Head of Technology Foundations

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies

1d • $175,000 - $359,425

About The Position

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies is seeking a Head of Technology Foundations to own the strategy, architecture, delivery, and operations of the core technology infrastructure supporting its global operations and engineering organization. Reporting to the Head of Enterprise IT, this leader will guide a highly capable technical team through a major transformation to establish independent technology infrastructure and build a modern, scalable foundation.

The role spans cloud platforms, enterprise networks, data centers, and foundational technology services. The successful candidate will shape and execute an independent technology strategy, lead complex cloud and network separations and migrations, modernize infrastructure, and ensure reliable, secure, cost-effective foundations for engineering and future AI workloads. This is a technically hands-on leadership role requiring the judgment to guide architecture and technology decisions, navigate complex transformations, and partner with senior engineering leaders, Enterprise IT peers, stakeholders, and technology counterparts at Rivian and Volkswagen Group.

The Head of Technology Foundations will also advance automation-first operations and modern infrastructure practices, including infrastructure as code, observability, self-service capabilities, and cloud-native approaches. The role includes developing the team, setting operational standards and measurable service outcomes, managing budgets and strategic partners, and delivering infrastructure initiatives from concept through stable operations.

Requirements

• 10 or more years of progressive experience in infrastructure engineering, cloud platforms, networking, infrastructure architecture, or related technical leadership roles.
• Proven experience leading complex infrastructure transformations, including cloud migrations, network modernization, infrastructure buildouts, or large-scale technology separations.
• Deep technical understanding of cloud architecture, enterprise networking, hybrid infrastructure, connectivity, and foundational platform services, with the ability to critically evaluate and challenge architecture decisions.
• Demonstrated ability to independently develop and execute technology strategy, translating architectural vision into actionable roadmaps and delivered outcomes.
• Strong understanding of modern software engineering environments, including CI/CD pipelines, developer tooling, infrastructure dependencies, and effects on engineering productivity.
• Experience building or leading high-performing technical teams, empowering senior engineers, developing technical capabilities, and driving execution without unnecessary organizational layers.
• Practical experience with infrastructure automation, infrastructure as code, observability, cloud operations, and modern reliability practices.
• Strong architectural judgment, hands-on technical credibility, and ability to navigate implementation challenges and make pragmatic technology trade-offs.
• Proven ability to influence senior technology stakeholders, collaborate across organizational boundaries, and build trusted relationships with engineering and business leadership.

Nice To Haves

• Deep experience with AWS and modern cloud infrastructure, including large-scale cloud environments, account architectures, networking, and platform services.
• Experience leading corporate technology separations, carve-outs, TSA exits, or the establishment of independent cloud and network infrastructure.
• Experience building or modernizing enterprise networks, global connectivity, and data center infrastructure in distributed technology organizations.
• Background in high-growth technology, automotive, software engineering, or other engineering-intensive environments.
• Experience with cloud financial management, platform engineering, developer infrastructure, and AI/ML infrastructure requirements.
• Experience establishing modern IT operations models, including service automation, reliability engineering, and cross-functional service delivery.
• An entrepreneurial, first-principles approach to technology and demonstrated ability to deliver complex infrastructure capabilities through lean teams, automation, and strong technical leadership.

Responsibilities

• Independently develop and execute a multi-year technology strategy spanning cloud, network, data centers, and foundational services, aligned with broader technology and engineering ambitions.
• Lead the strategy and execution of complex cloud and network separations, migrations, and infrastructure buildouts, establishing scalable, independent capabilities while minimizing business and engineering disruption.
• Provide technical leadership across cloud architecture, networking, connectivity, infrastructure platforms, and hybrid environments; challenge architecture decisions, vendors, and implementation partners.
• Partner with senior engineering, engineering productivity, and engineering excellence leaders to understand infrastructure impacts on developer workflows, CI/CD pipelines, build systems, development environments, and engineering velocity.
• Promote infrastructure as code, automation, observability, self-service, and modern cloud-native practices to improve reliability, scalability, operational efficiency, and developer experience.
• Own infrastructure reliability, performance, availability, capacity, and cost optimization, and establish operational standards and measurable service outcomes in partnership with Security and other technology teams.
• Establish a modern, automation-first operating model spanning infrastructure operations, service reliability, observability, and incident management; partner across Enterprise IT to simplify and improve service delivery.
• Lead, mentor, and empower an established team of technical experts, fostering clear ownership, technical excellence, efficient execution, and continuous improvement while removing obstacles.
• Build relationships with Enterprise IT peers, engineering leadership, business stakeholders, and technology counterparts at Rivian and Volkswagen Group to align architecture, manage dependencies, and advance cross-organizational initiatives.
• Translate strategic objectives into roadmaps, make technology trade-offs, manage budgets and strategic partners, and deliver complex infrastructure initiatives from concept through stable operations.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary.
• Eligibility for an annual company performance bonus program for full-time positions; payments are discretionary and not guaranteed.
• Eligibility for equity in the form of Restricted Stock Units, subject to board approval and applicable plan terms and vesting requirements.
• Comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees, including health coverage, retirement savings, time off, and family planning programs. Offerings vary by country.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed