Principal Safety Engineer (Robotics)

Location: San Carlos, California, United States; on-site

Salary: $250K–$350K annually, plus equity

Company

hirify.global develops humanoid robots designed to perform household tasks and operate safely alongside people in real-world environments.

What you will do

• Identify hazards unique to humanoid robots and their operational design domains using first-principles reasoning.
• Develop risk-elimination and mitigation strategies across hardware, controls, software, and AI behavior.
• Design safer architectures, control systems, robot behaviors, and validation strategies.
• Define engineering principles for safe humanoid robot design and deployment at scale.
• Influence technical decisions across Hardware, Software, AI, Controls, Test, Reliability, and Systems Engineering.

Requirements

• Deep experience in robotics safety and AI-enabled robotic systems.
• Strong background in robot design, system architecture, controls, actuation, sensing, and complex electromechanical behavior.
• Demonstrated safety innovation involving novel technical solutions to meaningful robot hazards.
• Experience designing safety cases, safety validation strategies, and safety test plans for complex robotic or autonomous systems.
• Experience applying functional safety methods to reduce product-specific risks rather than focusing only on compliance.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with technical and executive audiences, plus the ability to drive direction across multidisciplinary teams.

Nice to have

• Experience with humanoid robots, mobile robots, or systems operating close to people.
• Experience developing safety architectures spanning hardware, controls, software, and AI behavior.
• Familiarity with robotics, machinery, functional safety, or autonomous-system standards and their limitations.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary safety test programs for complex physical systems.
• Experience taking safety-critical systems into consumer or in-home environments.

Culture & Benefits

• Builder-oriented environment with fast execution, ownership, honesty, and respect.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Paid time off, company holidays, and parental leave.
• 401(k) plan with company match, plus FSA and HSA options.
• Commuter benefits, disability and life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program.
• On-site snacks and catered lunches.