Functional Safety Engineer

Zero Motorcycles pushes the boundaries of technology and design to produce high performance electric motorcycles that are lightweight, efficient, fast off-the-line, and fun to ride. We advance commercial partner product applications by transforming end-user experience with our innovative Z-Force® electric powertrains that also deliver value and high performance. 

Scope of Position:

This position is responsible for compliance with Functional Safety standards (e.g. ISO 26262) as it applies to motorcycles and powertrain applications. The function will advise mechanical, electrical, and software/firmware engineering development teams to achieve compliant electric motorcycle, powertrain, and battery systems. Furthermore, this position has the responsibility to align engineering program development methods and processes with Functional Safety principles. This position is full time in Scotts Valley, CA and reports to the Director of Powertrain Applications Engineering.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversees the alignment of product development processes to deliver appropriate levels of compliance to ISO 26262 and relevant motorcycle and powertrain application market Functional Safety requirements and standards.
• Owns, coordinates, and schedules implementation of Functional Safety in new product development programs.
• Performs HARAs to identify safety hazards and define safety goals and safety requirements
• Creates and maintains additional relevant Functional Safety documentation, and generates applicable and relevant internal test reports, executive summaries, official submissions, etc.
• Work with development departments to review hardware and firmware architectures to align on requirements, assess impact, and support follow-through including engaging to generate input and revisions to Functional Safety analysis. 
• Prepares and presents Functional Safety materials within Zero and with customers and suppliers, supporting tool usage with focused training.
• Ownership of identification and champion support for Functional Safety tool sets through the organization. 
• Stays abreast of future changes to regulations affecting vehicle Functional Safety. Advise on changes in scope in transportation and stationary power markets.
• Other assignments as appropriate given the skillset and ambition of the team member

Required Education/Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering such as Mechanical, Systems, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent applied experience
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant regulatory & standards use including applied knowledge of:
  • ISO 26262, IEC 61508, UL, CE, SAE, CPSC
• Experience with product lifecycle verification and validation tools
• Functional Safety template document generation, data input and validation, publishing, and team support
  
• Delivery of assessments and gap analysis reports 
• Engagement in small group sessions to provide insight and alignment support throughout various levels of technical and business functions 

Preferred Experience/Training:

• Multiple relevant Industrial powertrain, Automotive, or Powersports development project contributions
  
• Knowledge of:
  • FMVSS, EU 168/2013, ADR, ECE regulations

Skills and Character Attributes:

• Positive attitude
  
• Willingness to help 
• Communication skills including making open-minded approaches with a touch of humor, humility, and stating opinions concisely and clearly
• Calm, pragmatic approach to workload
• Solid sense of ownership
• Passionate about personnel and product safety, and mobility solutions
  
• Excellent follow-through and documentation of work
  
• Task scheduling including use of time-management systems
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Organized, superior attention to detail
• Diligent, reliable, and tenacious
• Ability to relate software and firmware development process and terminology knowledge to functional safety concepts
  

Other Requirements

• Licensed motorcycle rider a plus
• Occasional domestic or international travel may be required
• Physical and Sensory Requirements:
  • Candidate must be able to sit for long periods of time to perform duties, and to move around and make inquiries from other staff, management as needed.
  • Must be able to bend or stoop down to access files, including lifting of items or objects up to 30 lbs.
• May represent Zero in regulatory rule making committees.

The range for this position is $140K - $180K depending on experience and location