Vehicle Operational Safety Engineer II

Key Responsibilities

Lead the review and support safety release cases, operational safety cases, and supporting evidence to evaluate operational readiness and risk acceptance decisions.

Assess mission constraints, operational limitations, and safety controls to ensure vehicle operations remain within approved safety boundaries.

Support data-driven and risk-based decision-making using operational safety metrics, incident trends, audit findings, and safety performance data.

Conduct operational safety risk assessments for vehicle testing, deployment activities, route changes, environmental conditions, and procedural modifications.

Identify hazards, evaluate risk severity and likelihood, and recommend mitigations and operational controls to reduce safety exposure.

Collaborate with engineering, operations, and safety stakeholders to ensure operational safety assumptions, constraints, and mitigations are adequately documented and maintained.

Conduct vehicle operations safety patrols, inspections, and operational assessments to identify unsafe conditions, process gaps, and operational risks.

Track, investigate, and follow up on audit findings, safety concerns, incidents, and corrective actions to ensure timely resolution and continuous improvement.

Support incident investigations, root cause analysis, and development of corrective and preventive actions.

Assist in developing, reviewing, and improving operational processes and procedures aligned with the organization’s Quality Management System (QMS) and operational safety objectives.

Monitor compliance with internal safety standards and operational procedures.

Maintain safety documentation, risk registers, operational readiness records, audit documentation, and safety assessment reports.

Participate in operational readiness reviews, safety review boards, and cross-functional risk discussions.

Promote a proactive safety culture through operational guidance, risk awareness, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Safety, Engineering, Operations Management, Quality, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

5+ years experience in vehicle operations, fleet safety, autonomous vehicle operations, transportation safety, manufacturing safety, or a related operational environment.

Experience conducting operational risk assessments and implementing risk mitigation strategies.

Familiarity with safety case frameworks, safety assurance methodologies, operational safety evaluations, or functional safety principles.

Experience supporting data-driven operational decisions using safety metrics, operational trends, or risk analysis.

Understanding of mission constraints, operational design domains (ODD), or operational safety limitations in vehicle testing or deployment environments.

Familiarity with audit processes, corrective actions, and continuous improvement methodologies.

Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced operational environment.

Preferred Qualifications

Knowledge of U.S. AD/ADAS vehicle safety regulations and applicable industry standards.

Experience with Safety Management Systems (SMS).

Knowledge of ISO standards, functional safety, or Safety of the Intended Functionality (SOTIF) principles.

Knowledge of Quality Management Systems (QMS) and process/procedure development.

Experience supporting operational readiness reviews, safety validation activities, or safety governance boards.

Proficiency with reporting tools, documentation systems, data analysis tools, and risk tracking platforms.