Functional Safety Engineer
SynopsysJob Title
Functional Safety Engineer
Role Summary
Implement and maintain IP validation and functional safety processes for embedded software and FPGA-based IP validation within the Synopsys IP Validation team. Ensure compliance with ISO 9001/IATF 16949 and enable IP software drivers to meet ISO 26262 requirements up to ASIL D.
Experience Level
Mid-level; typically requires 3+ years of relevant experience (see Education Requirements for degree-plus-experience options).
Responsibilities
Primary responsibilities focus on process design, audits, safety documentation, and cross-team coordination to reduce defects and support safety-critical IP.
- Implement and maintain validation processes, workflows, templates, checklists, and quality gates for embedded software and FPGA-based IP validation.
- Deploy and continuously improve IP product development processes under ISO 9001:2015 and applicable IATF 16949 clauses.
- Conduct process audits and gap assessments; lead root-cause analysis and corrective actions using measurable KPIs.
- Develop and manage functional safety work products for automotive IP software drivers (Safety Goals, Item Definitions, Technical Safety Concepts, Safety Plans) aligned with ISO 26262 up to ASIL D.
- Review and approve architecture proposals, design verification plans, and safety validation strategies to meet functional and safety requirements.
- Coordinate with IP engineering teams, automotive customers, and product groups to align validation with quality and reliability targets.
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives (Lean, Six Sigma, or similar) to eliminate waste and reduce defect escape rates.
Requirements
Must-have technical and professional experience; education and formal safety training are summarized separately below.
- Proven experience implementing and auditing quality management systems (ISO 9001:2015, IATF 16949) and driving process improvements.
- Strong understanding of software and semiconductor development flows with background in hardware and software validation.
- Practical experience creating, managing, and reviewing functional safety artifacts and safety validation strategies in automotive contexts.
- Experience qualifying embedded software or hardware for safety-critical applications to ISO 26262 ASIL D.
- Experience conducting audits, gap analysis, root-cause analysis, and using KPIs to track and improve quality outcomes.
- Experience with FPGA-based prototyping, driver validation, or test automation is desirable.
- Nice-to-have: knowledge of IC design flows and protocols (MIPI, PCIe, UFS, HDMI, DisplayPort); familiarity with Lean or Six Sigma methodologies.
Education Requirements
Bachelor's degree in Industrial, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering with 5+ years relevant experience, or Master's degree with 3+ years relevant experience. Formal training in ISO 26262 (or equivalent practical experience and training) is expected for contributors working up to ASIL D. Equivalent practical experience may be considered where stated.
About the Company
Company: Synopsys
Headquarters: Mountain View, California, USA
Synopsys is a leading company in electronic design automation (EDA) and semiconductor IP solutions. It provides tools and services for designing and verifying complex semiconductor devices and systems. The company plays a pivotal role in the semiconductor industry, helping engineers innovate and deliver higher-quality products faster. Synopsys is committed to advancing technology standards and offers a range of software and hardware solutions to its clients globally.
