Sr. Power Electronic Controls Engineer at Rivian California

Rivian; United States; On-site; USD 135,100 - 168,900; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Robust medical/Rx insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Job summary

Rivian seeks a Sr. Power Electronics Controls Engineer to lead the development of innovative power conversion systems. This role involves responsibility from concept through real‑world implementation, focusing on designing and optimizing control algorithms for various power electronics applications.

The ideal candidate must have a strong background in power electronics, experience with control algorithms, and proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink. This exciting opportunity is based in the United States and contributes to creating a cleaner and more efficient future.

Qualifications

• MSc with 3+ years of experience or PhD in Power Electronics or Controls.
• Strong understanding of AC/DC and DC/AC converters.
• Experience developing control algorithms for switching power converters.

Responsibilities

• Design and optimize control algorithms for power electronics applications.
• Utilize simulation tools to ensure optimal performance.
• Collaborate with engineers to achieve ambitious goals.

Skills

Power Electronics Control

MATLAB/Simulink

C/C++ programming

Python programming

Analytical skills

Education

MSc or PhD in Electrical Engineering

Tools

PLECS

Opal-RT

Typhoon HIL

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

Imagine being at the heart of the electric revolution. Our team is developing the intelligent control systems that power everything from lightning‑fast EV charging to smart home energy grids and the core power electronics within electric vehicles. We're not just building products; we're building a cleaner, more efficient future.

Your Role:

As a Sr. Power Electronics Controls Engineer, you'll be a key player in bringing these innovative power conversion systems to life. You'll be responsible for the entire journey of our control systems, from initial concepts to real‑world impact.

Responsibilities

• Pioneering Control: Designing and optimizing control algorithms for a diverse portfolio of power electronics applications, including EV chargers, bidirectional residential systems, and onboard vehicle power.
• Virtual Prototyping: Utilizing advanced simulation tools to evaluate circuit topologies and components, ensuring optimal performance and efficiency.
• Defining Intelligence: Translating application requirements into clear and effective controller specifications.
• Algorithm Innovation: Developing and implementing novel control strategies at both the system and component levels.
• Hands‑on Validation: Rigorously testing and troubleshooting your control algorithms in both simulated and physical hardware environments.
• Digital Twin Development: Creating detailed power electronics models to analyze and verify the robustness and performance of your controllers across all operating conditions.
• System Integration: Defining comprehensive tests to validate your algorithms and their interaction with other system features.
• Team Up: Collaborating closely with talented system, electrical, and software engineers to achieve ambitious goals.

Qualifications

• An MSc or PhD in Electrical Engineering specializing in Power Electronics or Controls (MSc with 3+ years of experience, PhD is a plus).
• A strong theoretical and practical understanding of power electronics control, with excellent analytical skills. You’re familiar with the inner workings of AC/DC, DC/AC and DC/DC resonant converter topologies (Vienna, Totem Pole, DAB, LLC, and CLLC are in your vocabulary).
• Demonstrated ability to navigate ambiguity and develop robust control algorithms from scratch, covering software architecture, implementation, integration, and testing.
• Proven experience in developing, implementing, and verifying control algorithms for switching power converters using both simulation and hardware platforms.
• Expertise in MATLAB/Simulink and experience with power converter modeling tools (e.g., PLECS) and real‑time simulation platforms (like Opal‑RT, Typhoon HIL).
• Solid programming skills in C/C++ and Python, with a focus on writing high‑quality code for embedded systems.
• A proactive, self‑driven attitude with a strong attention to detail and the ability to thrive in a dynamic, deadline‑oriented environment.

Pay Disclosure

• Salary Range for Southern California Based Applicants: $135,100 - $168,900 (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 employees, their spouse or domestic partner, and children up to age 26.

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 or interaction, security and preference information. Rivian may use your Candidate Personal Data for purposes such as tracking interactions with our recruiting system, carrying out, analyzing and improving our application and recruitment process, assessing you and your application and conducting employment, background and reference checks, establishing an employment relationship or entering into an employment contract with you, complying with our legal, regulatory and corporate governance obligations, recordkeeping, ensuring network and information security and preventing fraud, and as otherwise required or permitted by applicable law.

Rivian may share your Candidate Personal Data with 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, Rivian affiliates, and 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.