Staff Embedded Software Engineer

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies•Irvine, CA

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. We are looking for a Staff Embedded Software Engineer who understands the lay of the land of this rapidly growing EV marketplace. Our dynamic team focuses on providing the foundational software stack for Design Verification of the PCBAs & ECUs (Electronic Control Units) for current and next-generation vehicle platforms, including Autonomy, Infotainment, and Vehicle Controls. You will play a critical role in supporting ECU-level platform bring-up and validation, ensuring robust performance and seamless user experiences. This role is crucial for supporting ECU-level platform bring-up and validation across a next-generation embedded system stack, with a specific focus on cutting-edge infotainment systems. You'll play a critical role in bringing up and optimizing these complex systems, ensuring robust performance and seamless user experiences at the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) level. You'll have the chance to collaborate with some of the brightest minds in developing the embedded hardware and software stack for this rapidly evolving EV industry. The ideal candidate will thrive in a fast- paced environment and possess a strong passion for innovation in embedded technologies.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science/Engineering or a related field.
7+ years' experience in Embedded Software Development.
Strong hands-on experience with high-performance SoCs such as Snapdragon, NVIDIA Orin, MediaTek, or similar platforms.
Experience with automotive-grade SoCs is a significant plus.
Proficient in Embedded Linux, QNX, DriveOS, and experience with hypervisor-based systems (e.g., Type-1 hypervisors, Gunyah, ACRN, etc.).
Strong background in multimedia development with a particular focus on camera and/or display subsystems – including driver integration, middleware, and user-space application development.
Proven experience in ECU-level software development for complex infotainment systems.
Experience with performance analysis and optimization of CPU, GPU, and NPU workloads
Expert proficiency in C, C++, and Python.
Good understanding of Linux and/or RTOS fundamentals, Board Support Packages, kernel configuration, device driver interfaces, and debugging tools.
Hands-on experience using Lauterbach, Oscilloscope, JTAG, and flashing tools.
Solid understanding of interface protocol stacks (SPI, I2C, Ethernet, PCIe), and board bring-up.
Experience with scripting languages (Python, shell).
Comfortable and effective working in fast-paced environments such as startups, consumer electronics, or automotive domains, with a proven ability to adapt to evolving requirements.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of OS internals (process scheduler, memory management, concurrency, synchronization, storage).
Knowledge of hypervisors and virtualization in the automotive industry.
Experience with ARM cores and architecture.
Experience in using electronic test equipment for debugging at the hardware level.
Experience with embedded toolchains (compilers, linkers, linker scripts).
Experience with automotive communication protocols (e.g., CAN, Ethernet).
Familiarity with functional safety standards (e.g., ISO 26262).
Experience with continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines for embedded systems.

Responsibilities

Lead and contribute to the bring-up of new hardware platforms at the ECU level for infotainment systems, including initial boot, driver integration, and system-level debugging.
Design, develop, and implement dedicated software features specifically for testing the ECU against its specifications. These features are critical for comprehensive validation at the ECU level.
Extract valuable learnings from the validation feature development and testing processes to continuously improve and enhance production diagnostics
Develop and execute comprehensive validation strategies, including: Stress Testing: Design and implement rigorous stress tests for critical ECU subsystems (CPU, GPU, NPU, Multimedia subsystems) to identify performance bottlenecks, thermal limitations, and ensure system stability under extreme loads. Performance Benchmarking: Analyze and optimize ECU system performance, identifying areas for improvement and implementing efficient solutions.
Develop and maintain manufacturing software for End-of-Line (EOL) testing, ensuring quality control and efficient production processes for ECUs.
Focus on validating and optimizing the camera and display subsystems at the ECU level, from driver integration and middleware validation to user-space application testing, ensuring high-quality multimedia experiences within the infotainment system.
Work closely with hardware engineers, Validation & Test Automation teams, and other software architects/engineers to ensure seamless ECU integration and delivery of high-quality products.
Identify and resolve complex software and hardware issues at the ECU level, utilizing various debugging tools and techniques, with an ability to work across organizations/teams.
Create and maintain comprehensive documentation for software designs, APIs, and test procedures.
Ability to crisply communicate with peers, stakeholders, customers, technical leaders, and OEMs/ODMs.