Software Engineer, Telematics

Rivian VW Group; Palo Alto, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

RSUs

Equity incentive plans

Health coverage

Job summary

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies is seeking a Software Engineer proficient in Modern C++ (C++20 and above) and/or Rust to join our embedded systems team in Palo Alto. You will design, develop, and maintain software for resource-constrained platforms with a strong emphasis on correctness and unit testing using GTest/GMock.

You will work on cross-functional projects involving OS concepts, networking, and data serialization with Protobuf, while applying security practices like mTLS and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.
• 3+ years of experience in software engineering, with a focus on embedded systems.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as C/C++ or Rust
• Strong background in distributed systems, networking, and real-time communication protocols (NATs, MQTT, HTTPs, gRPC).
• Experience working with Linux-based systems.
• Excellent problem-solving abilities with a strong capacity to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team.
• Effective communication skills for cross-functional collaboration with engineering and business teams.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain embedded software applications using Modern C++ (C++11 or later). Familiarity and experience with Rust is a plus.
• Ensure code quality through comprehensive unit testing (GTest, GMock) and adherence to coding standards.
• Develop and maintain software for embedded systems with expertise in operating system concepts (e.g., memory management, concurrency, multi-threading).
• Optimize performance in resource-constrained environments.
• Strong knowledge of embedded databases, TCP/IP stack, and middleware components such as NATs, MQTT, HTTPs gRPC.
• Work with data serialization technologies such as Protocol Buffers (Protobuf).
• Implement communication protocols and security standards such as mTLS.

Skills

Modern C++

Rust

Operating system concepts

Embedded systems

GTest/GMock

TCP/IP networking

Protocol Buffers (Protobuf)

mTLS security

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in CS/Software Engineering

Tools

GTest

GMock

Bazel

CAN

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 highly skilled Software Engineer proficient in Modern C++ (C++20 and above) and/or Rust to join our team. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of operating system concepts and the ability to write efficient, high-quality code in resource‑constrained environments. You will work on cutting‑edge systems, develop robust unit tests (GTest, GMock), and contribute to high‑impact embedded software projects.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain embedded software applications using Modern C++ (C++11 or later). Familiarity and experience with Rust is a plus.

• Ensure code quality through comprehensive unit testing (GTest, GMock) and adherence to coding standards.

• Develop and maintain software for embedded systems with expertise in operating system concepts (e.g., memory management, concurrency, multi‑threading).

• Optimize performance in resource‑constrained environments.

• Strong knowledge of embedded databases, TCP/IP stack, and middleware components such NATs, MQTT, HTTPs gRPC.

• Work with data serialization technologies such as Protocol Buffers (Protobuf).

• Implement communication protocols and security standards such as mTLS.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.

• 3+ years of experience in software engineering, with a focus on embedded systems.

• Proficiency in programming languages such as C/C++ or Rust

• Strong background in distributed systems, networking, and real‑time communication protocols (NATs, MQTT, HTTPs, gRPC).

• Experience working with Linux-based systems.

• Excellent problem‑solving abilities with a strong capacity to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team.

• Effective communication skills for cross‑functional collaboration with engineering and business teams.

Preferred skills

• Familiarity with modern build systems such as Bazel

• Experience working on vehicle communication protocols (e.g., CAN, Ethernet, UDS).

• Automotive industry experience or familiarity with automotive‑grade software development is a plus.

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.