Automotive Functional Safety Engineering
The automotive industry's shift toward green and autonomous vehicles brings heightened technological complexities and safety risks. By integrating safety early in the product lifecycle and adhering to ISO 26262, we help clients develop products that meet or exceed the required Automotive Safety Integrity Level (ASIL).
ISO 26262
ISO 21448
IATF 16949
ISO 26262 is the most accepted safety standard in the automotive world. ISO 26262 intends to minimise the risk of accidents and ensure that automotive components perform their intended functions correctly and at the right time.
It provides a comprehensive framework for development or modification of road vehicles at system, complex electrical and electronic (E/E) as well as software level. It provides systematic ways to manage safety requirement traceability at different levels and mandates production of work products as design and development progresses by implementing the V-model.
Guided by Tailored Application of
From the Safety Gazette
Practical insights on automotive functional safety engineering written by our engineers.
What we offer?
Tailored Use of Standards
ARP 4761
ARP 4754
DO-178, DO-254,
DO-326 and DO-356
Compliance with: 25.1309 & 23.2510
Safety Assessment
Tools
Conventional Tools such as: FTAs, DD, MA, and FMEAs
State-of-the-art tools such as: MBSA, CEA, COFFE, etc.
Safety Assessment Softwares: Windchill (WQS), Isograph, and Polarion
System
Expertise
Conventional Aircraft Systems, Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Rotorcraft, RPAS
S1000D modules
such as: Mechanical, Propulsion, Avionics and Flight Controls
What We Deliver
End-to-end automotive functional safety support at any stage of your program
Safety Management
Tailored automotive safety activities for different phases of the product lifecycle, from concept to decommissioning. Foster safety culture across the organisation. Functional Safety Management and Work Product Planning.
Hazard Analysis & Risk Assessment (HARA)
Conduct Hazard Analysis and Risk Assessment for Automotive Safety Integrity Level (ASIL) determination. Item Definition and Functional Safety Concept (FSC).
Requirements Management
Creating functional safety requirements and technical safety requirements for the Safety Goals as per assigned ASIL.
Safety Analysis
FTA, FMEA, FMECA, and Dependent Failure Analysis (DFA). Proficient in functional safety analysis tools including FMEDA and Single Point Failure Metrics.
Supporting Processes
Developing Development Interface Agreements (DIAs) for suppliers. Overseeing configuration management. Supporting software tool qualification and hardware component evaluation.
Functional Safety Audit & Assessment
Support the verification of the product safety lifecycle with confirmation reviews, functional safety audits and assessments for certification.
End-to-End Support
Functional Safety Trainings. Impact Analysis. DIA and Configuration Management. Tailored application of ISO 26262, ASCE 21-21 and EN5021x for novel system programs.
Confirmation Measures
Confirmation Reviews ensuring independence of safety work products as required by ISO 26262. Support for safety audit and functional safety assessment documentation.
Programs We've Supported
ASIL C
Safety Goals
ASIL C achieved for Inverter-Generator system
APM
Automated People Mover
Tailored ISO 26262, ASCE 21-21 and EN5021x integration for novel APM
EV
Heavy Duty Vehicle
Safety Management process integration, Work product development and training for Electric Heavy Duty Vehicle Manufacturer
IATF
Process Integration
ISO 26262 integrated with IATF 16949 Quality Management Process
Case Study: RPAS Certification Support
Challenge: A Canadian RPAS manufacturer developing a complex rotary-wing drone required a full safety program to support their Transport Canada type certificate application. The program involved novel propulsion architecture with no historical failure rate data.
What QTSI delivered: Safety Program Plan, AFHA and SFHA, PSSA and SSA for the flight control and propulsion systems. FTA and FMEA for all DAL A and B functions. Failure rate substantiation using FMEDA methodology. Liaison support with Transport Canada reviewers throughout the process.
Outcome: Certification package accepted by Transport Canada. Safety assessment delivered within program schedule. Client team upskilled on ARP4761A methods during the engagement.
The Standards We Work In
Deep technical expertise in the standard that governs automotive functional safety
ISO 26262 — Road Vehicles: Functional Safety
What it is: ISO 26262 is the most accepted safety standard in the automotive world. It intends to minimize the risk of accidents and ensure that automotive components perform their intended functions correctly and at the right time. It provides a comprehensive framework for development or modification of road vehicles at system, complex E/E, and software level.
What QTSI delivers: QTSI delivers the full ISO 26262 safety lifecycle: HARA and safety goal definition, ASIL assignment, Functional Safety Concept (FSC), Technical Safety Concept (TSC), safety analysis (FTA, FMEA, FMECA, DFA, FMEDA), confirmation measures, hardware metrics, DIA development, and functional safety audits and assessments. QTSI is proficient in delivering safety analysis though tailored use of commercially available software such as Polarion, Jama, DOORS, Isograph, and Ansys Medini.
Tools & Platforms
We deliver in the same toolchains your team already uses — no re-training required.
Ansys Medini Analyze
FMEA, FTA, FMEDA, HARA — integrated model-based safety analysis
IBM DOORS
Requirements management and safety traceability across the V-model
Siemens Polarion
Full lifecycle management, requirements, and V&V traceability
Isograph
FTA, RBD, and reliability analysis for quantitative safety assessment
Jama
Requirements management and safety traceability across the V-model
CAFTA
Failure Tree Analysis (FTA) tool.
What sets us apart?
We are your strategic partner in achieving automotive safety excellence with diverse experience in safety standards and diverse cutting-edge mobility technology. Some key contributions include:
Our experience in:
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Tailoring safety integrity based on ISO 26262, ASCE 21-21 and EN5021x for novel automated people mover
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Achieving ASIL C using safety analysis for Inverter-Generator system
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Developing work product templates based on ISO 26262 for entire safety life cycle
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Integrating the safety process (ISO 26262) with Automotive Quality Process (IATF 16949)
Working on an automotive certification program?
Whether you're at item definition or preparing for your final functional safety assessment, QTSI steps in at any point in your V-model.