Sr Software Engineer in Test

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, and more sustainable for everyone.

Rivian VW Tech is forging the future of electric mobility, and we are building a world-class team to develop and integrate cutting-edge manufacturing systems. We are seeking an experienced and motivated Sr Software Engineer in Test to be the foundational member to join our End-to-End (E2E) Validation team. This critical role will be instrumental in creating tools and infrastructure for validating our 24/7 Manufacturing Systems integration across Rivian and Volkswagen technologies - which enable us to move fast and be confident the deployed system is of high quality.

As the team is still small, you will have a unique opportunity to shape the team’s direction, establish best practices, and eventually grow into more senior positions.

As the Sr Software Engineer in Test , you will be creating test frameworks, test infrastructure as well as production monitoring systems in collaboration with Dev Ops and development teams. Leveraging a first-principles mindset and industry best practices, you will architect, design and implement validation software with the option to use AI-assisted tools as well. This role requires a strong technical background, exceptional leadership skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively across diverse engineering teams.

This role is located out of our Palo Alto, California Office and reports directly to the Sr. Staff Software Engineer.

• Framework Architecture: Architect, develop, and optimize a scalable and maintainable testing framework in different layers - unit, integration, E2E and product monitoring (potentially building upon or integrating with existing “MARS” framework) - tailored for the complexities of automotive plant MES and vehicle software commissioning tools.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Facilitate cross-functional discussions with commissioning, manufacturing tooling, and vehicle software teams to ensure alignment and consistency in the testing ecosystem, methodologies, and tools.

• Traceability and Governance: Establish and enforce end-to-end traceability of requirements, code changes, and test cases to ensure comprehensive validation coverage and facilitate impact analysis.

• Best Practices and Guidelines: Define and document comprehensive test guidelines, best practices, and standards for the E2E validation team and broader engineering organization.

• Workflow and Execution: Design and implement efficient workflows for tracking the proper execution of testing activities, including test planning, execution, defect management, and reporting.

• Test Result Analysis and Root Cause: Expertly evaluate test results, perform in-depth analysis of failures, and collaborate closely with software development teams to effectively root cause and resolve defects.

• Continuous Improvement: Proactively identify opportunities for process improvement, tool enhancements, and automation to elevate the efficiency and effectiveness of the E2E validation process.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.

• 5+ years of progressive experience in software testing, with a significant focus on system integration and E2E validation.

• Strong understanding and practical experience with system engineering practices, including requirements authoring, failure analysis methodologies (e.g., 8D, 5 Whys), and comprehensive test development.

• Demonstrated experience in designing and implementing robust test frameworks and automation strategies…