Senior Manager, ECU Test & Validation Technical Program Management

Rivian and VW Group Technology • Palo Alto, CA

2d • $213,000 - $266,300

About The Position

As RVT's ECU portfolio grows across vehicle platforms and brand partner programs, the rigor and speed of our test and validation infrastructure has never been more critical. Our Electrical Hardware Technical Program Management team is seeking a Senior Manager to lead the test and validation program function for our ECU product line—spanning hardware regulatory compliance testing, hardware validation, test automation software development, and the strategic management of test and validation capital expenditures. This role sits at the intersection of engineering execution and program leadership, requiring someone who can drive technical results while operating effectively across a complex, cross-functional organization.
In this role, you will own the end-to-end test and validation program strategy for ECU hardware, ensuring that validation schedules and objectives align with programmatic milestones, including EMC/EMI, RF for both regulatory and industry-specific certifications, functional safety, electrical characterization, and reliability/durability testing. You will develop and manage the relationships with accredited third-party test laboratories, coordinate capacity within RVT’s expansive internal labs in both Northern and Southern California, and coordinate DV/PV test execution against aggressive program timelines. Your role spans the testers, labs, software and test automation required to successfully validate a complex ECU, including high compute Infotainment/Connectivity and Zonal controllers.
This role also carries direct accountability for ECU test and validation CapEx—including planning, justification, procurement, and lifecycle management of test infrastructure. You will develop multi-year capital roadmaps that anticipate program needs, rationalize shared-use assets across product lines, and ensure that our test infrastructure investments deliver measurable return in terms of schedule efficiency, test coverage, and defect detection. This candidate brings strong program management instincts, a hands-on technical foundation, and the organizational influence to drive complex, multi-team efforts to completion.

Requirements

• 12+ years of experience in ECU / PCBA test and validation, test engineering, or technical program management in the automotive, aerospace, or consumer electronics industry.
• BS or MS degree in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related technical field.
• Demonstrated expertise in PCBA design, development, validation requirements
• Experience managing CapEx planning, procurement, and lifecycle management for engineering lab or test infrastructure environments.
• Track record of leading cross-functional programs across Engineering, Quality, Sourcing, and Finance stakeholders in a fast-paced product development environment.
• Familiarity across ECU hardware validation requirements, including ISO 26262 functional safety processes, FMEA, risk-based test coverage strategies, environmental/electrical reliability testing, regulatory and industry certification requirements for radio and non-radio ECU hardware.
• Strong analytical and data-driven decision-making capabilities; experience with test metrics, coverage reporting, and program dashboards.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to translate complex technical topics for both engineering and non-engineering audiences.
• Experience with Atlassian-based applications, including Jira and Confluence
• Experience managing and developing teams of technical program managers; demonstrated ability to hire, mentor, and grow technical talent.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally to test laboratories, supplier sites, and vehicle program locations as needed.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with Build-to-Print Contract Manufacturer model, as well as JDM [Joint Development Manufacturer] or Tier 1 supplier partners in a co-development context.
• Eager to explore AI-driven solutions across communication, reporting, visualizations and analysis.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain integrated test and validation program schedules across hardware regulatory, automation development, and CapEx work streams; align milestones with ECU and vehicle-level program gates.
• Identify, communicate, and actively mitigate program risks across test schedule, regulatory compliance, toolchain readiness, and infrastructure availability.
• Act as the primary interface between the Test & Validation team and stakeholders in Hardware Engineering, Software Engineering, Systems Engineering, Quality, Finance, and Purchasing.
• Coordinate with Vehicle-level program managers to ensure ECU test and validation dependencies are reflected in top-line program schedules.
• Lead build readiness reviews for engineering, pilot, and pre-production phases, ensuring test infrastructure and automation coverage are in place to support each gate.
• Build and lead a high-performing team of test engineers and program managers; set clear goals, provide technical mentorship, and develop talent for growth.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across test cycle time, defect escape rate, automation coverage, and infrastructure utilization.

Benefits

• Total compensation packages for this position include base salary, eligibility for an annual performance bonus, and eligibility for equity.
• In addition, our benefits package has been designed to support the health and wellness of our employees. Benefit offerings include Flex Time Off, retirement savings plans as well as medical, vision and dental coverage.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior