Senior Vehicle Motion Control Engineer

Rivian VW Group; Irvine (CA); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies seeks an experienced Systems Engineer in Irvine to own end-to-end motion control features across programs, deciding interfaces and allocating software responsibilities. You will define architectures, write requirements, and drive DFMEAs with ISO 26262 alignment, while coordinating across VB and RVT teams.

The role requires strong system engineering, safety adherence, and hands-on validation across SIL/HIL testing, with travel to partner sites as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Mechanical, Electrical, Automotive, Mechatronics or Controls Engineering (Master's preferred).
• 8+ years of systems engineering experience with a focus on vehicle dynamics, chassis controls or brake systems, including taking a feature from concept to production release.
• Experience with automotive networks and interface definition — CAN / CAN FD, FlexRay, LIN, automotive Ethernet, and ARXML or DBC-based signal definition.
• Validation experience at SIL, HIL, component or vehicle levels, including test case development and defect separation; Python scripting.
• Understanding of ISO 26262 functional safety guidelines and DFMEA/STPA processes.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end system definition for a portfolio of vehicle motion control features across multiple vehicle programs and software packages with focus on Traction Control, All-Wheel Drive and Torque Vectoring functionalities.
• Define the logical architecture, boundary diagrams, function allocation, state machines, sequence diagrams and theory of operation for each feature, and keep them current as the platform evolves.
• Support development of plant models for Propulsion & Vehicle Dynamics components where necessary.
• Develop and release requirements at vehicle, system and component level with full traceability from feature requirement through software requirement to test case.
• Drive functional allocation decisions across zonal controllers, brake ECUs and secondary ECUs, producing written trade studies that weigh regulatory compliance, functional safety, supplier vs in-house ownership, and simulated vehicle behavior.
• Own interface and signal-level definition — raise and review network signal change requests and specify CAN FD, FlexRay and backbone Ethernet signals.

Skills

Vehicle dynamics

System engineering

Requirement tracing

Python scripting

AI coding assistants

Regulatory knowledge (ISO 26262)

Communication

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in Mechanical, Electrical, Automotive, Mechatronics or Controls Engineering

Tools

CAN / CAN FD / FlexRay / Automotive Ethernet

ARXML / DBC-based signal definition

Jama / Flow / DOORS

XCP / CANape

MBSE tools

Job description

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies seeks an experienced Systems Engineer in Irvine to own end-to-end motion control features across programs, deciding interfaces and allocating software responsibilities. You will define architectures, write requirements, and drive DFMEAs with ISO 26262 alignment, while coordinating across VB and RVT teams.

The role requires strong system engineering, safety adherence, and hands-on validation across SIL/HIL testing, with travel to partner sites as needed.