Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies
Staff Hardware Design Architect / Lead Simulation Expert (Electronics & Thermo-M
Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies, Palo Alto, California, United States, 94306
Staff Hardware Design Architect / Lead Simulation Expert (Electronics & Thermo-Mechanical)
Join Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies as a Staff Hardware Design Architect / Lead Simulation Expert (Electronics & Thermo-Mechanical). This role is critical for driving architectural definition, detailed design, and successful analysis of complex high-speed electronic and mechanical systems.
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 This is a critical leadership position responsible for
driving the architectural definition, detailed design, and successful analysis of complex high‑speed electronic and mechanical systems . Depending on specialization, you will either lead the design of cutting‑edge ECUs (Infotainment/Connectivity) or own the structural and thermal integrity of electronic assemblies, providing expertise essential for performance and reliability across the next‑generation vehicle fleet.
Responsibilities
Architectural Ownership: Lead the architectural definition, detailed design, and analysis of complex ECUs.
High‑Speed/RF Design (Electrical Focus): Design high‑speed digital circuits incorporating high‑compute SoCs (System‑on‑Chips), high‑speed memory interfaces (e.g., DDR4/5), and high‑speed serial communication protocols (e.g., PCIe, Gigabit Ethernet). Integrate RF modules or design chip‑down solutions for wireless communication technologies (Cellular, Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth).
Simulation & Risk (Mechanical/Thermal Focus): Lead structural and thermo‑mechanical design risk assessments for low‑voltage electronics assemblies. Conduct multi‑scale numerical simulations (e.g., random vibrations, shock, thermal‑cycling) to meet reliability targets. Define and support best practices for how CFD can be used towards electronic thermal management.
Validation & Compliance: Define and execute test plans for LV and HV Electrical, RF, and Instrumentation hardware. Define and validate ECU level electrical bonding/grounding/shielding specs. Ensure designs are aligned with commercial and automotive certification for EMI/EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility).
Technical Guidance: Act as a technical lead and mentor to junior engineers. Drive continuous improvement in DFx (DFM, DFT, DFA) methodologies.
Collaboration: Work closely with cross‑functional teams including software, mechanical, validation, and manufacturing to ensure seamless product development.
Qualifications Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, a relevant technical field or equivalent practical experience.
Hands‑on experience with laboratory equipment (oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, network analyzers) for debug and characterization.
Experience building and launching consumer products.
Preferred Qualifications
7+ years of experience working in vehicle‑level component programs.
Experience with power‑management design for complex ECUs.
Experience with the ISO 26262 development process.
Experience with functional safety design in automotive, industrial, or aerospace contexts.
Use of deductive and inductive failure analysis tools including FTA (Fault Tree Analysis) and FMEDA (Failure Mode Effects & Diagnostic Analysis) supporting hardware architectural design.
Experience designing for thermal, vibration, and EMC.
Required
Experience: 5+ years to 7+ years of progressive experience in specialized hardware design, analysis, or simulation (e.g., 5+ years for Staff EMC/DSP/Hypervisor; 7+ years for Staff Embedded) is preferred.
Specialized Expertise:
Design Track: Proven expertise designing complex high‑speed digital and mixed‑signal designs, including high‑speed memory interface design (DDR, LPDDR).
Strong understanding of signal integrity (SI) and power integrity (PI) principles.
Simulation Track: M.S./Ph.D. with 3‑5 years of relevant industry experience in Structural Mechanics or Thermal Engineering. Proficient with FEA solvers (preferably Abaqus/Optistruct) or CFD analysis tools (e.g., Flotherm, Ansys Icepack). Deep understanding of failure modes in metals, plastics, and elastomers.
Pay Disclosure Salary Range for California Based Applicants:
$186,000 - $232,000 USD
(Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, location, and other factors permitted by law).
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 Volkswagen 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.
Seniority level
Not Applicable
Employment type
Full‑time
Job function
Design
Art/Creative
Information Technology
Software Development
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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 This is a critical leadership position responsible for
driving the architectural definition, detailed design, and successful analysis of complex high‑speed electronic and mechanical systems . Depending on specialization, you will either lead the design of cutting‑edge ECUs (Infotainment/Connectivity) or own the structural and thermal integrity of electronic assemblies, providing expertise essential for performance and reliability across the next‑generation vehicle fleet.
Responsibilities
Architectural Ownership: Lead the architectural definition, detailed design, and analysis of complex ECUs.
High‑Speed/RF Design (Electrical Focus): Design high‑speed digital circuits incorporating high‑compute SoCs (System‑on‑Chips), high‑speed memory interfaces (e.g., DDR4/5), and high‑speed serial communication protocols (e.g., PCIe, Gigabit Ethernet). Integrate RF modules or design chip‑down solutions for wireless communication technologies (Cellular, Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth).
Simulation & Risk (Mechanical/Thermal Focus): Lead structural and thermo‑mechanical design risk assessments for low‑voltage electronics assemblies. Conduct multi‑scale numerical simulations (e.g., random vibrations, shock, thermal‑cycling) to meet reliability targets. Define and support best practices for how CFD can be used towards electronic thermal management.
Validation & Compliance: Define and execute test plans for LV and HV Electrical, RF, and Instrumentation hardware. Define and validate ECU level electrical bonding/grounding/shielding specs. Ensure designs are aligned with commercial and automotive certification for EMI/EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility).
Technical Guidance: Act as a technical lead and mentor to junior engineers. Drive continuous improvement in DFx (DFM, DFT, DFA) methodologies.
Collaboration: Work closely with cross‑functional teams including software, mechanical, validation, and manufacturing to ensure seamless product development.
Qualifications Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, a relevant technical field or equivalent practical experience.
Hands‑on experience with laboratory equipment (oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, network analyzers) for debug and characterization.
Experience building and launching consumer products.
Preferred Qualifications
7+ years of experience working in vehicle‑level component programs.
Experience with power‑management design for complex ECUs.
Experience with the ISO 26262 development process.
Experience with functional safety design in automotive, industrial, or aerospace contexts.
Use of deductive and inductive failure analysis tools including FTA (Fault Tree Analysis) and FMEDA (Failure Mode Effects & Diagnostic Analysis) supporting hardware architectural design.
Experience designing for thermal, vibration, and EMC.
Required
Experience: 5+ years to 7+ years of progressive experience in specialized hardware design, analysis, or simulation (e.g., 5+ years for Staff EMC/DSP/Hypervisor; 7+ years for Staff Embedded) is preferred.
Specialized Expertise:
Design Track: Proven expertise designing complex high‑speed digital and mixed‑signal designs, including high‑speed memory interface design (DDR, LPDDR).
Strong understanding of signal integrity (SI) and power integrity (PI) principles.
Simulation Track: M.S./Ph.D. with 3‑5 years of relevant industry experience in Structural Mechanics or Thermal Engineering. Proficient with FEA solvers (preferably Abaqus/Optistruct) or CFD analysis tools (e.g., Flotherm, Ansys Icepack). Deep understanding of failure modes in metals, plastics, and elastomers.
Pay Disclosure Salary Range for California Based Applicants:
$186,000 - $232,000 USD
(Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, location, and other factors permitted by law).
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 Volkswagen 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.
Seniority level
Not Applicable
Employment type
Full‑time
Job function
Design
Art/Creative
Information Technology
Software Development
#J-18808-Ljbffr