Principal / Lead Robotics Safety Engineer

About the Role We are seeking a Principal / Lead Robotics Safety Engineer to lead the development and deployment of functional safety and safety‑of‑the‑intended‑functionality (SOTIF) frameworks for our next‑generation robotic systems. This role is responsible for defining the system‑level safety architecture, safety case, and safety engineering processes required to deploy robotics products safely in real‑world environments. Key Responsibilities Safety Architecture & System Design Define and lead the end‑to‑end safety architecture for robotics platforms including sensing, compute, actuation, and communication systems. Architect fail‑operational / fail‑safe system designs, including degradation strategies and minimum risk maneuvers. Define safety mechanisms across hardware, software, and system levels. Guide the design of redundant perception, compute, and control architectures. Functional Safety Engineering Lead development of functional safety lifecycle activities including: Item Definition Hazard Analysis and Risk Assessment (HARA) Safety goals and safety requirements Functional and technical safety concepts Safety architecture design Verification and validation Ensure compliance with relevant standards such as: ISO 26262

IEC 61508

ISO 13849

ISO 21448 (SOTIF)

Robotics safety standards (e.g., ISO 10218, ISO 13482 where applicable) Safety Case & Regulatory Strategy Develop and maintain the system safety case demonstrating that the robotics platform meets acceptable safety targets. Lead safety argumentation and evidence collection across design, verification, and field data. Support regulatory engagement and certification activities where required. AI/Autonomy Safety Define safety approaches for AI/ML‑based perception and decision‑making systems. Develop strategies for: runtime safety monitoring cross‑sensor consistency checks safety envelopes and fallback strategies safety validation of machine learning models Cross‑Functional Leadership Work closely with: Robotics perception teams Motion planning and controls teams Hardware architecture teams Embedded software and middleware teams Provide technical leadership and mentorship to safety engineers and system architects. Verification & Validation Define safety validation strategies including: Scenario‑based testing Simulation‑based safety validation Fault injection testing Hardware‑in‑the‑loop and vehicle/robot testing Ensure traceability from hazards to verification evidence. Safety Culture & Processes Establish best practices for safety engineering across the organization. Drive integration of safety activities into development. Educate engineering teams on safety principles and safe system design. Minimum Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 8+ years of Systems Engineering or related experience. Master's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 7+ years of Systems Engineering or related experience. PhD in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 6+ years of Systems Engineering or related experience. Preferred Qualifications MS or PhD in Robotics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field. 10+ years of experience in safety‑critical systems engineering. 5+ years leading functional safety programs in robotics, automotive, aerospace, or industrial automation. Deep expertise in functional safety standards such as: ISO 26262

IEC 61508

ISO 13849

ISO 21448 (SOTIF)

Strong Understanding of Robotics System Architecture Perception systems (camera, radar, lidar). Motion planning and control. Embedded compute platforms. Experience developing safety architectures for autonomous or robotic systems. Experience performing HARA / risk analysis. Strong systems engineering mindset with ability to work across hardware, software, and AI systems. Experience with autonomous systems or automated driving (ADAS / ADS). Experience developing safety cases for AI‑based systems. Familiarity with safety audits and assessments, and certification processes. Experience with simulation and scenario‑based validation frameworks. Experience with fail‑operational robotic architectures. Knowledge of cybersecurity standards (ISO 21434) and their interaction with safety. Prior experience as Functional Safety Manager or Safety Architect. Leadership Expectations Serve as a technical authority on robotics safety. Influence system architecture decisions across the organization. Mentor safety and systems engineers. Shape long‑term safety strategy for robotics platforms. Impact Your work will directly enable the safe deployment of next‑generation robotics and autonomous systems, ensuring that complex autonomous behaviors operate safely in dynamic real‑world environments. Equal Opportunity Employer Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected classification. Pay Range & Other Compensation & Benefits Pay range: $192,600.00 – $330,400.00. This range reflects the broad minimum to maximum pay scale for this position in the posted location. Salary is only one component of total compensation at Qualcomm. Additional benefits include an annual discretionary bonus program and opportunities for annual RSU grants. The benefits package is designed to support success at work, at home, and at play. #J-18808-Ljbffr Qualcomm