Sr. Controls Software Engineer, Test & Automation

Rivian Automotive

About Us

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.

Role Summary

We are seeking a highly capable and proactive Senior Controls Software Engineer, Test & Automation to join our dynamic Energy, Storage & Distribution team. This role will be critical in the testing and integration of control software for significant vehicle features, including high- and low-voltage battery and thermal management systems. The ideal candidate will possess a solid understanding of computer or electrical engineering principles, with a strong focus on embedded software and a proven ability to deliver high-quality test solutions. This position requires a strong commitment to software quality, the ability to independently contribute to root cause analysis (RCA), participate in defining solutions and assessing risks for over-the-air (OTA) updates, and actively drive improvements in test coverage and efficiency. This is a domain-oriented position that plays a key role in validating the performance and reliability of our energy control and distribution software.

Responsibilities

Lead the planning, development, and execution of software qualification tests for assigned features or subsystems at hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) and software-in-the-loop (SIL) levels. This includes:

  • Designing, developing, and maintaining efficient and scalable automated test scripts using established automation toolsets, contributing to the evolution of team standards.
  • Proactively tracking, analyzing, and reporting on software quality gaps for assigned areas, providing clear metrics per OTA release.
  • Conducting in-depth investigations into new failures with developers to understand technical aspects and actively contribute to defining effective resolution timelines.
  • Taking ownership of and contributing to the sign-off process for the quality of embedded software at SIL/HIL levels for their areas of responsibility.
  • Independently leading the effort to fix complex test scripts and thoroughly address root causes of new failures, including those resulting from developer errors.
  • Technically investigating failures, collaborating effectively with developers to identify root causes, and actively proposing opportunities for continuous test process and software design optimization within their domain.
  • Presenting clear software quality status updates and progress on testing efforts for their assigned features to the team and potentially stakeholders.
  • Contributing to the expansion of automated test coverage across SIL, HIL, and other automated test assets, providing guidance and support to junior engineers.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s or Master's degree in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, or software engineering and 3-5 years of related experience.
  • 4+ years of demonstrable experience in an automated test development environment with a strong understanding of system interactions (hardware and software).
  • Proven expertise in Python and developing and maintaining sophisticated software test automation using frameworks like Google Test and Pytest.
  • Solid proficiency in embedded programming languages C, C++, and a working knowledge of modern languages like Rust/Golang.
  • Experience in contributing to and understanding software release and build processes (git/svn, Bazel/scons, gcc).
  • Experience in deploying and troubleshooting embedded systems on target platforms (Linux, yocto, buildroot, docker, bitbake).
  • Working knowledge of advanced 32-bit multi-core microcontrollers.
  • Experience with debugging and analyzing communication interfaces like CAN, LIN, UDS, and DoIP.
  • Experience working with and testing in Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS) environments.
  • Ability to proficiently use electronic test equipment (oscilloscopes, logic analyzers) for effective hardware-level debugging.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a focus on identifying root causes and implementing effective solutions.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively within and across teams.
  • Strong proficiency with software revision management control software like Git (local and cloud-hosted systems like GitLab or GitHub), including branching and merging strategies.
  • Good understanding of high voltage battery systems and their control strategies is a plus.

Pay Disclosure

Salary Range/Hourly Rate for Irvine, California Based Applicants: $135,100 to $168,900 USD (actual compensation will be determined based on experience, location, and other factors permitted by law).

Benefits Summary: Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies provides 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.

Company Statements

Equal Opportunity

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information or characteristics, physical or mental disability, marital/domestic partner status, age, military/veteran status, medical condition, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are also committed to ensuring compliance with all applicable fair employment practice laws regarding citizenship and immigration status.

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies is committed to ensuring that our hiring process is accessible for persons with disabilities. If you have a disability or limitation, such as those covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, that requires accommodations to assist you in the search and application process, please email us at candidateaccommodations@rivian.com.

Candidate Data Privacy

Rivian and VW Group Technologies (“Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies”) may collect, use and disclose your personal information or personal data (within the meaning of the applicable data protection laws) when you apply for employment and/or participate in our recruitment processes (“Candidate Personal Data”). This data includes contact, demographic, communications, educational, professional, employment, social media/website, network/device, recruiting system usage/interaction, security and preference information. Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies may use your Candidate Personal Data for the purposes of (i) tracking interactions with our recruiting system; (ii) carrying out, analyzing and improving our application and recruitment process, including assessing you and your application and conducting employment, background and reference checks; (iii) establishing an employment relationship or entering into an employment contract with you; (iv) complying with our legal, regulatory and corporate governance obligations; (v) recordkeeping; (vi) ensuring network and information security and preventing fraud; and (vii) as otherwise required or permitted by applicable law.

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies may share your Candidate Personal Data with (i) internal personnel who have a need to know such information in order to perform their duties, including individuals on our People Team, Finance, Legal, and the team(s) with the position(s) for which you are applying; (ii) Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies affiliates; and (iii) Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies’ service providers, including providers of background checks, staffing services, and cloud services.

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies may transfer or store internationally your Candidate Personal Data, including to or in the United States, Canada, and the European Union and in the cloud, and this data may be subject to the laws and accessible to the courts, law enforcement and national security authorities of such jurisdictions.

Please see our Candidate Data Privacy Notice (English) and Candidate Data Privacy Notice (Serbian) for more information.

Please note that we are currently not accepting applications from third party application services.

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Confirmed a day ago. Posted 30+ days ago.

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