Staff Embedded Software Engineer, VCS

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 137,300 - 181,890; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flex Time Off

Retirement savings plans

Medical, vision and dental coverage

Annual performance bonus

Equity eligibility

Job summary

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies in Canada is seeking a Staff Embedded Software Engineer to bridge firmware and software, facilitating rapid prototyping and feature integration. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of embedded firmware experience, expertise in C/C++/Python, and a solid understanding of RTOS. Responsibilities include maintaining runtime, creating functional models, and leading design reviews. Benefits include Flex Time Off and competitive compensation ranging from CA$137,300 to CA$181,890.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of hands-on embedded firmware experience, including porting or deeply modifying RTOS-based systems.
• Expert-level C, strong C++, and production-quality Python skills.
• Deep understanding of RTOS fundamentals (tasks, ISRs, schedulers, queues, timers).
• Proven expertise in embedded optimization and low-level debugging.
• Solid grasp of multi-threaded and multi-core programming concepts.
• Experience developing for automotive communication networks (CAN, LIN, Ethernet).

Responsibilities

• Maintain and evolve the user-space runtime that runs production firmware on host machines.
• Implement functional device models in C or Python when hardware isn’t available.
• Own build scripts, tool-chains, and configurations.
• Track down discrepancies between firmware assumptions and host behavior.
• Lead design reviews and mentor peers on real-time pitfalls.

Skills

Embedded firmware experience

C programming

C++ programming

Python skills

RTOS knowledge

Low-level debugging

Multi-threaded programming

Automotive communication networks

Build systems knowledge

Strong communication skills

Education

B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in Computer Science or related field

Tools

GDB

Bazell (or similar) build systems

Job description

Overview

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 and Volkswagen Group Technologies Canada is proud to be a Great Place To Work Certified company — 92% of employees at RV Tech Canada say it is a great place to work, compared to 60% at a typical company.

Role Summary

As a Staff Embedded Software Engineer, you will transform real-world ECU firmware into high-performance virtual devices that run on everyday workstations and cloud servers. Your work closes the gap between hardware and software by letting entire vehicle subsystems boot, communicate, and evolve entirely in software. This virtual-first approach is disrupting traditional development cycles by enabling teams to prototype, stress-test, and ship new vehicle features in days rather than months. You’ll collaborate with the core hardware-platform and application-software groups—including Charging, Body Controls, Infotainment, Vehicle Dynamics, and related domain teams—to craft the virtualization layers and peripheral models that make this possible, unlocking a new era of rapid iteration and insight-driven engineering across the vehicle stack.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and evolve the user-space runtime that runs production firmware on host machines. Familiarity with mapping RTOS concepts onto POSIX primitives is a plus.
• Hook new ECU firmware to existing stubbed / modeled libraries (GPIO, CAN, LIN, PWM, watchdog, ADC/DAC, etc.) so code runs unmodified on workstations and in the cloud.
• Implement functional (non-cycle-accurate) device models in C or Python when hardware isn’t available, partnering with hardware engineers to capture realistic behavior and edge cases.
• Own build scripts, tool-chains, and configurations that generate both host binaries and target MCU images, delivering fast, reproducible builds.
• Extend existing HIL Pytest suites for virtual configurations: inject faults, log traces, and validate timing or bus traffic against golden references.
• Track down discrepancies between firmware assumptions and host behavior; strong problem-solving instincts and GDB proficiency when needed.
• Work closely with middleware/OS engineers and, when required, hardware teams to align abstractions, validate new peripheral models, and unblock integration issues.
• Lead design reviews, raise code quality, and mentor peers on real-time pitfalls, clean abstraction boundaries, and maintainable C/C++/Python practices.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of hands-on embedded firmware experience, including porting or deeply modifying RTOS-based systems.
• B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• Expert-level C, strong C++, and production-quality Python skills.
• Deep understanding of RTOS fundamentals (tasks, ISRs, schedulers, queues, timers) and how they map onto POSIX user-space primitives.
• Proven expertise in embedded optimization and low-level debugging; comfortable with GDB and hardware/protocol analyzers.
• Solid grasp of multi-threaded and multi-core programming concepts.
• Experience developing for automotive communication networks (CAN, LIN, Ethernet) and corresponding user-space interfaces (e.g., SocketCAN).
• Hands-on ownership of Bazel (or similar) build systems and cross-compile tool-chains for heterogeneous targets.
• Strong communication skills and a track record of effective collaboration within fast-moving, multidisciplinary teams.
• Passion for shortening the idea-to-product cycle through virtualization, rapid iteration, and rigorous engineering practice.

Preferred / Nice-to-Have

• Prior work creating functional peripheral or IC models (QEMU, Renode, or custom stubs).
• Familiarity with safety-critical C guidelines (MISRA, CERT) and advanced automotive protocols (DoIP, SOME/IP).
• Experience correlating virtual-ECU results with physical HIL data to close fidelity gaps.
• Experience with Synopsys Virtualizer Development Kit or similar tools.

Total Rewards

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. Benefit offerings include Flex Time Off, retirement savings plans as well as medical, vision and dental coverage. For more information on RV Tech’s comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees, check out our Global Benefits Site.

External candidates can apply for this role through the RV Tech Careers site (https://rivianvw.tech/#careers). If you are a current employee, please apply through our internal job board.

Equal Opportunity and Candidate Data Privacy

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 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 [e-mail].

Candidate Data Privacy: Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies may collect, use and disclose your personal information or personal data when you apply for employment and/or participate in our recruitment processes. This data includes contact, demographic, communications, educational, professional, employment, and related information. We may use your Candidate Personal Data for purposes including tracking interactions with our recruiting system, evaluating your application, performing background checks, establishing employment, complying with laws, record keeping, maintaining security, and other permitted activities. We may share your Candidate Personal Data with internal personnel, affiliates, service providers, and background-check providers, and may transfer or store it internationally. You may receive recruitment-related SMS communications; you may opt out at any time. See our Candidate Data Privacy Notices for more information.

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Please note this job posting represents an open, active vacancy. Additionally, we are not currently accepting applications from third party application services.

Compensation Range: CA$137,300 - CA$181,890