Sr. Software Validation and HIL Engineer, Power Electronics

Rivian; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 135,000 - 168,000; Full time

Job summary

Rivian is seeking an experienced HIL testing engineer to lead the design, development, and maintenance of Hardware‑in‑the‑Loop platforms and related test frameworks. You will collaborate with controls and software teams to define test requirements, create cases, execute tests, and ensure traceability to requirements.

You will drive regression testing automation, validate power electronics software, and help shape continuous improvement across testing tools and processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or related discipline; master’s preferred.
• 5+ years of experience with HIL specification, design, and implementation.
• 5+ years of experience with test case design, automation, and execution.
• Deep knowledge of HIL and real‑time testing software tools such as Typhoon, NI, OPAL‑RT, dSPACE, or similar.
• Proficiency in Python and C; experience with Py‑Test for modular test infrastructure.
• Experience integrating 3rd‑party Python toolboxes to improve test automation.
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines, build tools, and test automation in embedded contexts.

Responsibilities

• HIL Model Setup: Design and build HIL environments representing real-world behavior of power electronics.
• Test Case Development: Create comprehensive test cases for various operating conditions and safety requirements.
• Test Execution and Analysis: Run HIL tests, analyze data, document issues, and report results.
• Automation of regression tests across software development cycles and CI/CD integration.
• Software Validation: Validate functionality, performance, and safety of power electronics software and control algorithms.
• Troubleshooting: Resolve issues identified during HIL testing with hardware and software teams.
• Triage: Debug failed test cases between HIL issues and software bugs.
• Continuous Improvement: Improve HIL models, testing processes, tools, and methodologies.
• Documentation: Maintain test setups, cases, results, and traceability from requirements to validation.

Skills

HIL experience

Python

C

PyTest

CI/CD pipelines

Test automation

Embedded testing

CANalyzer/CANape

Oscilloscope

Bazel/Jenkins/Docker

Education

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Typhoon

NI

OPAL-RT

dSPACE

Jenkins

Docker

SCons

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

Our team develops firmware and controls for a wide range of power conversion systems, used in both automotive and energy applications (e.g., DC fast chargers, residential bidirectional chargers, onboard power electronics). We’re looking for a candidate to lead the design, development, and maintenance of our Hardware‑in‑the‑Loop (HIL) development platforms, tools, and infrastructure. The role involves driving the implementation of our software test framework, collaborating with controls and software developers to define test requirements, create test cases, execute and analyze test results, and ensure traceability of test cases to requirements.

Responsibilities

• HIL Model Setup: Design and build HIL environments that accurately represent the real‑world behavior of our power electronics products.
• Test Case Development: Develop comprehensive test cases that cover a wide range of operating conditions, fault scenarios, and functional safety requirements.
• Test Execution and Analysis: Execute HIL tests, collect and analyze data, identify and document issues, and provide clear and concise reports to development teams.
• Automation of regression tests execution at different stages of software development cycles and its integration with CI/CD workflow/pipelines.
• Software Validation: Collaborate with controls and software engineers to validate the functionality, performance, and safety of power electronics software and control algorithms.
• Troubleshooting and Debugging: Assist in troubleshooting and debugging issues identified during HIL testing, working closely with hardware and software teams to resolve problems.
• Triage and debug the failed test cases between HIL related failures and software bugs.
• Continuous Improvement: Contribute to the continuous improvement of HIL models, testing processes, tools, and methodologies.
• Documentation: Maintain clear and detailed documentation of test setups, test cases, test results, and any issues encountered. Manage the traceability of test coverage from requirements to validation at different granularity levels of requirements on the HIL with growing SW maturity levels. Report on the test coverage improvements to the team regularly.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or a related discipline. Master’s degree preferred.
• 5+ years of experience with HIL specification, design, and implementation.
• 5+ years of experience with test case design, automation, and execution.
• Deep knowledge of HIL and real‑time testing software tools such as Typhoon, NI, OPAL‑RT dSPACE, or similar.
• Ability to optimize software build and test workflow using scripting languages such as Python, Perl, or Unix shell.
• Ability to develop test cases from bare minimum or ambiguous requirements.
• Practical experience programming in Python and C.
• Experience with Py‑Test in developing modular and scalable software test and automation infrastructure for embedded and real‑time control applications.
• Comfortable with integrating and using 3rd‑party Python toolboxes/packages to improve test and automation infrastructure.
• Experience with flash tools and software release pipelines.
• Experience with developing, integrating and maintaining CI/CD pipelines into test and automation infrastructure for a code base with many users.
• Experience with automation and build tools (Bazel, Jenkins, Docker, SCons).
• Hands‑on experience using test equipment and validation tools (CANalyzer, CANape, or similar XCP/CCP interface tools, JTAG/DAP interface debuggers).
• Comfortable with using schematics and layout files to understand design information.
• Comfortable with using oscilloscope and basic probing tools for debugging purposes.

Pay Disclosure

The salary range for this role is $135,000 - $168,000 annually for Southern California based applicants. This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, shift, and organizational needs. The successful candidate may be eligible for annual performance bonus and equity awards.

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits for full‑time and part‑time employees, their spouse or domestic partner, and children up to age 26, including but not limited to paid vacation, paid sick leave, and a competitive portfolio of insurance benefits including life, medical, dental, vision, short‑term disability insurance, and long‑term disability insurance to eligible employees. Full‑time employee coverage is effective on their first day of employment. Part‑time employee coverage is effective the first of the month following 90 days of employment. Full benefit details are available at rivianbenefits.com.

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.