Sr. Vehicle Systems Engineer, Network Interface

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies • Irvine, CA

1d

About The Position

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies is a joint venture between two industry leaders with a clear vision for automotive’s next chapter. From operating systems to zonal controllers to cloud and connectivity solutions, we’re addressing the challenges of electric vehicles through technology that will set the standards for software-defined vehicles around the world. The road to the future is uncharted. By combining our expertise across connectivity, AI, security and more, we’ll map a new way forward. Working together, we’ll create a future that’s more connected, more intelligent, more sustainable for everyone.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or an engineering discipline / related technical field.
• 3-5 years of experience with embedded development, safety-critical systems, and/or automotive or similarly complex integrated systems; or an advanced degree.
• Proven experience with Bazel as a primary build system and GitLab CI for automation.
• Expert-level proficiency with Git, specifically in multi-repo environments and complex conflict resolution.
• Experience building analysis tools, scripts, or prototypes (Python experience required, C/C++ experience valued).
• Hands-on experience using tools such as CANoe, CANalyzer, Wireshark, or equivalent trace and analysis tools.
• Foundational understanding of automotive communication protocols (CAN, LIN, or Ethernet) and how they interface with ECUs, with a strong interest in vehicle networking.
• Strong understanding of vehicle functions within automotive E/E architecture.
• Solid understanding of how electrical, mechanical, and software domains interact in a complex integrated product.
• Ability to read and interpret build logs to diagnose failures in large-scale software projects.
• Self-motivated, with demonstrated ability to take loosely defined problems, structure them, and move them forward with appropriate guidance.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced development environment with strong written and verbal communication skills.
• A collaborative team player who builds trust quickly across engineering groups, communicates clearly in writing and in person, explains technical findings to specialists and non-specialists alike, and exercises the judgment to know when to solve an issue directly versus route it to the right owner.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in vehicle, embedded systems, or a closely related discipline preferred.
• Working experience with requirements management tools (Jama, Doors, or equivalent) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and optimize CI/CD pipelines using GitLab CI and Bazel to support robust builds.
• Manage complex code merging activities within a multi-repo structure, including resolving rebase conflicts and fixing build failures quickly to maintain developer velocity.
• Help refine workflows for network interface versioning and change management, improving traceability and communication across domains.
• Perform hands-on debugging of complex integrated systems, specifically focusing on the interfaces between software components and vehicle ECUs.
• Develop and maintain lightweight tools, scripts, and models to analyze network architecture, latency, and bandwidth usage, and to evaluate design trade-offs for software-defined vehicles.
• Support system analyses and trade studies comparing design options.
• Analyze and implement signal and network definition changes, assessing technical impact on RVT ECUs and coordinating clean updates to shared artifacts.
• Work with architecture, software, and validation teams to share integration status, clarify requirements, and drive technical issues to closure.
• Lead and coordinate cross-functional teams to deliver integrated subsystems and features.
• Work with the Program Teams and domain teams to align feature implementation with testing requirements at a vehicle-level.
• Track and document software versions, hardware revisions, and feature sets to ensure traceability across the platform and keep downstream teams aligned.
• Contribute to the RVT network interface specification and system-wide network definition for 2nd ECUs by synthesizing ECU extracts and signal lists under guidance from senior engineers.
• Take on integration work that sits between team charters such as: unowned interfaces, missing test coverage, ambiguous expected behavior.
• Apply lessons learned from integration and testing to architecture and systems requirements for future programs or phases.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary
• Full-time positions may be eligible to participate in our annual company performance bonus program.
• Equity in the form of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
• Comprehensive benefits package designed to support the health, wellbeing, and financial future for full-time employees
• Health coverage
• Retirement savings
• Time off
• Family planning programs

What This Job Offers

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