Senior/Staff System Safety Engineer - Trajectory Generation
Zoox
Foster City, CA, USA
USD 201k-290k / year + Equity
Posted on Apr 23, 2025
The Platform Safety Engineering and Analysis team at Zoox defines system requirements for Zoox’s robot platform to ensure safe and reliable autonomous vehicle operation, including hardware and associated firmware. This team works at the intersection of hardware and software to establish the technical framework that connects component-level requirements to system-level and product level requirements.
As a Senior / staff Systems Safety Engineer for Trajectory Generation, you will work across hardware and software domains to develop comprehensive system safety requirements and metrics that ensure safe and reliable trajectory generation capabilities for our autonomous vehicle platform. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the fundamental architecture and requirements that enable safe autonomous vehicle operation, working at the cutting edge of robotics and autonomous systems.
In this role, you will:
- Maintain and develop system safety requirements for trajectory generation systems, including hardware like sensors and compute platforms. Consider the full context of the autonomous driving software/hardware stack, and Operational Design Domain.
- Collaborate with hardware, firmware, and AI software teams to establish the safety case for trajectory generation within the full robot system. Ensuring system architecture safety requirements are met.
- Analyze system performance and create technical safety specifications that align hardware capabilities with software requirements.
- Document system architecture, requirements, and technical decisions.
Qualifications
- M.S. or higher degree in Systems Engineering, Robotics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related fields with 5+ years of relevant experience
- Strong systems engineering background with experience in requirements management, system architecture and modeling, and validation methodologies
- Demonstrated experience with sensing systems (cameras, lidars, radars) and compute hardware platforms in safety-critical applications
- Understanding of autonomous vehicle software stack and integration challenges
- Strong analytical skills in performance metrics definition and system-level trade-off analysis
- Excellent technical communication and documentation abilities
- Proficiency with probability, statistics, and quantitative risk analysis
- Experience working with cross-functional teams in complex technical environments
- Working-level experience with Functional Safety standards such as ISO 26262, ISO 21448, MIL-STD-882, and equivalent.
Bonus Qualifications
- Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in a relevant field
- Experience with autonomous vehicle development or similar complex robotics systems
- Knowledge of automotive-grade hardware systems and integration requirements
- Familiarity with requirements management tools (e.g., Polarion, DOORS)
- Understanding of ML/AI systems and their requirements
- Certification with relevant safety standards such as ISO 26262
Compensation
There are three major components to compensation for this position: salary, Amazon Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), and Zoox Stock Appreciation Rights. The salary range for this position is $201,000 to $290,000. A sign-on bonus may be offered as part of the compensation package. Compensation will vary based on geographic location and level. Leveling, as well as positioning within a level, is determined by a range of factors, including, but not limited to, a candidate's relevant years of experience, domain knowledge, and interview performance. The salary range listed in this posting is representative of the range of levels Zoox is considering for this position.
Zoox also offers a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (e.g. sick leave, vacation, bereavement), unpaid time off, Zoox Stock Appreciation Rights, Amazon RSUs, health insurance, long-term care insurance, long-term and short-term disability insurance, and life insurance.
About Zoox
Zoox is developing the first ground-up, fully autonomous vehicle fleet and the supporting ecosystem required to bring this technology to market. Sitting at the intersection of robotics, machine learning, and design, Zoox aims to provide the next generation of mobility-as-a-service in urban environments. We’re looking for top talent that shares our passion and wants to be part of a fast-moving and highly execution-oriented team.
Follow us on LinkedIn
Accommodations
If you need an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process please reach out to accommodations@zoox.com or your assigned recruiter.
A Final Note:
You do not need to match every listed expectation to apply for this position. Here at Zoox, we know that diverse perspectives foster the innovation we need to be successful, and we are committed to building a team that encompasses a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and skills.