Senior–Staff Functional Safety Architect - Industrial Application

Job Description

We are looking for an experienced and visionary Functional Safety Architect to define, drive, and govern functional safety concepts for next-generation industrial systems. In this role, you will lead system-level safety architecture across hardware, software, and system boundaries, ensuring compliance with international functional safety standards for industrial, automation, robotics, and energy applications.

You will act as the technical authority for functional safety, bridging customer safety requirements, market regulations, and product engineering. Your work will ensure that our industrial solutions achieve the highest levels of safety, reliability, and regulatory compliance while enabling innovation and time-to-market.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and own the system-level functional safety architecture for industrial applications, covering sensors, MCUs/SoCs, power devices, actuators, and communication interfaces.
• Translate safety requirements from standards, regulations, and customer use cases into system, hardware, and software safety requirements.
• Lead hazard analysis and risk assessment activities (HARA), safety concept development, and safety lifecycle planning.
• Define safety mechanisms, diagnostics, redundancy concepts, and fault-handling strategies across HW/SW boundaries.
• Ensure alignment with functional safety standards such as IEC 61508, IEC 62061, ISO 13849, and related sector-specific standards.
• Drive HW/SW partitioning decisions with a focus on safety integrity, freedom from interference, and fault containment.
• Specify and review safety requirements, Safety Requirements Specifications (SRS), safety manuals, and safety case documentation.
• Collaborate closely with Product Groups, system architects, hardware, software, and validation teams to ensure end-to-end safety integrity.
• Support product definition and roadmaps by assessing safety implications, certification effort, and architectural trade-offs.
• Guide and review safety-related design, implementation, verification, and validation activities across the product lifecycle.
• Interface with customers, assessors, and certification bodies to support safety assessments, audits, and certifications.
• Support customer engagements by explaining safety concepts, assumptions of use, and integration guidelines.
• Monitor industry trends, evolving standards, and regulatory requirements, and integrate insights into safety strategies and architectures.
• Contribute to reference architectures, application notes, and safety concept reuse across multiple industrial platforms.
• Provide functional safety training, mentoring, and technical guidance to internal engineering and application teams.

Qualifications

• Master’s or Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechatronics, Systems Engineering, or a related field.
• 8+ years of experience in embedded or industrial system development, with significant responsibility in functional safety.
• Proven track record as a Functional Safety Architect, Safety Manager, or Lead Safety Engineer for industrial or automation systems.
• Deep understanding of functional safety standards such as IEC 61508, IEC 62061, ISO 13849, and their application to industrial equipment.
• Strong experience with safety lifecycle activities including HARA, safety concept definition, safety analysis (FMEA, FMEDA, FTA), and safety validation.
• Solid knowledge of embedded systems architecture, microcontrollers/SoCs, real-time software, and industrial communication protocols (e.g., CAN, EtherCAT, PROFINET, Modbus).
• Experience defining and assessing safety mechanisms such as diagnostics, watchdogs, redundancy, diversity, and safe-state concepts.
• Ability to work cross-functionally and communicate complex safety topics clearly to engineering, business, customers, and assessors.
• Strong documentation skills and experience preparing safety-related documentation for internal and external stakeholders.

Nice to Have

• Functional Safety certification (e.g., TÜV Functional Safety Engineer/Professional).
• Experience with cybersecurity and its interaction with functional safety in industrial systems.
• Background in robotics, motion control, motor drives, or industrial power conversion.
• Familiarity with semiconductor safety architectures, safety libraries, and safety-certified IP.
• Experience supporting third-party assessments and certifications with notified bodies.

Additional Information

Renesas is an embedded semiconductor solution provider driven by its Purpose, To Make Our Lives Easier. With a global team of over 21,000 engineers and problem solvers in more than 30 countries, we offer the opportunity to work on world‑leading technology for Automotive, Industrial, Infrastructure, and IoT, shaping a safer, healthier, greener, and smarter future.

At Renesas, TAGIE is our culture, grounded in being Transparent, Agile, Global, Innovative, and Entrepreneurial. It shapes how we work, grow and deliver on our purpose together. This collaborative spirit and mindset drive our semiconductor technology to transform industries and impact millions of lives.

We believe in rewarding our employees with a competitive benefits package alongside their salary. More information will be provided during the hiring process.

Are you ready to join our team and shape the future with us?

Renesas Electronics is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, committed to supporting diversity and fostering a work environment free of discrimination on the basis of sex, race, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, military status, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. For more information, please read our Diversity & Inclusion Statement.