Sr. Electronics Design and Characterization Engineer (Zonal BMS)

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Retirement savings

Time off

Family planning programs

Job summary

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies seeks an Electronics Test and Validation specialist to drive module‑level validation for RV Tech ECUs, with emphasis on Zonal controllers. You will review schematics early, optimize verification methods, and ensure peak performance through deep low‑level electronics expertise.

You will write automation scripts in Python, analyze AI‑assisted data, and partner with HW/SW teams to flash, test, and troubleshoot firmware across complex automotive power domains.

Qualifications

• BS/MS or equivalent in Electrical Engineering or related field.
• 7+ years of electronics design, characterization and validation testing.
• Experience with lab instrumentation (oscilloscopes, power supplies, electronic loads, DMMs, DAQ, SMU, current probes).
• Strong fundamentals in circuit analysis and EE principles.
• Scripting and data analysis with Python; AI tool usage for test code and data eval.

Responsibilities

• Develop design verification and characterization test plans for ECU programs.
• Execute characterization tests per project milestones.
• Own test coverage reports and analysis.
• Perform bench-level characterization at IC and PCBA levels; analyze drivers, switching, and thermal derating.
• Lead battery/electronics diagnostics and safety related tests; support DFx/DFT reports.

Skills

Electrical engineering fundamentals

Python scripting

AI tools usage

Design verification

Characterization testing

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

BS/MS in Electrical Engineering or equivalent

Tools

Altium Designer

LTspice

PSpice

Databricks

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

The Electronics Test and Validation team owns the module‑level validation testing for all RV Tech electronic control units (ECUs). It is our responsibility to make sure RV Tech electronics are designed and manufactured correctly. With this goal in mind, we develop scalable tools, processes, hardware, and software solutions deployed for characterization, validation, and manufacturing.

In this role, you will be a key individual contributor driving both design review and hardware characterization for vehicle electronics, with a particular focus on Zonal ECUs. You are not just assessing finished boards—you will actively review schematics alongside the EE design team early in the cycle, providing critical feedback to optimize the design and architect best‑in‑class verification methods. Because Zonal controllers feature high‑density I/O and complex power switching (high‑side/low‑side drivers, e‑fuses, PWM/H‑bridges, and diagnostic circuits), success requires deep expertise in low‑level electronics and circuit analysis. You will work cross‑functionally across hardware engineering to ensure our electronics are built for peak performance, reliability, and seamless bench verification.

Responsibilities

• Develop detailed design verification and characterization test plans and test requirements for all phases of ECU programs, with input from reliability, design, and firmware teams.

• Execute characterization testing plans according to project milestones.

• Own test coverage reports and analysis.

• Perform bench‑level characterization at IC and PCBA levels, including high‑side driver (HSD) and low‑side driver behavior, output current and voltage limits, switching characteristics, wetting current, inrush and inductive kickback, current sense accuracy, quiescent and sleep current, and thermal derating.

• Characterize protection and diagnostic behavior across fault conditions: open load, short to battery, short to ground, pin‑to‑pin shorts, over‑current, over‑voltage, reverse polarity, and load dump — and verify the ECU reports the correct diagnostics.

• Lead the electronic fuse testing efforts for Zonal ECUs, including I2T characterization, repeatability across temperature, and correlation to design intent.

• Provide early feedback to design engineers regarding design decisions and testability.

• Support creation and present Design for Testability (DFT) reports for ECU designs.

• Follow characterization schedules and communicate status with upper management and cross‑functional teams.

• Write automation scripts and instrumentation drivers to speed up characterization testing using Python, using AI coding agents to accelerate development while owning code quality, review, and validation.

• Leverage AI tooling to analyze characterization datasets at scale — surfacing parametric drift, part‑to‑part and temperature‑dependent variation, outliers, and failure clustering — and turn those findings into concrete design or test recommendations, with sound judgment about verifying AI‑generated conclusions before acting on them.

• Work with software engineers to flash, test, and troubleshoot firmware.

• Participate in the cross‑functional effort to root cause non‑compliance test results during testing by leveraging data analysis, and drive design, firmware, and test partners to closure on findings.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS/MS or equivalent work experience in Electrical Engineering or related field.

• 7+ years of experience in electronics design, characterization and validation testing.

• Experience using lab instrumentation like oscilloscopes, power supplies, electronic loads, digital multimeters, DAQ, source measure units, current probes, and switch matrices.

• Strong understanding of Electrical Engineering fundamentals and circuit analysis.

• Experience in scripting and data analysis using Python.

• Demonstrated use of AI tools (Claude, Claude Code, Copilot, Cursor, or similar) to write and refactor test code and to analyze characterization data, with sound judgment about where AI‑generated work needs human verification.

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands‑on characterization experience with zonal/body controllers, power distribution or e‑fuse modules, or motor/actuator drivers.

• Familiar with low‑level firmware and C programming.

• Experience with Altium Designer.

• Working knowledge of vehicle electrical systems and communication buses (Ethernet, SPI, CAN, LIN, SENT, etc.) and diagnostic protocols (UDS, XCP).

• Experience in developing automated test setups.

• Experience designing custom PCBAs, load emulation boards, or high‑current test fixtures.

• Practical understanding of automotive power fundamentals: load dump and transient immunity (ISO 7637 / ISO 16750), inrush and inductive kickback, current sensing methods (shunt vs. Hall), grounding and return path design, thermal derating, and measurement uncertainty.

• Familiarity with ISO 26262 functional safety concepts and characterization evidence for ASIL‑rated components.

• Experience in Databricks or similar environment.

• Proficient with using electronics simulation applications such as LTspice, PSpice, SIMetrix

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 —

• health coverage
• retirement savings
• time off
• 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