Staff Software Safety Engineer — Defense

Position Overview

Forterra, a leading provider of autonomous systems for ground-based movement, is seeking an experienced Safety Software Engineer to support the development of safety-critical software for defense and autonomous vehicle systems. In this role, you will spearhead the implementation of safety standards and structured safety processes, ensuring that unmanned and autonomous ground platforms meet rigorous defense and automotive safety requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation of safety-critical software standards across defense and autonomous vehicle programs.
• Develop and refine safety concepts for ground vehicle systems, including architecture, redundancy mechanisms, fault management, and verification activities.
• Conduct safety analyses such as FMEA, FHA, FTA, and DFA to evaluate system hazards.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams on validation and verification plans for unmanned and autonomous ground vehicles.
• Mentor engineers on safety software principles, tools, and best practices in both defense and autonomous domains.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
• 5+ years of experience in safety-critical software for defense or autonomous vehicle systems.
• Familiarity with standards such as DO-178C, MIL-STD-882E, IEC 61508, or ISO 26262.
• Experience with coding standards such as MISRA or SPARK Ada and safety analysis techniques (FMEA, FHA, FTA).
• Proficient with requirements management tools (DOORS, Polarion, Jama) and issue tracking systems (JIRA).
• Strong analytical skills in reliability, probability, and system safety modeling.
• Experience supporting software verification and validation for autonomous ground platforms and secure embedded systems.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Fluency in safety-relevant programming languages (C, C++, Ada) and familiarity with structured development methods such as Agile, V-Model, or MIL-STD/DoD processes.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certifications such as CSP, CRE, or Functional Safety Expert (FuSa/ISO 26262).
• Knowledge of autonomous vehicle perception, prediction, and control safety challenges.
• Understanding of secure-by-design principles and cyber-safety in defense and ground vehicle systems.
• Direct experience in unmanned or autonomous ground vehicles for defense applications.

Benefits & Perks

Compensation: $175,000 — $210,000 USD per year. The salary range is an estimate based on multiple factors such as work experience, education, training, and specialized expertise.

• Premium Healthcare Benefits with three plan options (including an HSA-eligible plan) with Forterra covering 80% of the premium for you and your dependents.
• Basic Life/AD&D and disability insurance plans fully covered by Forterra, with an option for additional coverage.
• An extremely generous company holiday calendar, including a winter break in December.
• Competitive paid time off (PTO) with 20 days accrued per year.
• A minimum of 7 weeks fully paid parental leave for birth/adoption.
• A $9k annual tuition reimbursement or professional development stipend.
• Fully stocked beverage refrigerators for your enjoyment.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with company match up to 4%, offering traditional, Roth, and after-tax deferral options.