Android Software Engineer

Staff Android Software Engineer

Company:
Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies

Location:

Palo Alto, California

The Navigation application is the most used application in infotainment. As part of the Mapping team, you will help build a world‑class Android application that will ship to millions of customers around the world—from Rivian to Porsche to VW and more.

We’re looking for an experienced Android engineer to help us architect, build, profile and maintain an Android‑based framework that empowers the next generation of Navigation applications. No maps or automotive experience is required; we’re looking for top Android developers first and foremost.

• You will be a technical leader, driving architectural decisions and delivering robust, high‑performance software.
• Architect, design, and develop mission‑critical applications on Android Automotive OS, ensuring technical excellence and scalability across diverse vehicle platforms.
• Create modular and scalable Android software frameworks, design patterns, and libraries that can adapt to a variety of different product lines and global use cases within the joint venture.
• Collaborate with engineering, product, and UI/UX teams to define the technical requirements and long‑term vision for our core application features.
• Identify and resolve the most complex application and system‑level Android bottlenecks, focusing on performance optimizations spanning the OS stack.
• Chase bugs through the entire Android stack— from low‑level driver and hardware issues, across inter‑process communications (IPC), to network services, and into various shared components and libraries.
• Maintain and contribute to reliable and repeatable testing suites to manage performance and quality across releases.
• Drive quality through rigorous code reviews, continuous integration/development, and the implementation of robust test code, including edge cases.
• Mentor and influence other engineers, growing the technical capabilities and best practices of the entire organization.

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or Software Engineering (MS preferred) or equivalent professional experience.
• Expertise with Android UI frameworks and architectural patterns.
• Expert‑level Android application developer with 8+ years of experience building and shipping complex, production‑quality applications.
• Exceptional proficiency in Kotlin.
• Demonstrable expertise in using Android and Native Linux APIs, including the ability to perform systems‑level debugging and optimization.
• Advanced concurrency experience is mandatory, particularly with Kotlin Coroutines and Flows and multi‑threaded programming.
• Extensive experience profiling and optimizing Android UI performance and memory usage in resource‑constrained or embedded environments.
• Experience with Android Binders.
• Proficient in code versioning and CI tools (Git, Jenkins, Git Lab).
• Ability to manage your workload with minimal supervision and autonomously lead large, ambiguous technical projects.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the proven ability to collaboratively work with, mentor, and influence cross‑functional, senior, and globally distributed teams.
• Top‑notch teamwork and communication skills.

Salary Range for Palo Alto, California based applicants: $186,000 USD – $232,500 USD (actual compensation will be determined based on experience, location, and other factors permitted by law).

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies provides robust medical/Rx, dental and vision insurance packages for full‑time and part‑time employees, their spouse or domestic partner, and children up to age 26. Full‑time employee coverage is effective on the first day of employment. Part‑time employee coverage is effective the first of the month following 90 days of employment.

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 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