Early Career - Development Engineer II

Watershed Ventures; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 93,000 - 116,000; Full time

Job summary

Rivian seeks a Vehicle Development Engineer II to own and execute projects across System Design and System Testing in our Palo Alto, CA site. You will work on end-to-end EV product development for prototype and production readiness, coordinating with cross-functional teams.

The role requires hands-on testing, strong fundamentals, and experience with CAN/Ethernet tools; occasional travel up to 10% is expected. Eligible for bonus and equity per policy.

Qualifications

• Strong grasp of engineering fundamentals across multiple disciplines.
• Understanding of ADAS system architecture and components.
• Comprehension of diagnostic and transducer theory of operation.
• Experience with CAN and automotive ETH analysis tools such as Vector CANalyzer, Vehicle Spy, PCAN-Explorer.
• Ability to read wiring diagrams and interact with CAD software.
• Familiarity with Systems Integration: EV fundamentals, ECU network architecture, device network protocols.
• Experience driving prototype vehicles.
• Experience with JAMA/JIRA/Confluence, GIT, Python/C, Unix/Linux, ECU Calibration tools.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate prototype vehicle functionality on public roads and closed courses.
• Transform observations into defined problem statements and drive investigations.
• Document defects and advocate for fast containment and resolution.
• Deep dive into early-development vehicle issues with unclear system-level sources.
• Perform Mule vehicle commissioning and functional checkouts.
• Test and document production candidate vehicle software for pre-release readiness.
• Deploy domain software to internal fleet for cross-functional validation.
• Support remote site testing in extreme environments and high-altitude conditions.
• Facilitate knowledge transfer to shop technicians and manufacturing teams.
• Travel up to 10% with short notice.

Skills

Engineering fundamentals

ADAS architecture

Diagnostics theory

CAN analysis

Wiring diagrams

System integration

Prototype driving

JIRA/Confluence

Git/Python/C

Unix/Linux

ECU Calibration

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

Tools

Vector CANalyzer

Vehicle Spy

PCAN-Explorer

CAD software

Job description

About Rivian

Rivian is on a mission to keep the world adventurous forever. This goes for the emissions-free Electric Adventure Vehicles we build, and the curious, courageous souls we seek to attract. As a company, we constantly challenge what's possible, never simply accepting what has always been done. We reframe old problems, seek new solutions and operate comfortably in areas that are unknown. Our backgrounds are diverse, but our team shares a love of the outdoors and a desire to protect it for future generations.

Role Summary

As a Vehicle Development Engineer II, you will own and execute varied projects supporting both ends of the System Design / System Testing layer of the V model for electric vehicle product development.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate prototype vehicle functionality on both public roads and closed courses.
• Transform high-level observations into defined problem statements and execute subsequent investigations.
• Document self-identified software and hardware defects thoroughly and advocate for fast containment and subsequent resolution.
• Deep dive vehicle-level issues in early-development vehicles with unclear system level source.
• Execute Mule vehicle commissioning and functional checkouts.
• Execute and document production candidate vehicle software testing to ensure functionality before release.
• Deploy leading edge domain software to the internal fleet for cross-functional validation.
• Support remote site testing in hot environments, cold environments, off-road environments, high altitudes, durability, or corrosion, emphasizing supporting vehicle uptime.
• Facilitate knowledge transfer to shop technicians and manufacturing teams.
• Travel up to 10%, occasionally with limited notice.

Qualifications

• Strong grasp of engineering fundamentals and first principles in a variety of disciplines.
• Understanding of ADAS system architecture and components.
• Comprehension of diagnostic and transducer theory of operation.
• Experience with CAN and automotive ETH analysis tools such as Vector CANalyzer, Vehicle Spy, PCAN-Explorer, etc.
• Ability to read wiring diagrams, and general schematics, and interact with CAD software.
• Familiarity with Systems Integration: Electric vehicle fundamentals, ECU network architecture, and various device network protocols.
• Experience driving prototype vehicles
• Experience with any of the following is a bonus: Atlassian (JAMA/JIRA/Confluence), GIT, Python/C (or some programming experience), Unix/Linux, ECU Calibration (Vector CANape, INCA)
• Bachelor's Degree in engineering: Mechanical, Aerospace, Software, Electrical, Mechatronics, or similar field 1-2+ years of automotive industry-specific or relevant engineering experience

Pay Disclosure

The salary range for this role is $93,000 - $116,300 for Palo Alto, California based applicants. This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee's position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, shift, and organizational needs. The successful candidate may be eligible for annual performance bonus and equity awards.

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits for full-time and part-time employees, their spouse or domestic partner, and children up to age 26, including but not limited to paid vacation, paid sick leave, and a competitive portfolio of insurance benefits including life, medical, dental, vision, short-term disability insurance, and long-term disability insurance to eligible employees. You may also have the opportunity to participate in Rivian's 401(k) Plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program if you meet certain eligibility requirements. Full-time employee coverage is effective on their first day of employment. Part-time employee coverage is effective the first of the month following 90 days of employment. More information about benefits is available at rivianbenefits.com.

Equal Opportunity

Rivian is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. 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. Rivian 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 and Technology

Candidate Data Privacy and Technology Rivian 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 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 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 affiliates; and (iii) Rivian's service providers, including providers of background checks, staffing services, and cloud services. Rivian may transfer or store internationally your Candidate Personal Data, including to or in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, 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.

How We Use AI in Our Hiring Process

How We Use AI in Our Hiring Process: To ensure transparency, we want candidates to know that Rivian uses iCIMS Talent Cloud Artificial Intelligence (TCAI) and AI-enabled tools to assist with screening, reviewing, organizing and highlighting profiles and applications that match the key requirements for each role. AI does not make hiring decisions: Qualified candidate applications are reviewed by a member of our team, and all decisions throughout the process are made by humans. We use AI to support efficiency and consistency, not to replace human judgment. We are committed to a fair, thoughtful, and equitable experience for every candidate. Participation in AI profile matching is entirely voluntary. If you prefer that your profile not be used in this process, you can opt out at any time. Opting out means your profile will be excluded from automated matching and will not be surfaced for additional roles through this system. Your current application remains active and will not be affected in any way. Please note that we are currently not accepting applications from third party application services.