Operational Safety Specialist

Operate at the forefront of vehicle safety and innovation as an Operational Safety Specialist, supporting cutting-edge autonomous and advanced vehicle systems. In this strategic contract role, you'll be integral to developing, implementing, and auditing safety standards that ensure seamless, compliant, and risk-aware operations across global testing and engineering initiatives. Join a collaborative team dedicated to shaping the future of mobility through meticulous safety management, cross-functional alignment, and continuous process improvement.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design, refine, and uphold comprehensive safety standards tailored to autonomous vehicle platforms.
• Collaborate with engineering and technical teams to translate safety policies into actionable SOPs and deliver targeted training to ensure compliance.
• Lead audits and gap analyses, documenting findings, managing corrective actions, and fostering a culture of safety excellence.
• Assess operational hazards, conduct risk evaluations, and implement improvements based on lessons learned to mitigate potential issues proactively.
• Track multiple safety initiatives, establish enforcement timelines, and monitor adherence across departments.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated expertise in operational safety standards, Safety Management Systems (SMS), risk analysis, and incident prevention within complex technical or automotive environments.
• Hands-on knowledge of vehicle testing, autonomous/advanced vehicle systems, and software development lifecycles.
• Proven experience in planning and executing safety audits, generating detailed reports, and closing corrective actions effectively.
• Ability to craft clear, actionable safety policies, SOPs, and operational documentation for technical audiences.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to build consensus across diverse teams.
• Flexibility to meet a mandatory 3-day on-site requirement at Palo Alto, CA or Ann Arbor, MI.

Nice to Have Skills:

• Familiarity with vehicle cybersecurity, legal compliance, or regulatory frameworks related to autonomous vehicles.
• Prior experience in international safety standards or working with global automotive safety teams.
• Knowledge of project management tools or process improvement methodologies such as Lean or Six Sigma.

Preferred Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Safety Management, or a related technical field; advanced degrees are a plus.
• Minimum of 3-5 years in vehicle safety, autonomous systems, or automotive testing environments, with proven success in audit and CAPA processes.

Other Requirements:

• This is a hybrid role with an active 3-day on-site presence required at the Palo Alto, CA or Ann Arbor, MI facility.
• Candidates must be fully aware and acknowledge the contingent worker/contractor status via DeWinter Technology, with no direct employment relationship with Woven by Toyota.

Candidates with a passion for safety, autonomous vehicle systems, and process excellence—ready to make a tangible impact on the future of mobility—are encouraged to bring their expertise to this dynamic environment.