Software Engineering Intern - Vehicle Controls (Fall 2026)

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 41,328 - 55,104; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Base salary and performance bonus

Equity eligibility

Local market benefits

Job summary

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies is seeking a Software Engineering Intern in Irvine, CA, to implement and validate embedded software for critical vehicle functions. The role includes development on energy management systems and embedded system reliability.

Candidates should be enrolled in a relevant degree program and possess proficiency in C/C++ and/or Python. This full-time internship runs from September 21 to December 18 and offers valuable industry experience.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a relevant degree program at an accredited US university.
• Proficiency in C/C++ and/or Python essential.

Responsibilities

• Implement and validate embedded software for vehicle systems.
• Develop features for battery and energy management systems.
• Contribute to automated testing of software components.

Skills

C/C++ proficiency

Python proficiency

Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS)

CAN, LIN, UDS, DoIP protocols experience

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s program in Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

Microcontrollers

PID controllers

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

As a Software Engineering Intern, you will be an integral part of the Vehicle Control Systems Organization, responsible for implementing and validating low-level embedded software for critical vehicle functions such as Energy Storage & Distribution (ES&D), power modes, or foundational motion control features. You will work in a dynamic environment, applying your expertise in real-time programming and system fundamentals to ensure the safety and reliability of our electronic control units (ECUs).

Program Details

• Timeline: Full-time, September 21 – December 18
• Location: Palo Alto, CA or Irvine, CA

By submitting a single application to this posting, you will be considered for all of the following internship tracks:

• Software Engineering Intern – Embedded Software
• Software Engineering Intern – Controls Test & Automation (including Lighting)
• Software Engineering Intern – Thermal Controls
• Software Engineering Intern – Systems Engineering
• Software Engineering Intern – Charging
• Technical Program Management Intern

Responsibilities

• Implement and validate embedded software for vehicle systems, such as battery and energy management systems.
• Develop features for low and high voltage systems, including power and current distribution, DC/DC controls, or fault detection and recovery.
• Design scalable software architectures with a focus on embedded system reliability and performance.
• Contribute to the automated testing framework by writing automated tests for software components, utilizing Unit, Software-in-the-Loop (SIL), and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) environments.
• Contribute to the design, development, and implementation of highly complex systems spanning multiple domains.
• Work with systems engineers to define feature requirements and collaborate with test engineers to test, validate, and debug algorithms before deployment.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s or Master’s program in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or a closely related technical field at an accredited US university with the intent to return to school following completion of internship.
• Proficiency in C/C++ and/or Python.

Preferred Qualifications

• Actively pursuing a degree.
• Experience working in a Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS) environment.
• Experience working with CAN, LIN, UDS, DoIP communication protocols.
• Experience with Microcontroller and PID (proportional–integral–derivative controller).
• Experience working with advanced 32-bit multi-core microcontrollers.

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.

External candidates can apply for this role through the Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies careers site (https://rivianvw.tech/#careers). If you are a current employee, please apply through our internal job board.

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.

Accessibility

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) 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.

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