Systems Integration Engineer- Audio

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies•Palo Alto, 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 passionate and meticulous Systems Integration Engineer to craft the signature sound experience in our vehicles. This role is central to ensuring our audio features—from immersive music and media to crystal-clear voice commands and safety alerts—achieve the highest standard of quality and performance. You will be the critical link between software development and the in-vehicle experience. You'll be responsible for integrating complex audio software, developing sophisticated test environments, and performing the hands-on tuning and validation that transforms a good audio system into a great one. If you have a critical ear, love solving complex technical puzzles, and are obsessed with audio fidelity, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
3-5+ years of experience in software integration, audio engineering, or system validation, preferably in an automotive or consumer electronics environment.
Strong proficiency in a scripting language, particularly Python, for automation and data analysis.
Experience working with embedded operating systems such as QNX, Android, or Linux and using shell scripting for system-level debugging.
A deep understanding of digital audio principles and Digital Signal Processing (DSP) concepts (EQ, compression, limiters, crossovers, delay).
Hands-on experience with objective audio measurement tools (e.g., Audio Precision, HEAD acoustics, spectrum analyzers) to evaluate system performance.
Proven debugging and problem-solving skills, with the ability to analyze complex technical challenges across the entire audio signal path.
A valid driver's license and a clean driving record.

Nice To Haves

Experience tuning and validating advanced audio features like Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) or Engine Sound Enhancement (ESE).
Familiarity with audio-related technologies and protocols, such as Bluetooth (A2DP, HFP), Wi-Fi, and media streaming.
Knowledge of automotive communication networks like CAN, LIN, or Automotive Ethernet (AVB/TSN) and analysis tools (e.g., CANoe, Wireshark).
Experience with CI/CD pipelines and tools like Jenkins or GitLab.
A critical ear for music and audio quality, with experience in subjective listening tests and audio evaluation.

Responsibilities

Develop Automation Frameworks: Design and maintain a robust automation framework in Python to validate audio features, performance, and stability.
Scale Test Harnesses: Build and manage hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) and software-in-the-loop (SIL) benches that accurately simulate the vehicle's acoustic and infotainment environment.
In-Vehicle Tuning & Testing: Conduct hands-on subjective and objective audio tuning and validation in prototype and production vehicles.
Identify, troubleshoot, and resolve integration issues related to audio quality and system performance.
Troubleshoot & Debug: Perform deep-dive analysis of system logs and traces to debug complex issues related to audio drivers, DSP algorithms, media playback, and network streaming.
Isolate issues related to pops/clicks, latency, and synchronization.
Voice & Microphone Performance: Integrate and validate microphone array performance, Acoustic Echo Cancellation (AEC), and Noise Reduction (NR) algorithms to ensure flawless hands-free calling and voice assistant reliability.
Define Quality Standards: Collaborate with acoustic engineers and cross-functional partners to establish and enforce objective performance targets (THD+N, SNR, latency) and subjective quality benchmarks for all audio products.
Collaborate Cross-Functionally: Partner closely with software developers, QA engineers, and hardware teams to define integration strategies, create detailed test plans, and ensure seamless feature delivery.
Documentation: Create clear documentation for test cases, automation scripts, tuning results, and bug reports to ensure reproducibility and knowledge sharing.