Director, System Safety

Success in this role typically requires the following competencies:

L4 Safety Case Architecture: Owns the safety case end-to-end — including ML-aware analysis (ISO 21448, ISO 8800). Has personally contributed to an L4 safety case, not only reviewed one.

AI-Native Safety Mindset: Has built safety arguments for learned components (neural-network planners, transformer-based driving stacks, end-to-end models) where the V-model alone is insufficient. Comfortable defining runtime monitors, distributional-shift mitigations, and uncertainty-quantification strategies that anchor a credible safety case for ML-based decision-making.

Data-Driven Safety: Has used vehicle telemetry, simulation results, or operational metrics to change a safety roadmap, gate a release, or escalate a risk. Partners naturally with data science and ML engineers to define safety KPIs and guard-rails grounded in evidence.

Driver-Out / Driverless Deployment Execution: Has been a key contributor to the gating, partner-readiness, and regulator steps required to remove the safety driver from a commercial AV deployment. Comfortable owning the technical recommendation behind a go/no-go decision.

Partner & Regulator Engagement: Co-leads safety conversations with strategic commercial partners (ride-hail, OEM, transit agency) and regulators alongside an executive sponsor — represents technical depth credibly without losing the audience.

People Leadership: Has managed managers or has managed a team of senior ICs and is ready to step up to manager-of-managers. Track record of hiring under ambiguity and onboarding leaders into existing programs.

SMS and Safety Process Build-Out: Has contributed to standing up or substantively expanding a Safety Management System — incident investigation, near-miss reporting, risk register operationalization, recall process. Cross-pollination from aviation SMS, rail, or another safety-critical industry is welcome.

Operational Bias to Closure: Pulls plans through gates. Comfortable in a startup pace where the safety org is being built in parallel with commercial deployment, including across multiple time zones.

Communication: Demonstrated ability to communicate, present and influence credibly and efficiently at all levels of the organization, including executive and C-level.

Candidates most successful in this role typically hold the following qualifications or comparable knowledge or experience:

8+ years in product or system safety engineering, with 3+ years on L3+ AV or comparable hard-tech safety programs (aviation, rail, robotics).

BA/BS degree in engineering, computer science, or a related technical field; advanced degree preferred.

Direct experience authoring safety case work products (HARA, FTA, FMEA, safety case construction) on a shipping vehicle or equivalent cyber-physical program.

Hands-on contribution to at least one driverless or driver-out commercial deployment milestone — named on the safety recommendation.

3+ years managing engineers, including at least one stint managing a manager OR leading a team of senior ICs and ready to step up to manager-of-managers.

Experience working with regulators (NHTSA, FMCSA, FTA, state DMVs, MLIT, or international equivalents) — direct or in close partnership with an executive sponsor.

Working knowledge of ML-driven decision-making safety standards (ISO 21448 SOTIF, ISO 8800) and traditional functional safety (ISO 26262) preferred.

Experience in Automotive, AV, Aerospace, or another safety-critical regulated industry is highly preferred.

Proven success working in a start-up or small business where there are minimal resources, nothing comes easy, and things don't always work as planned.

Strongly preferred: prior experience at an AV or AI-driving company with an end-to-end learned or ML-heavy autonomy stack.

Preferred: experience contributing to a published safety assurance framework or runtime-monitoring methodology for learned components.

Familiarity with the safety-cybersecurity intersection (ISO/SAE 21434, NHTSA Cybersecurity Best Practices) is a plus — May's product cyber and safety functions partner closely.

Ability to undergo a driving record check.

Preferred: technical credibility — comfortable reading safety-relevant C++ or Python in code review, with hands-on use of data tools (Jupyter, Databricks, Power BI) and AI-assisted analysis within the last 24 months to interrogate operational data themselves.

Physical Requirements

Standard office working conditions which includes but is not limited to:

Prolonged sitting

Prolonged standing

Prolonged computer use

Benefits and Perks

Comprehensive healthcare suite including medical, dental, vision, life, and disability plans. Domestic partners who have been residing together at least one year are also eligible to participate.

Health Savings and Flexible Spending Healthcare and Dependent Care Accounts available.

Rich retirement benefits, including an immediately vested employer safe harbor match.

Generous paid parental leave as well as a phased return to work.

Flexible vacation policy in addition to paid company holidays.

Total Wellness Program providing numerous resources for overall wellbeing

Want to learn more about our culture & benefits? Check out our website!

May Mobility is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants for employment will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, genetics or any other legally protected basis. Below, you have the opportunity to share your preferred gender pronouns, gender, ethnicity, and veteran status with May Mobility to help us identify areas of improvement in our hiring and recruitment processes. Completion of these questions is entirely voluntary. Any information you choose to provide will be kept confidential, and will not impact the hiring decision in any way. If you believe that you will need any type of accommodation, please let us know.

Note to Recruitment Agencies: May Mobility does not accept unsolicited agency resumes. Furthermore, May Mobility does not pay placement fees for candidates submitted by any agency other than its approved partners.

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