Sr. Test Automation Engineer - Functional Safety

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 135,100 - 168,900; Full time

Job summary

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies in Irvine, California is seeking a specialist to design and maintain automated test frameworks ensuring safety mechanisms function correctly. You will work closely with functional safety engineers and utilize various automotive test environments.

Ideal candidates should have over 5 years of experience in the automotive industry with hands-on automated testing. A degree in an engineering discipline and proficiency in relevant tools are essential for this role.

This full-time position offers a competitive salary range of $135.1K - $168.9K, along with performance bonuses and equity.

Qualifications

• Over 5 years of experience in the automotive industry with at least 2 years focused on test automation.
• Strong hands-on experience in developing automated test scripts.
• Good understanding of vehicle system functionality across multiple domains.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain automated test frameworks for functional safety.
• Implement fault injection test strategies on various setups.
• Collaborate with engineers to understand safety mechanisms and ASIL targets.

Skills

Automated test frameworks

Scripting languages (Python, CAPL)

Vector tools (CANoe, CANalyzer)

Test management tools (Jira, Confluence)

Education

Degree in Electrical/Electronic, Mechanical, Software, or Computer Engineering

Tools

HIL testing environments

LabCar

CAN/LIN bus protocols

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 worldwide. 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

This role is at the center of proving that every safety mechanism across every RVT vehicle program works as intended – by building and scaling the in‑house automated test capability that generates evidence. You’ll design and maintain automated test frameworks for fault injection testing across LabCar, vehicle, and HIL setups, work directly with FuSa engineers across all domains to understand safety mechanism intent and ASIL targets, and build automated reporting pipelines that make requirement‑level test coverage and traceability visible and actionable. Working cross‑functionally with integration engineering and program management, you’ll align test execution against software release schedules and continuously push automation coverage and efficiency to keep pace with a fast release cadence across multiple programs.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain automated test frameworks and scripts for verification and validation of functional safety mechanisms at the system integration level.
• Implement fault injection test strategies on LabCar, vehicle, and integrated HIL setups to provide end‑to‑end evidence that safety mechanisms operate as intended.
• Support automated testing for steer‑by‑wire and brake‑by‑wire systems on DynoHIL test environments.
• Collaborate with functional safety engineers across multiple domains (Dynamics, Body, Thermal, Energy, ADAS, Core) to understand safety mechanism intent, ASIL classifications, and safety metric targets.
• Build and maintain automated reporting pipelines that demonstrate requirement‑level test coverage and traceability for safety mechanisms.
• Continuously improve test automation coverage and execution efficiency to support a fast software release cadence across multiple programs.
• Perform data analysis on test results, identify anomalies, and provide technical recommendations to functional safety engineering teams.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams – including SW FuSa, HW FuSa, systems engineering, SW development, and program management – to align test schedules against software releases and program milestones.
• Contribute to the definition of integration test strategies and toolchain selection as the in‑house test automation capability scales.

Qualifications

• Degree in Electrical/Electronic, Mechanical, Software, or Computer Engineering (or similar).
• Over 5 years of experience in the automotive industry (or equivalent), ideally at an OEM or Tier 1, with at least 2 years focused on test automation or automated V&V activities.
• Strong hands‑on experience developing automated test scripts and frameworks in HIL, LabCar, or vehicle test environments.
• Proficient in scripting/programming languages commonly used in test automation (e.g. Python, CAPL, or similar).
• Highly proficient with Vector tools (CANoe, CANalyzer, vTESTstudio) and diagnostic tools; experience with CAN/LIN bus protocols and fault injection techniques.
• Familiarity with CI/CD concepts as applied to automotive test execution and reporting.
• Good understanding of vehicle system functionality across multiple domains (dynamics, body, thermal, energy, ADAS).
• Exposure to ISO 26262 and experience applying it within an OEM or Tier 1, particularly around verification and validation evidence for safety mechanisms.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills; ability to work within cross‑functional teams and report status and findings clearly to senior management.
• Experience with test management and requirements traceability tools (e.g. Jira, Confluence, DOORS, or similar) preferred.

Total Rewards

Full‑time positions include base salary, eligibility for an annual performance bonus, and eligibility for equity. In addition to base salary, Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies offers benefits tailored to the local market. For more information on the benefits available for full‑time employees, check out our Global Benefits Site.

Compensation Range: $135.1K - $168.9K

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.

Accessibility

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 that requires accommodations, please email us at [e-mail].