Senior Electrical Systems Architect, Automotive

Rivian VW Group; Irvine, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies is seeking a senior Electrical Systems Architect to lead cross-domain electrical architecture for US-based programs. You will own multi-year technology roadmaps, guide R&D, and coordinate with partner OEM teams and suppliers.

The role requires 12+ years in electrical systems engineering, deep LV/HV expertise, and a proven ability to set technical standards across programs. This is a senior IC role with leadership responsibilities.

Qualifications

• BS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
• ~12+ years in electrical systems engineering on automotive or embedded products.
• Ownership of electrical architecture across multiple domains or programs, through to production.
• Deep expertise in LV/HV power systems, electrical distribution, and wiring harness design.
• Advanced requirements decomposition, interface definition, and validation strategy.
• Track record of setting technical standards adopted beyond an immediate team.
• Applied ISO 26262 functional safety experience in an electrical systems context.
• Ability to align technical and program stakeholders without direct authority.

Responsibilities

• Define the electrical architecture approach across domains: LV/HV power distribution, harness strategy, and electrical interface definitions.
• Set zonal topology strategy — the basis for zonal ECU count, placement, and device I/O allocation.
• Define LV power architecture standards: supply strategy, bus management, power modes, and fault handling.
• Establish methods for requirement decomposition, traceability, interface control, and mission profile development.
• Own the multi-year electrical technology roadmap, direct the supporting R&D, and make build, buy, and partner recommendations.
• Define validation strategy across unit, SIL, HIL, and vehicle-level testing; coordinate with partner OEM teams.
• Negotiate architecture positions that scale across Rivian and Volkswagen Group programs.
• Direct resolution of complex, cross-domain electrical issues.
• Set standards for schematic review, DFMEA, load and fault analysis, and ISO 26262 work products.
• Identify architectural problems and define work to address them.
• Mentor Senior and Staff engineers, and represent the electrical systems function in reviews.

Skills

Electrical architecture leadership

LV/HV power systems

Requirements decomposition

Cross-domain integration

Functional safety ISO 26262

Stakeholder alignment

Education

BS in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering

MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Circuit simulation tools (SPICE/Saber)

Electrical design tooling

Job description

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies is seeking a senior Electrical Systems Architect to lead cross-domain electrical architecture for US-based programs. You will own multi-year technology roadmaps, guide R&D, and coordinate with partner OEM teams and suppliers.

The role requires 12+ years in electrical systems engineering, deep LV/HV expertise, and a proven ability to set technical standards across programs. This is a senior IC role with leadership responsibilities.