SOTIF Engineer

About Forterra

Forterra is a leading provider of autonomous systems for ground-based movement in the working world. Amongst some of the earliest innovators in the field of driverless technology, Forterra is focused on building systems that protect front-line soldiers and enable civilian workers in our industrial base. Forterra is the go-to provider of ground autonomy solutions for the U.S. Department of Defense, which harnesses the technology for asymmetric warfare in critical conditions.

About the role

Forterra is seeking an experienced SOTIF Engineer to join our team and drive efforts in the development of autonomous systems. This role is critical for identifying and mitigating potential hazards resulting from system limitations, weaknesses, or misuse. The SOTIF Engineer will ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations while contributing to the safety of our technology.

What you'll do

• Lead the development and implementation of SOTIF (Safety of the Intended Functionality) strategies and methodologies throughout the product lifecycle, ensuring adherence to ISO 21448 and relevant standards.
• Collaborate closely with stakeholders to seamlessly integrate SOTIF considerations into product development processes.
• Utilize hazard analysis techniques to conduct comprehensive risk assessments, identifying potential hazards associated with the intended functionality of autonomous systems.
• Prioritize risks and recommend mitigation strategies to enhance product safety.
• Prepare clear and concise documentation of SOTIF analyses, assessments, and findings. Effectively communicate results to stakeholders and regulatory bodies as required, ensuring transparency and compliance with industry standards.
• Define and establish SOTIF requirements, metrics, and verification methods aligned with ISO 21448 and other applicable standards. Work collaboratively with cross-functional teams to integrate these requirements into overall safety and functional safety frameworks.
• Develop robust verification and validation plans for SOTIF features, collaborating closely with test teams to execute tests and validate safety mechanisms. Implement rigorous testing protocols to ensure reliable and safe autonomous driving technologies.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across SOTIF engineering practices, processes, and tools.
• Proactively identify opportunities to optimize safety assurance methodologies and enhance product reliability.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to safety engineers and cross-functional teams engaged in SOTIF activities. Cultivate a culture of safety excellence and innovation, promoting best practices and knowledge sharing.
• Stay updated on industry trends in autonomous driving technology, functional safety standards, and SOTIF practices. Apply insights to refine and advance SOTIF strategies within the organization.

Qualifications

• Experienced SOTIF Engineer capable of leading cross-functional teams to develop and deploy robust SOTIF programs. Demonstrated expertise in implementing SOTIF strategies across complex projects.
• Excellent ability to collaborate with multiple stakeholders in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. Capable of effectively conveying technical concepts and project requirements.
• Deep understanding of various sensor technologies relevant to autonomous systems. Proficient in assessing their strengths and weaknesses across different operational scenarios.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong Safety Engineering fundamentals and knowledge of modern safety engineering techniques, processes and simulation tools (e.g., dSPACE, CARLA, CarMaker)
• Experience with managing requirements (Jama, Doors, Polarion) and issue tracking (JIRA)
• Direct experience in the design and development of autonomous vehicles or advanced ADAS applications.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field; Master’s degree preferred.
• 2+ years of work experience as a SOTIF engineer specifically, with 5+ years of experience in safety engineering
• Expertise with ISO 21448, ISO 26262, UL 4600 and/or safety critical system design best practices
• Technical domain knowledge of autonomous vehicles or similar autonomous robotic systems
• Expertise with safety analysis techniques such as FMEA, FTA, FMEDA, STPA.
• Expertise in safety requirement authorship such as functional safety requirements, technical safety requirements, hardware and software safety requirements
• Strong communication skills and the ability to communicate complex engineering issues to a diverse team
• Flexible, adaptable mindset, open-minded: we try to solve a problem that has never been solved before.

US Salary Range
 $150,000—$220,000 annually
 

The salary range for this role is an estimate and is based on a wide variety of compensation factors. The salary offered to candidates will vary based on a variety of factors including (but not limited to) relevant work experience, education, specialized training, critical expertise, training, and more. Equity in Forterra is included in most of our full-time, high-demand roles and is therefore considered part of Forterra’s overall compensation package. In addition to base salary and equity, Forterra offers competitive benefits for full-time employees including:

• Premium Healthcare Benefits: Three plan options, including an HSA-eligible plan, with Forterra covering 80% of the plan premium for you and your dependents.  
• Basic Life/AD&D, short and long-term disability insurance plans 100% covered by Forterra, plus the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your dependents.
• Extremely generous company holiday calendar including a winter break in December.
• Competitive paid time off (PTO) offering 20 days accrued per year.
• A minimum of 7 weeks fully paid parental leave for birth/adoption. 
• A $9k annual tuition reimbursement or professional development stipend.
• Fully stocked beverage refrigerators with all the Celsius your little heart desires. 
• 401(k) retirement savings plan, including traditional, Roth 401(k), and after-tax deferral with company match up to 4%.

Your recruiter will be able to share more information about our salary and benefits offering during the hiring process.  

Forterra is an equal-opportunity employer, providing and promoting equal employment opportunity in accordance with local, state, and federal laws. Forterrans are unique, talented individuals who are united through a shared passion to deliver autonomous systems that enable national resilience and a robust supply chain. All qualified applications will receive equal consideration for employment.

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