Staff Software Engineer, HIL, Autonomy

Rivian • Palo Alto, CA

75d • $167,400 - $209,300

About The Position

As a Staff HIL Software Engineer, you will directly architect and own the verification strategy and infrastructure, driving the quality and reliability of our mission-critical automotive software solutions. You will lead the full development lifecycle of advanced Hardware-in-the-Loop (HiL) platforms, developing high-impact test plans and scaling automation processes globally. This role requires partnering across engineering disciplines to define and implement next-generation QA processes and test automation frameworks, ensuring high performance and coverage across the autonomy stack. This is an opportunity for a technical leader passionate about automotive testing to define the future of our verification systems.

Requirements

• 8+ years of Embedded/Platform Software testing experience.
• Proficiency in scripting and programming (Python, Bash, C, C++).
• Proficiency in Linux or QNX environments.
• Knowledge of Socket Programming, TCP/IP, and HTTP.
• Experience in testing automotive ECUs and protocols like CAN and Ethernet.
• Board-level testing proficiency.
• Experience with CI/CD tools such as GitLab and Jenkins.
• Self-motivated with cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Adaptability to dynamic development and accelerated hardware production timelines.
• Excellent communication, testing, and troubleshooting abilities.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering.

Responsibilities

• Architectural Ownership: Proven experience in designing, developing, and owning highly scalable and reliable Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) test automation frameworks.
• HIL Platform Expertise: Expert management, optimization, and upgrading of complex, performance-critical HIL test platforms to ensure optimal performance and efficiency.
• CI/CD Integration Leadership: Deep command of integrating HIL systems into CI/CD pipelines (e.g., GitLab, Jenkins) to fully automate software integration, testing, and deployment.
• Strategic Test Development: Ability to translate detailed embedded software requirements into comprehensive, high-quality test plans, test cases, and formal QA documentation.
• Process Definition: Experience establishing and refining world-class QA processes and automated pipelines to enforce rigorous testing standards across engineering teams.
• Operational Excellence: Direct oversight and daily management of automated regression test execution, ensuring full coverage and continuous product quality.
• Feature Validation Partnership: Successful collaboration with software teams to drive and validate new features through targeted lab-based bench testing during development.
• Advanced Debugging & Resolution: Rigorous tracking, complete verification, and closure of all defects, with a strong focus on resolving critical support and field issues.
• Automation Scripting Mastery: High proficiency in creating and enhancing test automation scripts and tools to maximize efficiency and test coverage.
• Release Readiness Reporting: Providing clear, data-driven status.

Benefits

• Robust medical/Rx, dental and vision insurance packages for full-time employees, their spouse or domestic partner, and children up to age 26.
• Coverage is effective on the first day of employment, and Rivian covers most of the premiums.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees