Machine Functional Safety Specialist

Company Description

We are SGS – the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company. We are recognized as the global benchmark for sustainability, quality and integrity. Our 99,600 employees operate a network of 2,650 offices and laboratories, working together to enable a better, safer and more interconnected world.

Job Description

Role Purpose

The Machine Functional Safety Specialist will act as a Subject Matter Expert to design and develop SGS Malaysia’s machine functional safety service offerings for the Electrical & Electronic industry and wider manufacturing ecosystem. The role supports customer engagement, solution selling and internal capability building by interpreting machine safety requirements, developing service methodologies, conducting market intelligence and providing technical advisory support on machinery risk assessment, safety-related control systems and functional safety compliance.

Business Context

• This role supports SGS Malaysia’s existing market expansion in the E&E industry, where customers require stronger machine safety, functional safety and compliance support for automated equipment, production machinery and manufacturing lines.
• The position is expected to strengthen SGS Malaysia’s capability to understand market requirements and customer expectations while developing practical machine functional safety services for local customers.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• ​​​​Design, develop and support machine functional safety service offerings, including machinery risk assessment, functional safety assessment, safety concept development, technical documentation review and safety-related control system verification support.
• Interpret relevant machine safety and functional safety requirements to shape SGS Malaysia’s service scope, delivery methodology and customer solutions.
• Support customer engagement and solution selling by providing technical input during customer meetings, proposal development, technical clarification and service positioning.
• Train internal teams and build capability in machinery risk assessment, functional safety concepts, safety functions, Performance Level / SIL principles, validation and reporting expectations.
• Conduct market intelligence to understand customer requirements, competitor services, regulatory trends, emerging automation risks and E&E / manufacturing market opportunities.
• Collaborate with SGS regional / global experts to leverage existing machinery functional safety services, standards knowledge, templates and best practices.
• Support business growth by preparing technical recommendations, service development plans, competency requirements, customer-facing materials and practical delivery frameworks.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

• Review and interpret machinery safety and functional safety requirements from relevant standards and regulatory references such as ISO 12100, ISO 13849, IEC 62061, IEC 61508, EN 60204 and other applicable machine safety requirements where relevant.
• Develop service scopes, method statements, technical checklists, risk assessment templates, safety function review formats, validation plans and reporting templates for machine functional safety services.
• Provide technical guidance on hazard identification, risk estimation, risk reduction, safeguarding, safety-related control systems, Performance Level / SIL concepts, diagnostic coverage, common cause failure and validation expectations.
• Assess customer requirements and advise on suitable assessment route, evidence requirements, machine documentation, acceptance criteria, applicable standards and reporting needs.
• Support customer meetings, technical presentations, seminars, proposal preparation and solution-selling activities for machine safety and functional safety services.
• Support development of internal competencies, including training materials, assessor awareness, document review guidance, safety function examples and service readiness checklists.
• Coordinate with regional experts, technology partners or subcontractors to align technical capability, quotation input, assessment execution, report review and customer communication.
• Monitor market developments, regulatory changes, customer expectations, competitor offerings and machinery safety technology trends to recommend improvements to SGS service offerings.
• Maintain technical documentation, service development records, customer requirement summaries and internal knowledge materials in a controlled and accessible manner.
• Ensure all technical and customer-facing activities comply with SGS Code of Integrity, confidentiality requirements, quality procedures and professional conduct expectations.
• Adherence to SGS Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Policy by upholding good safety behaviour and exercising necessary standards and processes when carrying out responsibilities at all times to ensure compliance with the HSE requirements.
• Perform any other responsibilities as assigned by your reporting manager and/or Senior Management.

Qualifications

Qualification

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical / Electronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Automation Engineering, Control Engineering, Safety Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Relevant experience in machine safety, functional safety, industrial automation, machinery design, safety-related control systems, E&E manufacturing, inspection / certification, technical service development or related engineering roles is preferred.
• Good understanding of customer requirements and market expectations within E&E, machine building, automation or manufacturing industries is required / strongly preferred.

Relevant Experience

• Experience with machine safety standards such as ISO 12100, ISO 13849 and IEC 62061, including risk assessment, safety function design, PL / SIL assessment or validation, will be a strong advantage.
• Experience supporting customer engagement, solution selling, technical proposals, service development, capability building or assessment / certification services is desirable.
• Exposure to industrial automation, PLC / control systems, safety relays, safety PLCs, interlocks, emergency stop systems, guarding, robotics or production machinery will be preferred.
• Able and willing to travel up to 50% of the time for customer meetings, site assessments, technical discussions, market intelligence, training and project requirements.