Functional Safety Engineer, Energy Storage

About the role

Redwood Materials is dedicated to building a sustainable and efficient battery supply chain by recycling and reusing materials. Our mission is to reduce the environmental impact of battery production and create innovative solutions for energy storage. We are seeking a highly skilled Functional Safety Engineer to join our team and ensure that our energy storage systems meet all relevant safety standards and regulations. This role involves working closely with engineering, certification bodies, and product development teams to embed safety principles into our products from design through certification. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in safety-critical systems, embedded software, and compliance processes, with a passion for advancing sustainable energy technologies.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Lead the development and implementation of safety strategies for energy storage systems, ensuring compliance with industry standards such as UL 1998, UL 991, and UL 5500. Support the certification process by preparing documentation, conducting safety analyses, and liaising with certification organizations.
• Apply safety principles to both hardware and software components of energy storage solutions. Develop and maintain safety documentation including FMEAs, hazard analyses, safety cases, and risk assessments. Ensure these documents are aligned with industry standards and best practices.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to incorporate safety requirements into product design and development processes. Provide guidance on safety practices during hardware and firmware development to ensure safety features are integrated effectively.
• Work with certification bodies and third-party testing organizations to facilitate compliance testing, audits, and approvals. Track certification progress and address any safety-related issues that arise during testing phases.
• Interpret complex safety standards and regulations, translating them into clear technical requirements for engineering teams. Conduct training sessions or workshops to educate team members on safety standards and compliance procedures.
• Develop hazard mitigation strategies, validation plans, and safety testing protocols. Support verification and validation activities to confirm that safety features perform as intended under various conditions.
• Support incident investigations and root cause analyses related to safety concerns. Provide technical expertise to resolve safety issues and implement corrective actions.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of evolving safety standards, regulations, and best practices within the energy storage and battery industries. Participate in industry groups and safety standard development efforts when applicable.
• Work closely with manufacturing, quality assurance, and product teams to improve safety processes and ensure ongoing compliance throughout the product lifecycle.
• Document safety processes, procedures, and compliance activities thoroughly to support audits and certifications. Communicate safety-related information effectively across teams and stakeholders.
• Assist in the development of safety-related training materials and ensure team members are aware of safety requirements and procedures.
• Contribute to the company's mission of sustainability by ensuring that safety considerations are integrated into innovative energy storage solutions that help reduce environmental impact.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Practical experience in embedded software development, especially in safety-critical or regulated environments.
• Strong knowledge of microcontroller-based systems, including low-level software or firmware development.
• Proficiency in C programming for real-time embedded systems.
• Deep understanding of safety standards such as UL 1998, UL 991, and UL 5500.
• Familiarity with international functional safety standards like IEC 61508, IEC/UL 60730, ISO 26262, or ISO 13849 is preferred.
• Experience working with energy storage systems, power electronics, or related safety-critical systems.
• Proven ability to develop and implement hazard analyses, safety cases, and risk assessments.
• Experience managing compliance processes with third-party certification organizations, including preparing documentation and addressing safety issues.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Excellent communication skills, capable of explaining complex safety concepts to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Knowledge of safety testing procedures, validation, and verification processes.
• Commitment to continuous learning and staying current with evolving safety standards and industry best practices.

Nice to have

• A passion for sustainability and contributing to solutions that improve the environment.
• Experience with safety-critical software development practices and tools.
• Familiarity with relevant industry groups, safety standards development, or participation in safety committees.
• Prior experience working in a fast-paced, innovative environment focused on energy storage or battery technology.

Skills & tools

• Expertise in functional safety methodologies and compliance processes.
• Experience with hazard analysis, FMEA, safety case development, and risk management.
• Knowledge of safety-critical software development practices, including verification and validation.
• Familiarity with safety standards such as UL 1998, UL 991, UL 5500, IEC 61508, IEC/UL 60730, ISO 26262, and ISO 13849.
• Ability to interpret and apply safety standards in practical engineering contexts.
• Strong documentation skills for safety processes, procedures, and compliance records.

Practical notes

• This position is eligible for visa sponsorship.
• Redwood Materials offers a competitive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plans, and other perks.
• The role is based on-site in San Francisco, California, and requires working at the company's office location.
• Candidates should be prepared to participate in safety training and certification activities as part of their responsibilities.
• Please submit your application through the designated channels before the deadline.
• The salary range for this role is $153,000 to $248,500 USD, depending on experience and qualifications.
• The role is full-time, and compensation will be commensurate with your background and expertise.
• We collect and process personal information during the application process, including identifiers and professional data, for employment purposes. For privacy inquiries, contact privacy@redwoodmaterials.com.

About the company

Based in Carson City, Nevada, Redwood Materials focuses on reclaiming lithium-ion batteries and creating feedstock for electric vehicles and storage. Established in 2017 by J. B. Straubel, the company channels recovered materials back into manufacturing. As of October 2025, financial estimates valued Redwood Materials at roughly $6 billion. Operations support electromobility and grid applications by processing used batteries into essential raw components for energy systems.