Staff Systems Engineer - Operational Readiness and Field Safety

Waabi is a technology company focused on Physical AI and autonomous transportation. The Staff Systems Engineer will lead field safety, operational readiness testing, incident response, safety monitoring, and operational protocol development for autonomous vehicle operations. The role will also analyze field events, support safety training, and engage with regulators and industry standards bodies.

Responsibilities:

• Lead Field Safety at Waabi by proactively establishing processes to escalate issues, reacting to any fleet issues in the field and owning Waabi's incident response
• Define and conduct operational readiness testing for Waabi's autonomous vehicle operations and create the necessary evidence in the readiness framework
• Work with operations and software teams to define protocols for nominal and off-nominal situations (e.g., severe weather response, sensor degradation, connectivity outages, and trip interruptions)
• Create processes for ongoing field safety monitoring and support the establishment of leading and lagging safety indicators and tooling needed
• Analyze operational trends and past field events to drive systemic safety enhancements across both development and operations
• Support the Operations team in developing and executing incident response training and operational preparedness activities
• Interface with regulatory bodies and contribute to industry standards discussions around AV operational safety validation approaches

Requirements:

• Undergrad in Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related technical field
• 7+ years of experience in safety-critical system development, validation, or operations
• Strong understanding of systems engineering principles including requirements decomposition, V&V processes, and hazard analysis techniques (HAZOP, FMEA, FTA, STPA, etc.)
• Familiarity with relevant safety standards (ISO 26262, ISO 21448/SOTIF, UL 4600)
• Experience monitoring safety metrics and designing/executing test plans for complex autonomous or robotic systems
• Excellent technical communication skills with ability to present complex safety arguments to diverse stakeholders
• Strong project management skills and ability to coordinate across multiple technical teams
• Track record of driving high-stakes engineering decisions with incomplete information
• advanced degree preferred
• Direct experience with autonomous vehicle safety validation or deployment
• Previous work in trucking, logistics, or commercial vehicle operations
• Experience with operational safety management systems
• Knowledge of regulatory frameworks for autonomous vehicles (FMVSS, SAE standards, state/provincial regulations)