UIUC Research Park Intern - Motor Controls Development

Rivian • Champaign, IL

2d • $33 - $40

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 Internship Term: Winter 2026 Rivian internships are experiences optimized for student candidates. To be eligible, you must be an undergraduate or graduate student in an accredited program during the internship term. If you are not pursuing a degree, please see our full time positions on our Rivian careers site. Note that if your university has specific requirements for internship programs, it is your responsibility to fulfill those requirements. In this role, you will assist the Electric Power Conversion (EPC) team in developing and validating motor control algorithms. This entails using Model-Based Design to simulate motor behavior, and then utilizing Python and SQL within our cloud data platform to analyze how these algorithms perform in the field.

Requirements

• Must be currently pursuing a bachelors, masters, or PhD degree at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign
• Actively pursuing a degree or one closely related in Electrical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering
• Strong proficiency in Matlab/Simulink for control logic development.
• Core understanding of AC motor theory and 3-phase power electronics.
• Solid programming foundations in C and Python.

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience in the EV industry or with high-voltage laboratory equipment preferred.
• Knowledge of SQL and cloud-based data analysis preferred.
• Understanding of Functional Safety (ISO 26262) principles is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop motor control logic in Matlab/Simulink while simultaneously building Python/SQL scripts in Databricks.
• Create a unified workflow where simulation results are compared directly against fleet data.
• Run test cases on Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) benches to verify performance.
• Document and present root-cause findings to the EPC team.

Benefits

• Rivian provides robust wellness benefits, and a medical insurance package for interns, 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

• Career Level: Intern
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees