Senior Electrical Systems Architect — Lead Vehicle Architecture

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies

Irvine (CA)

On-site

USD 218,000 - 300,000

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies seeks a senior Electrical Systems Engineer to define cross-domain electrical architecture for US programs and to own the multi-year technology roadmap. You will lead complex decisions with partner OEMs and suppliers, shaping the electrical backbone of software-defined vehicles.

The role emphasizes setting standards for LV/HV power, validation strategies across SIL/HIL, and mentoring Sr.

Qualifications

BS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field
~12+ years in electrical systems engineering on automotive or comparable complex 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: low- and high-voltage (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 the methods used 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, software-in-the-loop (SIL), hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), and vehicle-level testing, including coverage and responsibility boundaries with partner OEM teams
Negotiate architecture positions that scale across both 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 functional safety work products
Identify architectural problems the organization has not yet framed, and define the work required to address them
Mentor Senior and Staff engineers, and represent the electrical systems function in program and leadership reviews