Principal Systems Engineer, Safety

Zoox

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Foster City, CA hybrid Until 8/23/2026 H-1B sponsor history First posted November 2, 2025 Last posted November 2, 2025
Job description
Zoox is on an ambitious journey to develop a full-stack autonomous mobility solution for cities and safely deploy such a robotaxi solution. The System Design and Mission Assurance (SDMA) team plays a foundational role in the company's success, responsible for constructing the safety case and fail-operational design for our autonomous driving robots before public road deployment.
 
We are looking for a Principal Systems Engineer to lead the design and assurance efforts for overall safety and fail-operational initiatives. In this highly visible position, you will lead technical programs with cross-functional teams, defining, developing, and continuously refining the methodology for measuring and optimizing safety and fail-operational metrics. You will serve as a trusted technical partner for the Vice President of System Design and Mission Assurance, at times representing the Vice President in leadership meetings.
 
You will be part of an organization with strong leadership and a transparent, respectful culture that enables you to reach your full potential. This highly visible position offers opportunities for career growth through demonstrated achievement.

In this role, you will:

  • Define and refine the strategy and architecture for the Systems Engineering efforts that guide Zoox’s approach to safety and fail-operational initiatives
  • Lead and oversee the definition, development, and evolution of safety and fail-operational metrics that measure the robotaxi’s ability to safely complete customers’ journeys
  • Review and approve mission assurance clearance documents
  • Communicate complex metric concepts, data analyses, and actionable insights to diverse stakeholders and executives
  • Coach and mentor SDMA systems engineers, fostering their career growth and strengthening SDMA’s technical bench

Qualifications

  • M.S. or higher degree in an Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field
  • At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in systems engineering, data analysis, performance tracking, or risk quantification for complex systems.
  • Demonstrated experience in defining, implementing, and managing quantitative metrics and data-driven approaches for the design and development of complex software or hardware systems
  • Proficiency in statistics and probability
  • Hands-on experience working with complex software systems, preferably in robotics, autonomous driving, or aerospace.
  • Collaborative team player with good written and in-person communication skills, capable of influencing, driving consensus, and presenting complex data to varied audiences including senior executives.

Bonus Qualifications

  • Ph.D. in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field
  • Systems engineering experience with large complex safety-critical systems
  • Metrics development experience
  • Experience in automotive industry 
  • Experience with autonomous driving or robotics
  • Familiarity with industry safety standards such as ISO 26262, ISO 21448, MIL-STD-882, etc.
About Zoox
Zoox is developing the first ground-up, fully autonomous vehicle fleet and the supporting ecosystem required to bring this technology to market. Sitting at the intersection of robotics, machine learning, and design, Zoox aims to provide the next generation of mobility-as-a-service in urban environments. We’re looking for top talent that shares our passion and wants to be part of a fast-moving and highly execution-oriented team.


Accommodations
If you need an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process please reach out to [email protected] or your assigned recruiter.

A Final Note:
You do not need to match every listed expectation to apply for this position. Here at Zoox, we know that diverse perspectives foster the innovation we need to be successful, and we are committed to building a team that encompasses a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and skills.

Compensation (from employer):
313000–376000 USD per year

About this role

Summary

Lead safety and fail-operational design and metrics for autonomous vehicle systems.

Job title

Principal Systems Engineer, Safety

Experience level

10+ years

Industry

automotive

Location requirements

Foster City, CA; remote not specified

Salary

313000–376000 USD per year

Visa sponsorship

H-1B sponsor history

Management role

No

Skills & keywords

Required skills

systems engineeringstatisticsprobabilitysoftware systemsrisk quantification

Preferred skills

autonomous drivingroboticsindustry safety standardsISO 26262ISO 21448

Specializations

safetyfail-operationalmetricsdata analysisautonomous systems
Locations

Structured locations inferred from the posting.

Foster City, CA, USA

Hybrid City
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