Senior Safety Compliance Engineer

SENIOR SAFETY COMPLIANCE ENGINEER

ABOUT 1X

We’re building humanoid robots that work in any space humans exist with the mission to create an abundance of labor. Simple, but it’s not.

To do this right, we have to solve robotics, AI, software, hardware, manufacturing and operations at the same time, at scale, in a form factor that has to be safe. If you’re inspired by this, you’ll thrive here. We’ve been at this since 2014 and we’re at the point where the hard problems are behind us and the hard work is in front of us.

NEO is our flagship - a general purpose robot designed to move, learn, and operate in the real world alongside real people. We’re not demoing it, we're shipping it. We’re excited to meet you, if this excites you.

If you’ve spent your career working on problems that matter and want to see them actually reach the world - this is that moment. We’re scaling, we’re hiring with intention, and we need people who want to build something that will genuinely change how humans spend their time safely creating abundance for all.

ABOUT THE TEAM

The Quality and Compliance team ensures NEO meets the safety, regulatory, and certification requirements needed to operate in the real world. We work across hardware, software, battery, systems, test, and reliability to build safety into the product from the beginning and navigate the evolving standards landscape for humanoid robotics.

YOUR CHARTER

Own safety compliance strategy and execution for 1X humanoid robots. You’ll translate emerging robotics and product safety standards into actionable engineering requirements, design guidance, test plans, and certification evidence while partnering directly with engineering teams and external laboratories to ensure safety is built into NEO from design through certification.

KEY OUTCOMES

- Own safety compliance strategy and certification plans for humanoid robot systems, identifying applicable requirements, defining technical workstreams, and driving execution against program timelines.

- Translate complex safety standards into clear engineering requirements, design guidelines, verification methods, and acceptance criteria across robot, electrical, battery, materials, functional safety, cybersecurity, AI, and related systems.

- Establish safety requirements early in product development and partner with engineering teams to identify and close compliance gaps before formal validation and certification.

- Define and oversee safety compliance testing, including test procedures, acceptance criteria, laboratory coordination, and technical troubleshooting during certification and pre-certification testing.

- Build and maintain objective technical evidence for compliance, including test results, compliance rationale, requirements traceability, and certification documentation.

- Lead investigation and corrective action for safety and compliance issues, identifying root causes and verifying that corrective actions adequately address the underlying risk.

- Monitor emerging standards and regulatory requirements and represent 1X in relevant industry standards activities to help shape the safety framework for humanoid robotics.

KEY COMPETENCIES

- Deep technical understanding of product safety, compliance, and certification for complex electromechanical or robotic systems.

- Strong ability to interpret complex standards and turn them into practical engineering requirements and design guidance.

- First-principles problem solver who can investigate safety issues, understand the underlying technical mechanism, and develop effective corrective actions.

- Strong understanding of system and functional safety methodologies, including risk assessment, FMEA/FMEDA, STPA, safety functions, and risk-reduction verification.

- Effective cross-functional partner who can work directly with Hardware, Electrical, Battery, Software, AI, Systems, Test & Validation, and Reliability teams.

- Strong project ownership with the ability to manage multiple certification workstreams, external partners, dependencies, and aggressive development schedules.

- Clear technical communicator who can explain regulatory and safety requirements to engineers and leadership.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.

- 5+ years of experience in product safety, safety compliance, certification, or a closely related engineering role involving robotics, complex electromechanical products, machinery, autonomous systems, or similar products.

- Strong working knowledge of applicable robotics, battery, electrical, and materials safety standards, including standards such as ANSI/CAN/UL 3300, ISO 12100, ISO 13849-1, ANSI/CAN/UL 2271, UL 1642, IEC 62133-2, UL 94, or related requirements.

- Experience applying system safety and functional safety methods, including risk assessment, FMEA/FMEDA, STPA, safety-function definition, and verification of risk-reduction measures.

- Demonstrated ability to translate standards into engineering requirements, design guidance, test procedures, and objective compliance evidence.

- Experience working with test organizations, external laboratories, and certification bodies through certification or compliance testing.

PREFERRED SKILLS

- Experience with safety certification of robots, autonomous machines, industrial machinery, consumer electromechanical products, or products designed to operate around people.

- Experience with cybersecurity or AI-related safety and compliance frameworks for connected or autonomous products.

- Experience developing internal compliance guidelines, design standards, checklists, or engineering tools.

- Participation in UL, ANSI, ISO, IEC, ASTM, or other standards committees or working groups.

- Experience taking a product through third-party certification from requirements definition through final certification.

- Experience working in a startup or rapidly evolving product environment where standards and requirements are still developing.

WHAT DOES A SUCCESSFUL 1X TEAM MEMBER LOOK LIKE?

Team members at 1X who thrive here are builders. They move fast, own their work completely, and treat time like it’s the one thing you can’t get back - because it is. They say what they mean, finish what they start, and hold themselves to a standard before anyone has to ask. We push each other to be better, and we do it with honesty and respect.

COMPENSATION RANGE

$171,000 – $200,000 + Equity

BENEFITS

- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage

- Generous paid time off, company holidays, and parental leave

- 401(k) plan with company match (100% on the first 3% of contributions, 50% on the next 2%)

- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA) options

- Commuter benefits (transit and parking)

- Short-term and long-term disability, and life insurance

- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for mental health, financial, and personal support

- Onsite snacks and catered lunches

Equal Opportunity Employer

1X is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, medical condition, genetic information, disability, military or veteran status, justice system impact, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.