Thermal Simulation 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.

Rivian Electrical R&D are the backbone of GSD (Getting Stuff Done!) for our Hardware teams. Rivian is continuing to integrate major electrical systems and components and rapidly growing vertically. This growth equals rapid career advancement opportunities for those that love challenges and fast‑paced high‑performance culture.

• Lead thermal strategy, conceptualize design, and perform numerical simulations to address a variety of thermal design challenges for leading‑edge vehicle electrical hardware.
• Develop electronic cooling and packaging solutions for next generation vehicle architectures and electronic systems.
• Define and support best practices for how CFD can be used towards electronic thermal management for high‑power requirements.
• Develop strategies for optimizing thermal and mechanical components by minimizing mass, cost and material usage.
• Provide detailed and actionable design suggestions including thermal stack‑up, cooling layout and material selection to engineers responsible for detailed design of vehicle electronics.
• Coordinate and work with other analysts across other departments to coordinate analysis methodologies and design constraints.
• Own and drive thermal methodologies, deliverables and test specifications to support modeling efforts.
• Work in multidisciplinary teams and drive product and engineering excellence.

• Masters Degree in Mechanical/Thermal Engineering or equivalent;
  PhD preferred.
• 4-6+ years of experience in providing electronic cooling solutions, including heat sink design, fan development and evaluation of thermal interface materials.
• Deep understanding of conduction, convection and radiation.
• Strong expertise with computational modeling and common CFD analysis tools, such as Flotherm, Ansys Icepack, Star CCM.
• Experience with flow and measurement techniques.
• Experience with 3D CAD, scripting and data analysis.
• Experience with experimental thermal measurements on electronics with tools such as DAQ, Lab View, Siemens t3ster, etc.
• Strong grasp of failure analysis methodologies and experience with product reliability and validation procedures.
• Experience developing and leading other multidisciplinary engineers.
• Excellent communication skills across all functions and levels.
• Excellent documentation practices.
• Fluent written and spoken English.

Total compensation packages for full-time positions include base salary, eligibility for an annual performance bonus, and eligibility for equity.

In addition, our benefits package has been designed to support the health and wellness of our employees. For more information on RV Tech’s comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees, check out the Global Benefits Site.

$167.4K - $209.3K Offers Equity, Offers Bonus

The posted salary represents the lowest and highest ranges RV Tech reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for the position. Any posted salary range pertains only to the estimated starting pay for the role. Actual starting pay is based on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate’s experience, skillset, qualifications, specific competencies, relevant education, and location.

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 candi