Before the detail, here's the challenge you'd help us solve.
We build the embodied intelligence that moves real vehicles safely, and the ecosystem a billion machines will run on in the future. Very few people in AI can say this. Every role here, whatever the team, plugs into that.
Here's what this particular role covers.
About our Operational Safety Team
The Operational Safety Team ensures on-road testing and robotaxi operations are conducted to the highest standards of safety and compliance within the US regulatory landscape. This independent function provides proactive oversight to identify emerging risks, assure safe execution of deployments, and serve as a check and balance across engineering, fleet operations, and global safety initiatives. We work collaboratively to maintain Wayve's reputation as a leader in autonomous vehicle safety and to champion a strong, company-wide safety culture.
Your day-to-day
- Monitor daily safety performance across fleet operations, R&D testing, and deployments
- Track and analyze safety performance indicators, trends, and anomalies, using findings to influence operational controls and risk mitigation
- Lead and support investigations into on-road incidents and near-misses, preparing structured root cause analysis reports and summarizing findings for cross-functional stakeholders
- Prepare and document actionable investigation analyses, ensuring corrective actions are integrated into engineering, operations, and risk management processes
- Support regulatory and partner reporting requirements as needed
- Carry out hazard identification and risk assessment activities in support of on-road operations
- Maintain and update operational risk registers; support and monitor the effectiveness of risk controls
- Work closely with engineers, operators, and global safety teams to ensure best practices and knowledge sharing
- Develop and deliver safety training programs, risk assessments, and promote a proactive safety mindset throughout the organization
- Advocate for strong safety outcomes and continuous improvement in all operational activities
What you'll be working on
- Ensuring the validity of Wayve's safety case through performance monitoring and risk analysis
- Leading and documenting incident investigations, including root cause analysis and corrective actions
- Supporting compliance with US regulatory frameworks (e.g., CA DMV, NHTSA) related to autonomous vehicle operations
- Developing operational safety processes and training to support a rapidly scaling fleet in a fast-paced environment
- Continuously improving the safety culture across field and engineering teams
You should apply if
- You have 5+ years experience investigating incidents in a fast-paced, safety-critical environment
- You have experience in operational safety, risk monitoring, or safety assurance in a fleet, logistics, field engineering, or operational environment
- You have a strong analytical mindset with the ability to interpret data, identify patterns, derive insights, and present findings to technical and management audiences
- You can operate independently and make sound safety judgments
- You have a good understanding of industry standards/guidelines relevant to AV, automotive, or similar domains
- You have experience with human factors: workload, attention, driver/operator interaction risks
- You can develop and implement effective safety processes and procedures
Nice to have:
- Experience with autonomous vehicle or ADAS testing and development
- Background in automotive, aviation, defense, or manufacturing safety management systems
- Understanding of US autonomous vehicle regulations (e.g., CA DMV, NHTSA)
- Familiarity with automotive systems, electronics, and related safety implications
- Experience supporting robotaxi or ride-hail operations
Not ticking every box? That's totally okay! If you're passionate about autonomy and keen to learn, we encourage you to apply even if you don't meet every requirement.
How we work - Locations & Flexible Working:
Our main hubs are in London, Sunnyvale, Yokohama, Herzliya, Vancouver and Leonberg. We operate a hybrid working model that combines in-person collaboration in our dedicated office spaces with focused time working remotely. This gives our teams the connection and energy of working together, alongside the flexibility to do their best work in a way that fits their lives.
The Interview Process:
Our process is clear and respectful of your time:
Initial call / recruiter screen (30 mins)
Competency Interviews (safety management and hiring manager interview; 2 hours total)
Deep-dive technical interviews (incident response and domain-specific interviews; 2 hours total)
Final interview: mission & values alignment (1 hour)
We'll always explain the format and work around your availability.
What's in it for you (Location dependant):
Estimated salary range: $100,000 to $120,000 (Detroit, MI, hybrid), plus a competitive equity package. Actual compensation is based on your skills, qualifications and experience.
Meaningful equity, sharing in the ownership and long-term success of Wayve
• Hybrid working, core hours and the chance to work hands on in vehicle workshops and labs
Learning and development budgets with support for training, conferences and growth
Comprehensive benefits including health insurance, dental, enhanced maternity and paternity leave, retirement or pension where applicable, access to therapists, wellbeing partnerships, team socials and more
A quick, honest note before you apply.
Wayve is not a mature, fully-structured place with the playbook already written. Much of how we work is still being written, and if you join, you'll help write it. That suits people who want real ownership more than people who need a settled structure from day one.
If that sounds like the kind of problem you want to spend your time on, we'd really like to hear from you.
