Sr. Manager, Autonomy Sensing Embedded Software

Rivian•Palo Alto, CA

About The Position

We are seeking an experienced people leader and embedded software expert to lead the development of state-of-the-art sensor systems for next-generation autonomy. As Sr. Manager, Autonomy Embedded Software, you will be responsible for building and leading a high-performing team that delivers the complete embedded software stack for innovative Radar sensing products—from early hardware/software co-design through production deployment. You will set the technical direction, define and execute the organization’s roadmap, and ensure delivery of robust, scalable, and maintainable software across application layers, middleware, RTOS, Linux, and low-level device drivers. You will partner closely with hardware, systems, validation, safety, cybersecurity, and autonomy teams to deliver reliable automotive products with a high level of quality and urgency.

Requirements

Master’s or Doctorate degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
10+ years of professional experience developing embedded software on microcontrollers or SoCs in automotive, industrial, or other safety- and reliability-critical domains.
3+ years of experience leading and developing software engineering teams, including hiring, performance management, coaching, and organizational planning.
Proven experience delivering embedded software products from concept and hardware bring-up through production release.
Strong programming skills in C for embedded systems; working knowledge of Python for tooling, scripting, test automation, or data analysis.
Solid understanding of RTOS fundamentals, including tasks, scheduling, interrupts, synchronization, memory management, and real-time performance.
Experience bringing up or configuring RTOS-based platforms and developing software across bare-metal, RTOS, and Linux environments.
Hands-on experience with board bring-up and low-level drivers for peripherals such as SPI, I2C, UART, CAN, Ethernet, GPIO, timers, ADC/DAC, and external memories.
Proficiency with embedded debugging tools such as JTAG/SWD, Lauterbach or similar tools, in-circuit debuggers, and flashing tools; familiarity with laboratory equipment including oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, multimeters, and power supplies.
Demonstrated ability to lead the diagnosis of complex system issues spanning firmware, hardware, and interactions with test or application software.
Strong understanding of software architecture, platform/BSP development, hardware abstraction layers, and embedded product integration.
Proven track record of cross-functional collaboration and clear, concise communication with architects, design engineers, validation teams, program teams, and external partners.
Ability to make sound decisions in a fast-paced environment, balance competing priorities, and deliver results with efficiency and urgency.

Nice To Haves

Experience developing software for automotive ECUs or advanced driver assistance and autonomy systems.
Experience with MCU-based ECU platforms, including clocking, BSPs, device configuration, hardware abstraction layers, and boot flows.
Experience with automotive functional safety, cybersecurity, diagnostics, and related engineering processes.
Experience working with sensors, radar systems, gate drivers, or other automotive electronic components.
Experience leading multi-team initiatives across hardware, embedded software, systems, validation, and manufacturing.
Experience managing external suppliers, OEM/ODM relationships, or distributed engineering teams.
Demonstrated ability to recruit, retain, and grow high-performing engineering talent.
Experience with software development infrastructure, automated validation, continuous integration, and production-quality release processes.

Responsibilities

Build, lead, and develop a team of embedded software engineers; establish team structure, hiring plans, goals, and operating mechanisms.
Define the software strategy, architecture, roadmap, and execution plan for Radar and other autonomy sensing platforms.
Own delivery of the embedded software lifecycle, including requirements, architecture, implementation, integration, verification, validation, release, and production support.
Provide technical leadership across bare-metal, RTOS, and Linux software stacks, from application and middleware layers to board support packages and device drivers.
Guide development of platform capabilities including bootloaders, PTP time synchronization, cybersecurity, functional safety, diagnostics, and update mechanisms.
Partner with hardware and software architects on next-generation platforms, SoC selection, hardware/software partitioning, interface definition, and early prototypes.
Establish clear milestones, resource plans, priorities, and dependencies; proactively manage technical risks and remove execution roadblocks.
Drive engineering excellence through effective development processes, design reviews, coding standards, automated testing, continuous integration, and disciplined release practices.
Ensure the team delivers high-quality software for board bring-up, verification, validation, and debugging of automotive electronics.
Oversee system-level troubleshooting across the firmware, hardware, test, and application stack; ensure root cause is identified and corrective actions are implemented quickly.
Maintain sufficient technical depth to review designs, guide complex debugging, and make timely tradeoffs involving performance, reliability, safety, cost, and schedule.
Collaborate across multiple disciplines to resolve complex problems and align deliverables with broader autonomy and vehicle program objectives.
Communicate plans, status, risks, and decisions crisply to peers, stakeholders, customers, technical leaders, OEMs, ODMs, and external vendors.
Represent the embedded software organization in program reviews and influence platform-level decisions across the company.
Foster a culture of ownership, inclusion, continuous learning, accountability, and high-quality execution.