At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead safety engineering for autonomous driving systems, ensuring compliance and safety integrity.
- Company: Join Bolt, a fast-growing tech company transforming urban mobility across Europe and Africa.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, stock options, hybrid work, and wellness perks for your health.
- Other info: Collaborate with top talent in a dynamic environment focused on innovation and growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of mobility and impact millions in over 600 cities worldwide.
- Qualifications: 10-12+ years in safety-critical engineering with expertise in functional safety and cybersecurity.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
We are looking for a Principal Safety Engineer to join our Autonomous Driving team in Europe. You will play a critical role in ensuring the safety integrity of our Level 4 automated driving systems, working across the full stack - from system architecture to regulatory approval - to bring safe autonomous mobility to real-world deployment.
About Us
With over 200 million customers in 50+ countries, Bolt is one of the fastest-growing tech companies in Europe and Africa. We believe in creating an inclusive environment where everyone is welcome, regardless of race, colour, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, or disability. Our ultimate goal is to make cities for people, not cars, and we need your help to achieve this mission!
About The Role
As a Principal Safety Engineer, you will be the technical authority for safety across our Autonomous Product. You will own the end‑to‑end safety case - from hazard identification and system design through to regulatory approval - ensuring our systems meet the highest standards of functional safety, SOTIF, and cybersecurity. You will shape how safety is embedded across the organisation, influencing system architecture, engineering practices, and decision‑making at every level. You will work closely with engineering, product, and regulatory stakeholders to define what “safe enough” means - and ensure it is rigorously achieved and demonstrated.
Main tasks and responsibilities:
- Own and maintain the system‑level safety case for the ADS, covering ISO 26262, ISO 21448 (SOTIF), ISO/SAE 21434 and more.
- Lead hazard analysis (HARA), ODD definition, and safety architecture across different products.
- Define and drive verification and validation strategies for different deployments.
- Establish and govern safety processes, including safety reviews, KPIs, and release approvals to fleet.
- Ensure compliance with regulatory frameworks (e.g. UN WP.29, EU AV legislation) and support type approval readiness.
- Collaborate across teams to embed safety principles into system design, development, and deployment.
Experience with ML safety, explainability, or perception system robustness is nice to have.
About you
Extensive experience (10-12+ years) in automotive, robotics, or aerospace systems engineering, including leadership in safety‑critical domains. Strong expertise in functional safety (ISO 26262), SOTIF (ISO 21448), and automotive cybersecurity (ISO/SAE 21434). Proven track record delivering safety cases and supporting certification or type approval for complex systems. Deep understanding of autonomous driving system architecture (perception, sensor fusion, planning, control). Proven record or familiarity with Safety conformity of end to end based Autonomous drive, e.g. ISO/PAS 8800. Familiarity with tools such as DOORS, Polarion, Codebeamer, or similar requirements and safety tooling.
Experience is great, but what we really look for is drive, intelligence, and integrity. So even if you don’t tick every box, please consider applying if you feel you’re the kind of person described above!
Why you’ll love it here:
- Play a direct role in shaping the future of mobility.
- Impact millions of customers and partners in 600+ cities across 50+ countries.
- Work in fast‑moving autonomous teams with some of the smartest people in the world.
- Accelerate your professional growth with unique career opportunities.
- Get a rewarding salary and stock option package that lets you focus on doing your best work.
- Enjoy the flexibility of working in a hybrid mode with a minimum of 2 days in the office each week to foster strong connections and teamwork.
- Take care of your physical and mental health with our wellness perks. Some perks may differ depending on your location and role.
Principal Safety Engineer employer: Bolt
At Bolt, we pride ourselves on being a leading tech company that values inclusivity and innovation. As a Principal Safety Engineer in our Autonomous Driving team, you will not only contribute to the future of mobility but also enjoy a dynamic work culture that fosters professional growth and collaboration. With competitive salaries, stock options, and wellness perks, we ensure our employees are well-supported while making a meaningful impact across 600+ cities worldwide.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Safety Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with current employees at Bolt. A personal introduction can make all the difference when it comes to landing that Principal Safety Engineer role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into the specifics of safety standards like ISO 26262 and SOTIF. Show us you know your stuff and can discuss how you’d tackle real-world challenges in autonomous driving systems.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just focus on your technical skills; highlight your leadership experience too! We want to see how you’ve influenced safety practices and decision-making in previous roles. Share those stories!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our mission to make cities safer and more inclusive.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Safety Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Principal Safety Engineer role. Highlight your experience in functional safety, SOTIF, and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how your skills align with our mission!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about autonomous driving and how your background makes you a perfect fit for our team. Let us know what drives you!
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples of how you've contributed to safety cases or regulatory approvals in past roles. We love seeing results!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s super easy, and we can’t wait to see your application come through. Let’s make cities safer together!
How to prepare for a job interview at Bolt
✨Know Your Safety Standards
Make sure you’re well-versed in ISO 26262, SOTIF, and ISO/SAE 21434. Brush up on how these standards apply to autonomous driving systems, as you’ll need to demonstrate your expertise in functional safety during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles that highlight your experience in safety-critical domains. Discuss your involvement in hazard analysis, safety case development, and any regulatory approvals you've supported to show you can handle the responsibilities of the role.
✨Understand the Company’s Mission
Familiarise yourself with Bolt's mission to make cities for people, not cars. Be ready to discuss how your role as a Principal Safety Engineer aligns with this vision and how you can contribute to safe autonomous mobility.
✨Collaborate and Communicate
Since the role involves working closely with various teams, be prepared to talk about your collaboration skills. Share examples of how you’ve successfully influenced system architecture and decision-making in previous projects, showcasing your ability to work across different stakeholders.
