Sr. Electronic Design Engineer, Sensing Systems

Rivian; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 132,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Robust medical/Rx, dental and vision insurance

Coverage starts on the first day of employment

Benefits extended to family members

Job summary

An innovative electric vehicle company in Palo Alto seeks a Sr. Design Engineer to drive the architecture and development of advanced sensing systems for autonomous vehicles. The role requires expertise in hardware systems engineering, seamless sensor integration, and collaboration with software teams. A Bachelor's or Master's degree in a related field, along with strong programming skills, is essential. The position offers an annual salary ranging from $132,000 to $165,000, along with comprehensive benefits for employees and their families.

Qualifications

• Expert proficiency with Python and strong C++ skills for performance-critical production code.
• System-level knowledge of signal interfaces and protocols like CAN and Ethernet.
• Highly effective communication and teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the integration of ADAS sensors into vehicle platforms.
• Develop and execute system-level test plans for real-world conditions.
• Drive issue triage across hardware, firmware, and mechanical domains.

Skills

Expert proficiency with Python

Strong C++ skills

System and algorithmic optimization

Understanding of signal interfaces and protocols

Familiarity with test equipment

Familiarity with sensor fusion algorithms

Working knowledge of sensor modeling

Effective communication

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field

Tools

Sensor fusion algorithms

Deep learning frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow)

Job description

About Rivian

Rivian is on a mission to keep the world adventurous forever. This goes for the emissions‑free Electric Adventure Vehicles we build, and the curious, courageous souls we seek to attract.

As a company, we constantly challenge what's possible, never simply accepting what has always been done. We reframe old problems, seek new solutions and operate comfortably in areas that are unknown. Our backgrounds are diverse, but our team shares a love of the outdoors and a desire to protect it for future generations.

Role Summary

As a Sr. Design Engineer within Rivian's Sensing Systems Team, you will be a core contributor to the architecture, development, deployment, and optimization of advanced sensing systems driving safety‑critical, customer‑facing features for Rivian's autonomous vehicles. This role is deeply technical and hands‑on, requiring a strong background in hardware systems engineering, sensor bring‑up, vehicle integration, and cross‑domain debugging. You will be responsible for ensuring sensors function reliably and meet system‑level performance targets under real‑world operating conditions.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to hardware integration and validation of all ADAS sensors (camera, radar, LiDAR) into prototype and production vehicle platforms.
• Own the sensor SW interface definition, including ethernet / MIPI / CAN frame formats and PTP timesync.
• Own the sensor FW development and sensor bring‑up, including functional validation and failure analysis.
• Work closely with perception, controls, and embedded software teams to ensure sensor data integrity and system alignment.
• Develop and execute system‑level test plans, including lab validation, vehicle‑level testing, and environmental stress screening (thermal, vibration, EMI/EMC).
• Implement and refine sensor calibration and alignment processes, including static and dynamic calibration for multi‑modal fusion readiness.
• Drive issue triage and resolution across HW, FW, and mechanical domains with a rigorous, data‑driven approach.
• Support sensor supplier selection, evaluation, and bring‑up, including root cause analysis on field failures or yield issues.
• Maintain ownership of integration documentation, test artifacts, and interface control specifications.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Expert proficiency with Python, strong C++ skills for performance‑critical, production code.
• System and algorithmic optimization, robust software engineering best practices, and empirical performance analysis.
• Understanding of signal interfaces and protocols: CAN, Ethernet, SPI, MIPI, and synchronization methods (PTP, PPS).
• Familiarity with test equipment (oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, power analyzers), as well as vehicle data loggers and network analyzers.
• Familiarity with sensor fusion algorithms and the impact of physical alignment, timing, and data integrity.
• Working knowledge of sensor modeling and simulation tools.
• Highly effective communicator and team collaborator; demonstrated ability to partner across technical specialties and organizational boundaries to deliver end‑to‑end solutions.

Preferred:

• Hands‑on experience integrating camera, radar, and LiDAR sensors in automotive or robotics platforms.
• Familiarity with one or more deep learning frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow)
• Experience with vehicle integration and on‑road validation, including structured debug of real‑world sensor performance issues.

Pay Disclosure

Salary Range for Palo Alto, CA based applicants: $132,000 - $165,000 annually (Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, location and other factors permitted by law).

Benefits Summary: Rivian provides robust medical/Rx, dental and vision insurance packages for full‑time and part‑time employees, their spouse or domestic partner, and children up to age 26. Full Time Employee coverage is effective on the first day of employment. Part‑Time employee coverage is effective the first of the month following 90 days of employment.

Equal Opportunity

Rivian is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. 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.

Rivian 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 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 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) recordkeeping; (vi) ensuring network and information security and preventing fraud; and (vii) as otherwise required or permitted by applicable law.

Rivian 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 affiliates; and (iii) Rivian's service providers, including providers of background checks, staffing services, and cloud services.

Rivian may transfer or store internationally your Candidate Personal Data, including to or in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, 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.

Please note that we are currently not accepting applications from third party application services.