Sr. Climate Controls Engineer

Rivian VW Group; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flex Time Off

Retirement savings plans

Medical, vision and dental coverage

Job summary

Rivian VW Group in Irvine, CA is looking for a dedicated Climate Controls Engineer to develop and integrate control systems for vehicle comfort. This role involves responsibilities such as architectural design for HVAC systems, embedded software development in C, and collaboration on unified solutions across brands. An ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in engineering, at least 3 years of applicable experience, and a strong foundation in control theory. The position offers a competitive compensation package and benefits.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in automotive or aerospace controls development.
• Experience in firmware integration and vehicle-level testing.
• Willingness to travel up to 10% as required.

Responsibilities

• Develop embedded software in C for automotive ECUs.
• Orchestrate HVAC software architecture and feature design.
• Create test cases and scripts to validate features.

Skills

Controls development

C programming

Thermodynamics

PID tuning

HVAC components knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in electrical or mechanical engineering

Tools

Jira

Vector CANalyzer

Vector CANape

Python

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 dedicated and innovative Climate Controls Engineer to join our software development team. This role is integral to the development and integration of control systems for vehicle features including cabin cooling, cabin heating, and actuator control development. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in electrical or mechanical engineering, with a focus on automotive or aerospace control systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop embedded software in C for automotive ECUs.
• Architect and develop control systems for HVAC including airflow and comfort models to be executed on embedded controllers.
• Orchestrate HVAC software architecture and feature design.
• Collaborate with cabin comfort teams across brands to drive unified solutions across programs.
• Review requirements and produce high‑level functional specification designs for control solutions.
• Create test cases and scripts to validate features in unit test, Software‑in‑the‑Loop (SIL) test, and Hardware‑in‑the‑Loop (HIL) test environments.
• Develop intuitive diagnostic interfaces for controllers to facilitate troubleshooting and maintenance.
• Utilize a multidisciplinary approach to troubleshoot functional problems within our vehicles by addressing root causes across physical, electrical, and software domains.
• Prioritize and elevate issues based on user impact and program objectives for prompt resolution.
• Project Management: Oversee multiple projects, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to specifications, while managing resources and budgets effectively.
• Mentor and guide junior engineers, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and knowledge sharing within the engineering team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or mechanical engineering.
• 3+ years of experience working with controls development, integration, or calibration – automotive or aerospace experience preferred.
• Knowledgeable about control theory principles & algorithm design like compensator design and PID tuning.
• Familiar with fundamentals of heat transfer, thermodynamics, and/or human comfort.
• Familiar with thermal and/or HVAC components including, but not limited to, water pumps, AC compressors, expansion valves, blower fans, and HVAC modules.
• Development experience using C, C++, Rust, and/or Python.
• Working experience in firmware integration, calibration, vehicle‑level testing, and/or software debugging at the feature level.
• Working experience with requirements management tools (Jama, Doors, or equivalent) preferred.
• Working experience with issue tracking tools (Jira or equivalent) preferred.
• Working experience with communication bus monitoring tools (Vector CANalyzer or equivalent) preferred.
• Working experience with software calibration tools (Vector CANape, ETAS INCA, or equivalent) preferred.
• Working experience with developing automated test cases in the unit testing, SIL, and/or HIL environment; Pytest, OpenHTF, or equivalent experience preferred.
• Willingness to travel up to 10% as required.

Total Rewards

Total compensation packages for full‑time positions include base salary, eligibility for an annual performance bonus, and eligibility for equity.

In addition, our benefits package has been designed to support the health and wellness of our employees. Benefit offerings include Flex Time Off, retirement savings plans as well as medical, vision and dental coverage. For more information on RV Tech’s comprehensive benefits package for full‑time employees.

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 or domestic partner status, age, military or 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].