Staff System Safety Engineer, Autonomy

DiDi LabsSan Jose, California

$178,286 - $296,400 / year

Apply with Sonara

Automate your job search with Sonara.

Submit 10x as many applications with less effort than one manual application.¹

Reclaim your time by letting our AI handle the grunt work of job searching.

We continuously scan millions of openings to find your top matches.

Overview

Schedule

Full-time

Career level

Senior-level

Remote

On-site

Compensation

$178,286-$296,400/year

Benefits

Paid Vacation

Job Description

About The Company

DiDi's autonomous driving unit was established in 2016 with the mission of developing Level 4 autonomous driving (AD) technology to make transportation safer and more efficient. In August 2019, the unit became an independent company, DiDi Autonomous Driving, dedicated to advanced AD R&D, product application, and business expansion. We believe integrating AD technology into a shared-mobility fleet will generate immense social value. By leveraging DiDi's specialized technology, operational expertise, and integrated ecosystem, we are positioned to build and operate a highly efficient, user-oriented autonomous fleet.

About The Role

We are seeking an experienced and mission-driven Staff System Safety Engineer, Autonomy to lead the safety strategy and deployment readiness of our fully autonomous driving systems. In this role, you will define and implement the safety frameworks, release policies, and system-level engineering processes that enable safe and scalable unmanned operations. You will act as a technical leader in system safety, ensuring that our vehicles meet rigorous safety standards while advancing toward large-scale commercial deployment.

Responsibilities

Own the safety evaluation and release strategy for unmanned autonomous driving operations, defining clear criteria for system release, degradation, and fallback under varying operating conditions.
Design, implement, and champion the safety-related systems engineering framework, including safety requirements, system architecture, and Verification & Validation (V&V) plans.
Conduct systematic assessments of unmanned operational workflows, emergency protocols, and supporting tools/platforms to ensure safety and operational completeness.
Develop and institutionalize safety evaluation methodologies and metrics frameworks, translating safety goals into quantifiable, verifiable, and continuously tracked indicators.
Serve as the technical lead for safety-related incident review and analysis during unmanned operations, driving continuous improvements in system design, test coverage, and operational procedures.
Collaborate cross-functionally with Software, Product, Operations, and Safety teams to support leadership decisions regarding unmanned deployment, city expansion, and operational scaling.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s or higher degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a closely related technical field.
5+ years of industry experience in systems engineering, safety engineering, autonomous systems, or a directly related field.
Strong systems thinking with the ability to decompose complex safety challenges and drive practical, scalable solutions.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate across teams, influence stakeholders, and take ownership of safety outcomes.
Experience working in a fast-paced environment with multiple parallel projects and ambiguous requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

Professional experience in safety-critical autonomous vehicle deployment or large-scale robotic systems operations.
Background in functional safety (ISO 26262, SOTIF) or safety assurance of unmanned systems.
Hands-on experience with safety validation tools, simulation-based V&V, or operational safety monitoring platforms.
Proven track record of defining release policies or safety readiness criteria for real-world autonomous systems.

The base salary range for this full-time position is $178,286-296,400 annually in addition to bonus, equity and benefits. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

I acknowledge that prior to submitting this application, I have read and accepted the Privacy Notice for California Residents which is available on https://v.didi.cn/AQnxlBa

Automate your job search with Sonara.

Submit 10x as many applications with less effort than one manual application.

Apply with Sonara Apply manually

FAQs About Staff System Safety Engineer, Autonomy Jobs at DiDi Labs

What is the work location for this position at DiDi Labs?

This job at DiDi Labs is located in San Jose, California, according to the details provided by the employer. Some roles may also include multiple work locations depending on the requirement.

What pay range can candidates expect for this role at DiDi Labs?

Candidates can expect a pay range of $178,286 and $296,400 per year.

What employment applies to this position at DiDi Labs?

DiDi Labs lists this role as a Full-time position.

What experience level is required for this role at DiDi Labs?

DiDi Labs is looking for a candidate with "Senior-level" experience level.

What benefits are offered by DiDi Labs for this role?

DiDi Labs offers Paid Vacation for this position. Actual benefits may vary depending on the employer's policies and employment terms.

What is the process to apply for this position at DiDi Labs?

You can apply for this role at DiDi Labs either through Sonara's automated application system, which helps you submit applications 10X faster with minimal effort, or by applying manually using the direct link on the job page.