Senior Electrical Systems Engineer

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.

RV Tech — the Rivian and Volkswagen Group joint venture — builds the electrical and electronic foundation of a software-defined vehicle platform used by both partner OEMs. Our Electrical Systems Hardware Engineering group owns the vehicle's electrical system architecture and domain definition.

This is the most senior individual contributor role in the group. You set cross-domain electrical architecture direction for US-based programs, own the multi-year technology roadmap, and hold the group’s technical positions with partner OEM teams and suppliers.

• Define the electrical architecture approach across domains: low- and high-voltage (LV/HV) power distribution, harness strategy, and electrical interface definitions

• Set zonal topology strategy — the basis for zonal ECU count, placement, and device I/O allocation

• Define LV power architecture standards: supply strategy, bus management, power modes, and fault handling

• Establish the methods used for requirement decomposition, traceability, interface control, and mission profile development

• Own the multi-year electrical technology roadmap, direct the supporting R&D, and make build, buy, and partner recommendations

• Define validation strategy across unit, software-in-the-loop (SIL), hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), and vehicle-level testing, including coverage and responsibility boundaries with partner OEM teams

• Negotiate architecture positions that scale across both Rivian and Volkswagen Group programs

• Direct resolution of complex, cross-domain electrical issues

• Set standards for schematic review, DFMEA, load and fault analysis, and ISO 26262 functional safety work products

• Identify architectural problems the organization has not yet framed, and define the work required to address them

• Mentor Senior and Staff engineers, and represent the electrical systems function in program and leadership reviews

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field

• ~12+ years in electrical systems engineering on automotive or comparable complex embedded products

• Ownership of electrical architecture across multiple domains or programs, through to production

• Deep expertise in LV/HV power systems, electrical distribution, and wiring harness design

• Advanced requirements decomposition, interface definition, and validation strategy

• Track record of setting technical standards adopted beyond an immediate team

• Applied ISO 26262 functional safety experience in an electrical systems context

• Ability to align technical and program stakeholders without direct authority

• Zonal or centralized E/E architecture experience on a production program, including topology definition

• eFuse or solid-state power distribution, DC-DC converter integration, or 12V/48V bus architecture

• Circuit simulation for load, transient, and fault analysis (SPICE, Saber, or equivalent)

• Electrical design tooling

• Advanced engineering or R&D leadership maturing pre-production technology

• MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering or a related field

We build the exceptional — and we believe the people doing that work should be rewarded accordingly. In addition to a competitive base salary, full-time positions may be is eligible to participate in our annual company performance bonus program.

Payments are discretionary and not guaranteed; actual amounts depend on company results and the terms of the plan in effect, and require active employment at the time of payout. This role is also eligible for equity in the form of…