Prototype EDS Engineer - System Prototypes

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies•Irvine, CA

About The Position

At Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies, we are building the future of electric vehicles, and our System Prototypes team is at the forefront of this innovation. We are seeking a highly proactive and detail-oriented Prototype Engineer who thrives in dynamic, ambiguous environments and is passionate about solving complex, real-world engineering challenges. In this pivotal role, you will be instrumental in bridging the gap between cutting-edge design and functional reality, shaping the next generation of our EV systems. You will collaborate closely with our Development and Validation teams, leading the design and commissioning of electrically representative system prototypes. Your work will directly support our aggressive program development goals, ensuring the seamless integration and rigorous validation of early prototype ECUs and their end-devices. This is a highly centralized and impactful role where you will champion cross-functional collaboration, driving solutions and ensuring technical readiness for critical program milestones.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science in a relevant Engineering field (including EE, ME, Automotive, Aerospace, Robotics, etc).
1 year of hands-on experience designing low voltage electrical distribution systems for automotive applications.
Experience in reading technical drawings, electrical schematics, and system diagrams.
Adept in interpreting technical information, and creating clear engineering documentation
Ability to thrive under pressure, applying creative and critical thinking to deliver exceptional results in a fast-paced environment.
A collaborative team player with excellent communication skills, capable of conveying both detailed technical explanations and high-level status updates effectively.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with prototype manufacturing techniques and their practical application is a plus.
Experience with basic mechanical design and CAD is preferred.

Responsibilities

Own and drive data and release Ingest strategy from partners, including Schematics, BOMs, and associated updates. Index releases to associated build phases and quantify design risk for prototype assets.
Coordinate with the current Design team on improvements to harness design processes in a way that prioritizes speed to enable early development, and accounts for reworks due to early data release.
Act as a central hub for EDS related knowledge, collaborate across all development teams to provide information needed for their designs or diagnostics. You'll leverage existing knowledge while proposing innovative short-term and long-term design solutions as needed.
Support the end-to-end design and build completion of next-generation prototype assets, focusing on the integration of early prototype ECUs and end-devices to enable robust system-level hardware and software validation. Your design scope will include system design, harness design, light mechanical structure design, and integration.
Perform thorough technical vetting of asset needs, aligning them with vehicle milestones across all programs, and proactively collaborating with development teams to prepare for and validate upcoming features.