Functional Safety Engineer

Gravis Robotics is a startup turning heavy construction machines into intelligent and autonomous robots. Our unique combination of learning-based automation and augmented remote control enables a single operator to safely manage a fleet of earthmoving machines in a gamified environment. With over a decade of academic experience at the cutting edge of large-scale robotics, our team is rapidly translating this expertise into real-world deployments with industry leaders in a trillion-dollar market.

About the role

At Gravis, we operate at the intersection of hardware, software, and real-world deployment. Our Rooftop Autonomous Control Kit (RACK) integrates sensing, compute, communication, and networking into a manufacturer-agnostic solution deployable across a wide range of construction machines.

As a Functional Safety Engineer at Gravis, you will own the safety lifecycle for our robotic and automated systems — from initial hazard analysis through to validation and regulatory submission. Working at the intersection of systems, hardware, and software engineering, you will translate safety requirements into robust designs and ensure our products are safe by design, whether they're operating on a Swiss quarry or a live construction site in Manchester. This role puts you at the heart of some of the most technically demanding and consequential work in autonomous machinery.

What You Will Do

Safety Analysis & Design

• Lead hazard identification and risk assessment activities (HARA, HAZOP, FMEA/FMEDA) for new and existing products
• Define safety requirements and safety integrity levels (SIL/PLr) in accordance with ISO 13849
• Design and verify safety functions, including safety-related control systems and protective measures
• Review and approve safety-critical hardware and software designs; conduct safety architecture reviews

Standards & Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure products comply with ISO 13849, ISO 19014, Machinery Directive/Regulation, and other applicable standards
• Prepare and maintain the safety case and technical file, including all required evidence for conformity assessment and CE marking
• Liaise with Notified Bodies and external safety assessors throughout the certification process
• Monitor evolving safety standards and regulatory requirements; assess impact on existing and future products

Safety Processes & Tooling

• Define and embed functional safety processes within the product development lifecycle (V-model,agile safety workflows)
• Use safety analysis tooling (e.g. SISTEMA, SafexI, or equivalent) and PLC/safety controller environments such as CODESYS or equivalent IEC 61131-3 platforms
• Establish and maintain functional safety plans, verification and validation plans, and associated records
• Support or lead functional safety audits, both internal and external

Collaboration & Mentoring

• Collaborate with hardware, software, systems, and product teams to integrate safety requirementsthroughout the design process
• Mentor engineers on functional safety principles and best practices; facilitate safety workshops andtraining
• Produce clear, high-quality deliverables: safety reports, analysis results, verification records, andcertification documentation
• Engage with customers, suppliers, and regulators on safety-related matters as required

Required Qualifications

• 3+ years of functional safety engineering experience in an industrial, robotics, or automation environment
• Deep knowledge of ISO 13849; proven experience applying safety standards through full product development cycles
• Hands-on experience with hazard analysis techniques: HARA, HAZOP, FMEA/FMEDA
• Experience preparing technical documentation and safety cases for Notified Body review and CE marking
• Familiarity with IEC 61131-3 safety PLC environments (CODESYS or equivalent: Siemens TIA Portal, Studio 5000, etc.)
• Strong understanding of the Machinery Directive/Regulation and its practical application to productdesign
• Experience working within structured development lifecycles (V-model or equivalent) with safety processes embedded
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to present safety arguments to technical and non-technical audiences

Nice To Have

• Relevant functional safety certifications: TÜV Functional Safety Engineer, IEC 62061 or ISO 13849 specialist, or equivalent
• Experience with cybersecurity-safety interaction and combined security/safety risk assessments
• Familiarity with IEC 61508 as the parent standard underpinning sector-specific functional safety norms
• Experience in safety-critical development across any of the following domains: ○ Autonomous robotics and mobile robotic platforms ○ Advanced perception-based or visual safety solutions ○ Heavy earthmoving equipment or related sectors like agricultural automation
• Experience using model-based design or formal methods for safety-critical system development

Don't meet every requirement? If you're enthusiastic about this role but your experience doesn't match every qualification, we still encourage you to apply. You might be the perfect candidate for this or other positions.

This is an opportunity to join a dynamic and versatile team, and to be part of a young startup that will revolutionize heavy construction. Gravis Robotics offers a fair market salary and a working location in thevibrant city of Zurich. As a forward-facing startup, we understand that work-life balance and flexibility areimportant considerations for many professionals: If you are a highly qualified candidate with the requisiteskills and experience, we encourage you to apply and discuss your preferred working arrangement duringthe interview process.

Gravis is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team, anddo not discriminate based upon race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age,gender identity, gender expression, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics.

We are an international team that is working to solve problems with a global impact: to facilitate efficient communication and collaboration, proficiency in English is a requirement for all roles.