Role OverviewVelaura is designing the compute silicon that powers robots, autonomous systems, and intelligent machines that operate in the physical world-where a fault in the chip can translate directly into unsafe behavior. As the Functional Safety Architect for our Physical AI System-on-Chip (SoC), you will own the functional safety architecture of our silicon: defining how our chips detect, contain, and respond to faults so that the systems they drive remain safe.
This is a foundational, cross-cutting role spanning silicon, firmware, platform software, and product teams. You will establish Velaura's functional safety strategy and lifecycle from the earliest architecture phase through tape-out, qualification, and production, making the case, in hardware and in evidence, that Velaura silicon can be trusted in safety-critical Physical AI applications.
Responsibilities- Own the SoC functional safety architecture: define safety goals, safety mechanisms, and the hardware/software fault-handling strategy across Velaura's Physical AI silicon roadmap.
- Lead safety analyses-hazard analysis and risk assessment, DFMEA, FMEDA, FTA, and dependent-failure/common-cause analysis-and derive the quantitative safety metrics required by the target standard (SPFM, LFM, and PMHF for ISO 26262 ASIL; SFF, diagnostic coverage, HFT, and PFH/PFD for IEC 61508 SIL), including diagnostic-coverage targets for the SoC and its subsystems.
- Define safety mechanisms for compute, AI/NPU, memory, and interconnect including error detection and correction, lockstep, BIST, and safe-state handling, and specify the assumptions of use for the safety element out of context (SEooC).
- Partner with silicon design, firmware, safety, and platform software teams to embed safety requirements into the RTL, boot flow, and SDK, and to review implementations against the safety concept.
- Own the safety case and work products across the safety lifecycle, coordinating with assessors and customers to support certification and audits.
- Establish functional safety processes, standards, and design practices; mentor engineers and raise the safety-engineering bar across the organization.
- Manage the interface between functional safety and adjacent disciplines-cybersecurity, reliability, and SOTIF-so that safety concerns are addressed holistically.
Required Qualifications- 10+ years in functional safety or safety-critical hardware engineering, with significant experience taking silicon or embedded platforms through a full safety lifecycle.
- Deep expertise with functional safety standards across frameworks-ISO 26262 (including part 11 for semiconductors) up to ASIL D and IEC 61508 up to SIL 3-and their application to SoC development, including the architectural constraints, hardware metrics, and systematic-capability requirements each imposes.
- Hands-on experience leading safety analyses (HARA, FMEA/FMEDA, FTA, DFA) and computing hardware architectural metrics (SPFM, LFM, PMHF).
- Strong command of hardware safety mechanisms-ECC, lockstep, BIST, redundancy, and safe-state design-and of the interface between RTL/silicon design, firmware, and low-level platform software.
- Proven ability to build and defend a safety case and to drive safety requirements across multi-disciplinary teams from architecture through production.
- Bachelor's or advanced degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a track record of influencing technical direction and mentoring engineers.
Preferred Qualifications- Experience with functional safety for AI/ML accelerators or NPUs, and with SOTIF (ISO 21448) for autonomous and perception systems.
- Familiarity with robotics, automotive, industrial, or other safety-critical domains, and with adjacent standards such as ISO/SAE 21434 (cybersecurity) or IEC 61508 derivatives.
- Certification such as a recognized Functional Safety Engineer credential, and experience interfacing directly with certification bodies or assessors.
- Prior experience at an early-stage or high-growth semiconductor or hardware company, building safety functions and processes from the ground up.
- Master's or Ph.D in Electrical/Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
$200,000 - $500,000 a year
Compensation & BenefitsAt Velaura, we believe exceptional talent deserves exceptional rewards. Compensation for this role includes a competitive base salary, performance-based incentives, and equity participation, allowing team members to share in the company's long-term success.
Your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
In addition to compensation, Velaura offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include medical, dental, and vision coverage; paid time off; flexible work arrangements; professional development opportunities; and other benefits designed to support the well-being and growth of our team.
Velaura is committed to pay equity and transparency and regularly benchmarks compensation to ensure we remain competitive in the market.
