Functional Safety Engineer

Job Title: Functional Safety Engineer

Job Description

The Functional Safety Engineer ensures that safety control systems and related electrical and automation designs comply with applicable functional safety standards and regulations. This role audits, designs, and validates Safety Control Systems, leads cross-functional collaboration, and manages third-party validation partners to achieve targeted safety performance levels. The engineer provides hands-on technical support, develops project plans and schedules, and drives continuous improvement in safety PLC logic, safety circuitry, and risk reduction measures across industrial and automation environments.

Responsibilities

• Develop detailed project plans and schedules for functional safety activities, including deliverables, milestones, concerns, and key performance indicators.
• Audit Safety Control Systems (SCS) for compliance with ISO standards, ANSI B11, and relevant occupational safety regulations.
• Identify and document non-conformities within SCS designs, electrical schematics, and safety PLC implementations.
• Design and verify technical countermeasures to achieve target control categories and performance levels for safety-related systems.
• Audit SCS design modifications and safety PLC changes to ensure correlation with intended design and compliance requirements.
• Manage and coordinate a third-party consultant group by defining milestones, monitoring concerns, and tracking key performance indicators.
• Lead cross-functional communication and collaboration to ensure timely issue resolution and alignment on safety requirements.
• Provide clear written and verbal project status reports to management and stakeholders, highlighting progress, risks, and countermeasures.
• Review Safety PLC programs and electrical schematics to ensure compliance with applicable safety and regulatory standards.
• Work closely with external validation vendors to verify their work products and keep third-party validation companies accountable from a technical perspective.
• Set and implement countermeasures to resolve identified safety issues and non-conformities, including spot auditing and follow-up verification.
• Predominantly review, modify, and redo Safety PLC logic and safety circuitry to meet functional safety requirements.
• Support the Control Reliability team through mentorship, technical coaching, and knowledge sharing on functional safety best practices.
• Perform hands-on troubleshooting, commissioning, and implementation of safety-related control systems as needed.
• Use risk assessment tools and methodologies, including FMEA and FMEDA, to evaluate and mitigate functional safety risks.
• Configure and integrate Safety PLC platforms and communication protocols for industrial and automation systems.
• Prepare and deliver technical presentations and documentation using Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint to communicate analyses and recommendations.
• Support operations during scheduled shutdowns, including July and December, to implement and validate safety-related changes.
• Be available to support weekends, off-shifts, and holidays as required by project and operational needs.
• Demonstrate a positive, team-oriented attitude and contribute to cross-functional success in a fast-paced industrial environment.

Essential Skills

• 5 years of experience in functional safety engineering within industrial or automation sectors, with a preference for 7–10 years of experience.
• Technical Associate’s Degree or higher in a related discipline such as electrical, automation, or industrial engineering.
• Functional Safety Certification, such as TÜV Functional Safety Engineer, Functional Safety Expert, or equivalent.
• In-depth knowledge of ISO 13849-1, ANSI B11, and other relevant functional safety and machinery safety standards.
• Demonstrated technical problem-solving skills with proven experience implementing effective countermeasures.
• Safety PLC programming experience, including the ability to read, interpret, modify, and configure safety logic.
• Experience with PLC and Safety PLC communication protocols and system integration in industrial automation environments.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint for data analysis, reporting, and technical presentations.
• Experience using risk assessment tools and methodologies, including FMEA and FMEDA.
• Proficiency with one or more Safety PLC platforms, such as Allen-Bradley GuardLogix, Omron Sysmac (Safety), Keyence GC Configurator, Toyopuc PCWin Safe, or Siemens TIA Portal / Step 7.
• Ability to support weekends, off-shifts, and holidays as required by project schedules.
• Capability to work during scheduled plant shutdowns, including July and December periods.
• Ability to navigate large industrial facilities, including standing, walking, climbing stairs, bending, and kneeling as needed.
• Ability to safely lift, push, or pull up to 25 pounds.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to provide clear written and verbal status reports and technical explanations.
• Positive, team-oriented attitude with the ability to collaborate effectively across disciplines.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Functional Safety Expert (FSE) certification or similar advanced functional safety credential.
• Background in electrical, industrial, or automation engineering with emphasis on safety systems.
• Hands-on experience troubleshooting and commissioning safety-related control systems in manufacturing or industrial environments.
• Experience mentoring and coaching engineers or technicians in functional safety concepts and practices.
• Familiarity with auditing processes for Safety Control Systems and safety PLC logic in line with regulatory and corporate standards.
• Experience working with third-party validation or certification companies and managing their technical deliverables.
• Comfort working in long-term, project-based environments with multi-year planning horizons.
• Ability to adapt to evolving project requirements and manage multiple priorities simultaneously.

Work Environment

The role is based in a large industrial and automation environment with significant exposure to manufacturing equipment, Safety Control Systems, and safety PLC platforms such as Allen-Bradley GuardLogix, Omron Sysmac (Safety), Keyence GC Configurator, Toyopuc PCWin Safe, and Siemens TIA Portal / Step 7. The position typically involves approximately 30% overtime, with about 10% domestic travel and occasional international travel, which may include trips to Japan. Work schedules can include weekends, off-shifts, holidays, and scheduled shutdown periods in July and December, depending on project needs. The physical environment requires regular standing, walking, climbing stairs, bending, kneeling, and the ability to safely lift, push, or pull up to 25 pounds while navigating large facilities. The organization supports flexible scheduling and work-life balance where possible, and offers long-term, stable contract opportunities with multi-year project planning and strong continuity even during challenging economic conditions. Team members benefit from paid time off, paid holidays, and overtime compensation for hours worked over 40 per week, as well as coordinated travel support for project assignments. The culture emphasizes collaboration, continuous learning, and strong relationships with support teams and vendor management partners, creating an environment where engineers can broaden their skills and grow their careers.

This is a Contract position based out of Liberty, NC.

The pay range for this position is $85.00 - $100.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Liberty,NC.

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 24, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.

Salary : $85 - $100