Staff Technical Program Manager, Audio & Infotainment

Rivian • Palo Alto, CA

4d

About The Position

Rivian is on a mission to keep the world adventurous forever. This goes for the emissions-free Electric Adventure Vehicles we build, and the curious, courageous souls we seek to attract.
As a company, we constantly challenge what’s possible, never simply accepting what has always been done. We reframe old problems, seek new solutions and operate comfortably in areas that are unknown. Our backgrounds are diverse, but our team shares a love of the outdoors and a desire to protect it for future generations.

Role Summary

Rivian is seeking a Technical Program Manager, Infotainment to join the Electrical Hardware TPM organization. In this role, you will own end-to-end program management for Rivian's infotainment hardware systems — spanning display, audio, amplification, connectivity, and the software interfaces that bring them to life. You will sit at the intersection of hardware engineering, embedded software, UI/UX design, and studio/experience teams, driving alignment from concept through launch.

This is a high-ownership, high-visibility role. You will be the connective tissue between EEHW, Autonomy SW, UI/UX, Studio, Purchasing, and Validation teams — managing program risk, resolving cross-functional blockers, and ensuring infotainment hardware delivers a world-class experience on schedule.

Requirements

• 8+ years of experience in technical program management, systems engineering, or hardware development in a complex, fast-paced product environment (automotive, consumer electronics, or adjacent).
• Proven track record of managing cross-functional hardware programs from development through production.
• Strong command of program management fundamentals: risk management, milestone tracking, dependency mapping, and escalation frameworks.
• Experience managing supplier relationships and third-party technical engagements (design reviews, DVP sign-offs, issue resolution).
• Excellent communication skills — written, verbal, and visual — with the ability to tailor messaging for both technical and executive audiences.
• Comfortable operating in ambiguity; able to drive structure and clarity without full context defined.
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related technical field.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with the audio tuning process — including subjective evaluation workflows, acoustic DSP tuning cycles, amplifier characterization, and coordination between hardware and tuning engineers.
• Experience working with Studio and/or UI/UX teams on integrated product reviews, design sign-offs, and HMI/sound identity alignment — understanding how aesthetic and experience requirements translate into hardware constraints.
• Embedded software background with hands-on SW development experience or deep program management experience in embedded SW environments — familiarity with ECU software architecture, SW feature integration processes, OTA considerations, and HW/SW interface management.
• Automotive infotainment domain knowledge — amplifiers, display systems, AVAS/chime systems, or audio processing hardware.
• Experience managing programs in a Tier 1 supplier or OEM environment with JV or multi-party development structures.
• Familiarity with JIRA, Confluence, and program tracking in Agile/hybrid development environments.
• Master's degree in a relevant technical discipline.

Responsibilities

• Own the infotainment hardware program plan — scope, schedule, milestones, dependencies, and risk across all vehicle programs (R2, future platforms).
• Lead cross-functional PDT (Product Development Team) meetings spanning EEHW, SW, UI/UX, Studio, Purchasing, and Validation; drive agenda, decisions, and action tracking.
• Manage resolution of Rivian concerns (RCs), design verification issues, and supplier escalations related to infotainment HW (amplifiers, displays, speakers, connectivity modules, audio processing ECUs).
• Partner with Autonomy SW and embedded software teams to align HW/SW interface requirements, ECU feature timelines, and validation readiness.
• Collaborate with Studio and UI/UX teams on design reviews, sound identity approvals, and human-machine interface (HMI) hardware validation.
• Drive audio system development milestones — tuning readiness, subjective evaluation gates, AVAS/chime sign-offs, and supplier DVP alignment.
• Maintain program health dashboards and proactively surface risks to EEHW TPM leadership and program leadership stakeholders.
• Support build event readiness (MVB, DVB, SB) by coordinating hardware availability, software feature completeness, and validation coverage for infotainment systems.
• Track open items across supplier technical syncs and engineering reviews; own closure to committed timelines.
• Contribute to TPM operating model improvements — meeting cadences, reporting structures, and team onboarding.

Benefits

• The successful candidate may be eligible for annual performance bonus and equity awards.
• We offer a comprehensive package of benefits for full-time and part-time employees, their spouse or domestic partner, and children up to age 26, including but not limited to paid vacation, paid sick leave, and a competitive portfolio of insurance benefits including life, medical, dental, vision, short-term disability insurance, and long-term disability insurance to eligible employees.
• You may also have the opportunity to participate in Rivian’s 401(k) Plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program if you meet certain eligibility requirements.
• Full-time employee coverage is effective on their first day of employment.
• Part-time employee coverage is effective the first of the month following 90 days of employment.
• More information about benefits is available at rivianbenefits.com.

What This Job Offers

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