HIL Systems Engineer II

Rivian VW Group; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Rivian VW Group Technologies in Irvine, CA seeks an on-site HIL Engineer to design, develop, and maintain Hardware-In-the-Loop test systems for embedded vehicle controllers. You will validate control system behavior, confirm compliance with design specifications, and perform root cause analyses of hardware failures.

You will collaborate with subsystem and firmware engineers, contribute to HIL infrastructure improvements, and evaluate hardware APIs to meet simulation needs, while working in a

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical and electronics engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• 3+ years of experience with Hardware-in-the-Loop test systems or development work with DSPACE and NI VeriStand.
• 2+ years of experience with embedded control systems, vehicle subsystems, or HIL technologies, with knowledge of electrical safety practices.
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced environment with rapid root cause identification and corrective action implementation.
• Proficiency in automation scripting and control design using Python (Pytest) is a plus.
• Experience creating requirements from the ground up, with a strong hardware focus.
• Experience with CAN, CAN-FD, CAN over Ethernet, XCP, LIN, FlexRay.
• Strong problem-solving skills and clear communication of complex technical issues.

Responsibilities

• Design & develop Hardware-In-the-Loop (HIL) test systems for embedded vehicle controllers and understand sensing, measurement, and controls architecture.
• Setup, maintain and document the HIL infrastructure and conduct HIL testing to validate control system behavior against design specs.
• Work with subsystem and firmware engineers to ensure compliance with design specifications and project requirements.
• Collaborate with platform teams on new product architecture development to simulate design specs on HILs.
• Lead hardware failure analysis to determine root cause of HIL failures and document lessons learned.
• Develop and propose improvements to the HIL infrastructure to increase test coverage.

Skills

Hardware-in-the-Loop

Python (Pytest)

Embedded control

Root cause analysis

DSPACE

NI VeriStand

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Electronics Engineering

Tools

CANalyzer/CANoe

Oscilloscopes

DMMs

Power supplies

Jira

Job description

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

We are seeking a HIL Engineer to join our team in Irvine. In this on-site role, you will be a key player in designing, developing, and maintaining HIL test systems for our embedded vehicle control systems.

Your primary focus will be on validating control system behavior, ensuring compliance with design specifications, and working closely with our subsystem and firmware engineers. You will also use your expertise in HIL infrastructure to perform root cause analysis of hardware failures and propose improvements to increase test coverage.

Responsibilities

• Design & develop Hardware-In-the-Loop (HIL) test systems for embedded vehicle controllers and become familiar with the underlying sensing, measurement, and controls architecture.

• Setup, maintain and document the Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) infrastructure and conduct HIL testing to validate control system behavior against design specifications and project requirements.

• Work with subsystem and firmware engineers ensuring compliance with design specifications and project requirements.

• Collaborate with the platform teams responsible for new product architecture development (system architecture, actuator and contactor control, electrical safety, and fault/overcurrent protection) to simulate the design specification on HILs.

• Lead hardware failure analysis to determine root cause of Hardware-In-the-Loop failures and document lessons learned.

• Develop and propose improvements to the Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) infrastructure that can aid in increasing the test coverage.

• Work with HIL firmware engineers to evaluate HIL hardware APIs for the simulation needs.

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree in electrical & electronics engineering, or a related engineering discipline.

• 3+ years of experience with Hardware-in-the-Loop test systems, or development work in tools such as DSPACE and NI VeriStand.

• 2 years of experience working with embedded control systems, vehicle subsystems, or HIL technologies, and knowledge of electrical safety practices (including high voltage where applicable).

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with focus on rapid root cause identification and corrective action implementation.

• Proficiency in automation scripting and control design using Python(Pytest) is a plus.

• Experience creating requirements from the ground up, using engineering analysis, with a strong focus on hardware.

• Experience with communication protocols, CAN, XCP, LIN, FlexRay, CAN-FD and CAN over Ethernet.

• Excellent problem-solving skills; reliant on first principles engineering approach and common sense, with a proven track record.

• Familiar with DMMs, power supplies, oscilloscopes and crimp tools.

• Experience with vehicle communication bus tools such as CANalyzer/CANoe.

• Strong communication skills verbally, written, and through presentation to communicate complex technical issues to diverse audiences.

• Experience with issue tracking tools (Jira, Bugzilla, etc.).

Total Rewards

We build the exceptional — and we believe the people doing that work should be rewarded accordingly. In addition to a competitive base salary, full-time positions may be is eligible to participate in our annual company performance bonus program.

Payments are discretionary and not guaranteed; actual amounts depend on company results and the terms of the plan in effect, and require active employment at the time of payout. This role is also eligible for equity in the form of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), subject to board approval and the terms of our equity incentive plans, including applicable vesting requirements.

In addition to our compensation programs, we invest in our people with a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the health, wellbeing, and financial future for full-time employees — including health coverage, retirement savings, time off, and family planning programs. Offerings vary by country. Learn more about our global benefit programs

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 [e-mail].

Candidate Data Privacy

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) record keeping; (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.

If you provide a mobile telephone number as part of your application or during the recruitment process, Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies may use that number to contact you via SMS text message for recruitment-related purposes, including scheduling, logistics, and status updates. Message and data rates may apply. You may opt out of SMS communications at any time by replying STOP to any text message you receive from us. Consent to receive SMS messages is not a condition of applying for or being considered for employment.

Please see our Candidate Data Privacy Notice (English)and Candidate Data Privacy Notice (Serbian) 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.