vehicles, off-road equipment, or heavy machinery.
• Experience deploying systems in demanding environments like construction, mining, or agriculture.
• Familiarity with software interfaces (ROS/ROS2, C++) to better understand the handoff between safety systems and the autonomy stack.
• Previous experience serving as a technical lead or mentoring junior engineers.

This position is for our FieldAI Federal Team. This team works on projects connected to the U.S. government which requires U.S. Person eligibility. A U.S. Person as defined by 22 C.F.R §120.62 includes U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, lawful permanent residents (green card holders) refugee or asylee.

Compensation

The salary range for this role is $70,000-$300,000. The actual offer for this position will be based on factors such as relevant experience, competencies, certifications, and how well the candidate meets the qualifications outlined above. Part of our compensation package also includes full benefits, equity, and generous time off.

Field AI Onsite Work Philosophy

At Field AI, we believe the most effective way to collaborate and solve complex challenges is by working together in person. This is a fully onsite role, and candidates will be expected to work from our Mission Viejo, CA office. In-person engagement is essential to our success, and we offer flexible working hours to support focus and work-life balance.

Why Join Field AI?

We are solving one of the world's most complex challenges: deploying robots in unstructured, previously unknown environments. Our Field Foundational Models™ set a new standard in perception, planning, localization, and manipulation, ensuring our approach is explainable and safe for deployment.

You will have the opportunity to work with a world-class team that thrives on creativity, resilience, and bold thinking. With a decade-long track record of deploying solutions in the field, winning DARPA challenge segments, and bringing expertise from organizations like Deep Mind, NASA JPL, Boston Dynamics, NVIDIA, Amazon, Tesla Autopilot, Cruise Self-Driving, Zoox, Toyota Research Institute, and SpaceX, we are set to achieve our ambitious goals.

Be Part of the Next Robotics Revolution

To tackle such ambitious challenges, we need a team as unique as our vision — innovators who go beyond conventional methods and are eager to tackle tough, uncharted questions. We're seeking individuals who challenge the status quo, dive into uncharted territory, and bring interdisciplinary expertise. Our team requires not only top AI talent but also exceptional software developers, engineers, product designers, field deployment experts, and communicators.

We are headquartered in always-sunny Irvine, Southern California and have US based and global teammates.

Join us, shape the future, and be part of a fun,…