Senior Electrical Systems Engineer

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies in Irvine, CA is seeking an Electrical Hardware Systems Engineer to develop vehicle electrical hardware architectures across propulsion, body, thermal and safety domains. The role requires strong fundamentals and an electronic hardware background, with a mix of computer work and hands-on activities.

This cross‑functional position involves collaboration with software and domain teams, occasional travel, and it reports directly to an Engineering Manager.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (electrical or systems).
• 4+ years of electrical engineering and systems experience.
• Dive deep into electrical first principles in fast-paced environments.
• Experience reading electrical schematics and wiring diagrams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication for technical topics.
• Familiarity with Python or scripting languages.
• Proficiency with test and measurement tools (Oscilloscope, Power Supplies, Data Loggers).

Responsibilities

• Support feature development from user stories and vehicle requirements.
• Own hardware system requirements and design through interface and components.
• Develop and support verification and validation test plans and procedures.
• Apply first principles to solve problems for performance and cost improvements.
• Analyze new technology options and conduct trade studies for designs.
• Leverage experience to define work scope beyond simply executing tasks.
• Perform other duties within the position scope.

Skills

Electrical engineering fundamentals

Python scripting

Schematics reading

Communication skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in electrical or systems engineering

Tools

Oscilloscope

Power supplies

Data loggers

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

This role is responsible for the development of vehicle electrical hardware systems and architecture, across various technology domains (dynamics/propulsion, body, thermal, passive safety, etc). It requires strong fundamentals and an electronic hardware background. The role is highly cross functional and will be a mixture of computer, hands on, and may include occasional travel. The opening will be located at the Irvine office and reports directly to an Engineering Manager.

Responsibilities

• Support feature development and decomposition down to the architecture and system level, starting from user stories and vehicle requirements, with support from domain and software counterparts.

• Own requirements and design of the hardware system, ensuring successful implementation down through the interface and component level as the ultimate electrical physical layer expert and advocate.

• Develop, and support execution of, verification and validation test plans and procedures.

• Utilize first principles in electrical engineering and physics to solve problems with unique and innovative solutions to improve performance and cost.

• Analyze and advise on new technology options and conducting trade studies for different designs.

• Leveraging experience to define what needs to be done more than taking direction and executing.

• Performs other duties as required or assigned within the scope of the position_._

Qualifications

• Education Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in engineering (ideally in the area of electrical or systems engineering)

• Experience (or equivalent): 4+ years industry work in electrical engineering and systems

• Ability to dive deep into electrical first principles and work in fast-paced and challenging environments.

• Experience with reading electrical schematics and electrical wiring/distribution diagrams

• Excellent written and verbal communication for turning complex technical topics into understandable language

• Familiarity with python and/or scripting languages

• Proficiency in necessary test and measurement tools (Oscilloscope, Power Supplies, Data Loggers)

Total Rewards

Full-time positions include base salary, eligibility for an annual performance bonus, and eligibility for equity.

In addition to base salary, Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies offers benefits tailored to the local market. For more information on the benefits available for full-time employees, check out our Global Benefits Site.

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.

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