Mechatronics Validation Engineer - Vehicle Hardware

Rivian•Palo Alto, CA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Rivian is on a mission to keep the world adventurous forever. This goes for the emissions-free Electric Adventure Vehicles we build, and the curious, courageous souls we seek to attract. As a company, we constantly challenge what’s possible, never simply accepting what has always been done. We reframe old problems, seek new solutions and operate comfortably in areas that are unknown. Our backgrounds are diverse, but our team shares a love of the outdoors and a desire to protect it for future generations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics Engineering or a related field.
3+ years of experience in automotive testing and validation, mainly focusing on mechatronics systems.
Hands-on experience with mechanical and electrical lab equipment, including environmental chambers, actuators, power supplies, and custom validation fixtures.
Strong experience with data acquisition systems (DAQ), sensor integration, signal conditioning, and instrumentation setup for durability and functional validation.
Proficient in CAN-based tools such as Vector CANalyzer and Vector CANape; working knowledge of CAN/LIN communication, diagnostics (UDS), and ECU interaction.
Demonstrated expertise in diagnosing electrical and mechanical system issues, including wiring, ECUs, sensors, and actuators, with a structured root cause methodology.
Strong analytical skills using tools such as MATLAB, and Python for day-to-day data processing, visualization, and interpretation.
Solid foundation in mechatronic systems with the ability to work on prototype hardware, fixtures, and perform mechanical adjustments and system-level debugging.
Working knowledge of CAD tools (e.g., CATIA) for designing and reviewing validation fixtures and test setups.
Experience with engineering lifecycle and tracking tools such as Jira, Jama, and Confluence for requirements traceability, test execution, and issue tracking.

Responsibilities

Support development and execution of validation plan for mechatronic systems and sub-systems, ensuring all design and performance requirements are met.
Create detailed test specifications and plans for validating automotive mechatronic systems.
Update validation plans to incorporate new requirements or design controls arising from DFMEA (Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis) reviews.
Perform validation testing on mechatronic components (sensors, actuators, controllers) and sub-systems.
Control and monitor vehicle mechatronic systems during tests, identifying and troubleshooting potential failures.
Collaborate with system engineers to resolve issues identified during validation testing.
Support coordination with external testing vendors to ensure tests are executed in alignment with program timelines and requirements.
Review and ensure that all test procedures vendors conduct to meet the requirements and company standards.
Set up data logging systems to collect relevant test data and manage test reports according to record retention policies.
Analyze test data to identify performance metrics, deviations, and potential failures, providing recommendations for improvement.
Execute defined test methodologies and contribute to improvements by incorporating lessons learned and feedback from validation activities.
Catalog, prepare, and manage external and internal test reports, ensuring accuracy and adherence to validation policies.