Staff Body Controls Engineer (Lighting)

Rivian VW Group; Irvine (CA); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies in Irvine, CA is seeking a dedicated Staff Body Controls Engineer to lead the design and integration of control systems for closures, lighting, seating and accessory devices, with a strong emphasis on automotive lighting control.

You will drive architecture, validation strategies, and test development across Unit, SIL and HIL environments, mentor junior engineers, and collaborate with cross‑functional teams to deliver robust software for feature delivery.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or mechanical engineering; Master’s degree preferred.
• 7+ years of experience with automotive control systems and leading projects.
• Embedded systems architecture and RTOS knowledge.
• Control theory, PID tuning, and algorithm design.
• C and Python programming with scalable code.
• Experience with Agile/Scrum and requirements management tools.
• Familiarity with CAN/LIN/ETH tools and embedded hardware/software design.

Responsibilities

• Lead architecture and development of advanced body controls for automotive lighting, closures, seating and accessories.
• Review requirements; create high-level functional designs and innovative control solutions.
• Develop a validation strategy and spearhead calibration at feature level for complete vehicle delivery.
• Create and oversee test cases for Unit, SIL, and HIL environments.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to enhance simulation models and troubleshoot across physical/electrical/software domains.
• Mentor junior engineers and manage multiple projects with timely delivery.

Skills

Electrical engineering

Automotive controls leadership

RTOS & embedded systems

C programming

Python

Agile & Scrum

Mentoring engineers

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Vector CANalyzer

CANoe

CANape

JIRA

Git

Python tooling

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

We are seeking a dedicated and innovative Staff Body Controls Engineer to join our software development team. This role is integral to the development and integration of control systems for various vehicle functions, including closures, lighting, seating, and accessory devices. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in electrical or mechanical engineering, with a focus on automotive lighting control systems, and will demonstrate leadership in driving projects and mentoring junior engineers.

Responsibilities

• Technical Leadership: Lead the architecture and development of advanced control systems for automotive lighting systems, with experience in advanced automotive lighting feature sets.

• Review and refine requirements, producing high‑level functional specification designs to offer innovative control solutions.

• Develop a validation strategy, devise a plan, and spearhead the calibration process at the feature level to ensure the successful delivery of the complete vehicle feature set.

• Create and oversee the development of comprehensive test cases and scripts to validate features in Unit test, Software‑in‑the‑Loop (SIL) test, and Hardware‑in‑the‑Loop (HIL) test environments.

• Collaborate with other controls engineers and cross‑functional teams to enhance or create simulation models for analyzing, optimizing, and troubleshooting different aspects of the vehicle.

• Work closely with the engineering team to ensure software robustness and seamless integration of new features, driving best practices in software development.

• Utilize a multidisciplinary approach to troubleshoot complex functional problems within our vehicles by addressing root causes across physical, electrical, and software domains.

• Project Management: Oversee multiple projects, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to specifications, while managing resources and budgets effectively.

• Prioritize and elevate issues based on user impact and program objectives for prompt resolution, demonstrating strong decision‑making skills.

• Mentor and guide junior engineers, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and knowledge sharing within the engineering team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or mechanical engineering; Master’s degree preferred.

• 7+ years of experience working with automotive control systems, with a proven track record of leading projects.

• Deep understanding of embedded systems architecture and real‑time operating systems (RTOS).

• In‑depth knowledge of control theory principles & algorithm design, including compensator design and PID tuning.

• Expertise in C programming languages as well as Python, with a focus on developing scalable and maintainable code.

• Strong knowledge of software development lifecycle and methodologies, including Agile and Scrum. Experience with tools for requirements management, revision control, issue management systems like JIRA, JAMA, Git

• Familiarity with failure analysis methodologies such as FMEA and fault trees, with experience in leading FMEA sessions.

• Proficiency in CAN/LIN/ETH tools like Vector CANalyzer, CANoe, CANape, etc., along with a deep understanding of embedded hardware & software design.

• Demonstrated creativity in design work coupled with hands‑on building abilities, with a portfolio of successful projects.

• Excellent communication and leadership skills, with the ability to influence and drive change.

• Willingness to travel up to 20% as required.

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 — including health coverage, retirement savings, time off, and 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 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 and Volkswagen Group Technologies 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) record keeping; (vi) ensuring network and information security and preventing fraud; and (vii) as otherwise required or permitted by applicable law.

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies 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 and Volkswagen Group Technologies affiliates; and (iii) Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies’ service providers, including providers of background checks, staffing services, and cloud services.

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies may transfer or store internationally your Candidate Personal Data, including to or in the United States, Canada, 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.

If you provide a mobile telephone number as part of your application or during the recruitment process, Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies may use that number to contact you via SMS text message for recruitment‑related purposes, including scheduling, logistics, and status updates. Message and data rates may apply. You may opt out of SMS communications at any time by replying STOP to any text message you receive from us. Consent to receive SMS messages is not a condition of applying for or being considered for employment.

Please see our Candidate Data Privacy Notice (English) and Candidate Data Privacy Notice (Serbian) for more information.

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