Senior Manager Functional Safety Complex Systems, ADAS, AD (f/m/d)

TÜV Rheinland GroupKölnstepstonepublished 10/27/2026
Must-have:AISecuritySenior

About the company

We share our enthusiasm for pioneering solutions with more than 28,000 people in 69 countries. With TÜV Rheinland you can contribute your knowledge independently and continue to develop yourself on a personal level. Our team of highly qualified experts takes responsibility in a wide range of challenges in order to enrich life with valuable services. We all love what we do. If you also would like to provide your talents in a meaningful manner, join us at TÜV Rheinland. Let's take up a wealth of opportunities and set ourselves new goals - together!

Your tasks

  • Plan, coordinate and conduct Functional Safety audits, assessments and technical reviews, including the evaluation of ISO 26262 work products from item definition and HARA through safety concepts, verification, validation and safety case documentation.
  • Create audit plans, assessment concepts, reports, findings, recommendations and certification-relevant documentation.
  • Review SOTIF work products and assess evidence for complex data-driven systems, covering functional insufficiencies, triggering conditions, ODD, intended use, foreseeable misuse, data representativeness, scenario coverage, monitoring, fallback and residual-risk arguments.
  • Develop assessment and evidence concepts for AI-driven systems where deterministic assurance is insufficient; support Type Approval and homologation by translating Functional Safety, SOTIF, AI and regulatory requirements—e.g., UN R171/DCAS—into practical guidance.
  • Deliver consultancy and support business acquisition through customer workshops, pre-sales, technical interviews, bid support, gap analyses, document reviews, pre-assessments and project reviews; contribute to service development for automated driving and AI-enabled vehicle systems.
  • Coordinate international projects and harmonise technical delivery across regions and business units globally; connect Functional Safety, SOTIF, AI, cybersecurity, testing, certification and Type Approval at subject and team level while strengthening internal capabilities through guidance, training and knowledge sharing.

Requirements

  • Senior automotive safety expert with hands-on experience in safety-critical E/E systems, embedded software, ADAS/AD, simulation-based verification, validation and testing, complemented by a background in software development, systems engineering, architecture and technical project delivery
  • Extensive Functional Safety expertise under ISO 26262/8800, including safety lifecycle, HARA, ASIL, ASPICE, safety concepts, safety analyses and safety case documentation; experienced with FMEA, FMEDA, FTA, DFA, STPA and comparable methods
  • Sound knowledge of SOTIF according to ISO 21448 and its interaction with Functional Safety for perception-based and data-driven functions; familiarity with Type Approval, homologation, software update management and automotive cybersecurity is beneficial
  • Strong understanding of automotive AI and machine-learning applications, including perception, sensor fusion, prediction, planning, decision-making, monitoring and fallback; able to assess systems with limited explainability and incomplete scenario coverage
  • Broad knowledge of automotive development processes, including requirements engineering, configuration and change management, validation planning, tool qualification and evidence management; experienced in audits, assessments, confirmation reviews and independent technical evaluations
  • Consulting, pre-sales, business acquisition and bid-process experience, combined with strong analytical judgement, a structured auditor mindset, customer orientation and excellent communication skills; fluent in German and English, with willingness to travel internationally

What we offer

  • Development opportunities: From coaching and mentoring programs to the "Women´s Network".
  • Employee meetings: Regular conversations.
  • Employee insurance: Accident insurance, occupational disability insurance, affordable insurance.
  • Health & Sport: Wide range of health and sports activities.
  • Employee discounts: Discounts for employees, e.g. at the gym or for buying a car.