Avride · 2 months ago
Principal Safety Lead
Austin, TX
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
5+ years expAvride is a fast-growing leader in the autonomous vehicle and delivery robot industry, developing cutting-edge technology for safer and more efficient transportation. The Principal Safety Lead will direct and manage all aspects of system safety for the autonomous vehicle platform, ensuring vehicles navigate real-world complexities safely and reliably.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)AutomotiveAutonomous VehiclesRobotics
No H1B
Responsibilities
Develop, own, and execute the comprehensive system safety strategy for Avride's autonomous vehicles
Lead and mentor a team of safety engineers, fostering a world-class safety culture across the organization
Direct all safety-related activities, including hazard analysis (HARA), FMEA, FTA, and the development of the overall Safety Case
Ensure and demonstrate compliance with key safety standards (e.g., ISO 26262, ISO 21448/SOTIF)
Define and manage safety requirements throughout the entire product lifecycle, from concept to deployment
Define, track, and report on key Safety Performance Indicators (SPIs) to monitor and continuously improve system safety
Collaborate closely with engineering teams (such as Planning, Perception, Control, and Hardware) to ensure safety is designed into the system from the ground up
Oversee all safety verification and validation (V&V) activities, including simulation and real-world testing
Lead safety-critical incident response, investigation, and analysis
Act as the primary point of contact for regulatory bodies, certification agencies, and external safety auditors
Qualification
Required
Significant (5+ years) professional experience in safety-critical systems (e.g., automotive, aerospace, robotics, or autonomous vehicles)
Proven experience in a leadership or management role, building and mentoring technical teams
Strong expertise in functional safety (ISO 26262) and SOTIF (ISO 21448)
Experience developing and delivering a 'Safety Case' for a complex, novel system
Familiarity and practical experience with safety analysis methodologies (e.g., HARA, FMEA, FTA, HAZOP)
Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering (e.g., Computer, Electrical, Mechanical), Computer Science, or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience
Strong communication and collaboration skills, with a proven ability to influence and lead cross-functional teams
Flexible and creative thinker, capable of 'out-of-the-box' problem-solving in a fast-paced, novel field
Preferred
Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in a relevant engineering or safety-related field
Direct experience in the autonomous vehicle industry
Familiarity with related standards such as UL 4600, ISO/TR 5083, and automotive cybersecurity (ISO 21434)
Experience with the safety of AI and machine learning-based systems
Knowledge of systems engineering principles and tools (e.g., DOORS, SysML)
Experience using simulation at scale for safety validation
Company
Avride
Avride is a developer and operator of autonomous vehicles and delivery robots.
201-500 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageTotal Funding
$850M2025-10-22Corporate Round· $375M
2020-09-04Corporate Round· $100M
2020-09-04Convertible Note· $50M
Leadership Team
Anton Slesarev
Chief Technology Officer
Sergei Kirillov
Director Global Sales and Partnerships
Recent News
2026-01-16
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2026-01-07
2026-01-03
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