Staff Embedded Software Engineer

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies is seeking a Staff Embedded Software Engineer to lead ECU platform bring‑up and validation for infotainment systems. You will work on the foundational software stack for ECUs and next‑gen vehicle platforms, collaborating with HW and validation teams to deliver robust, high‑quality software.

The role emphasizes hands‑on development on high‑performance SoCs, camera/display subsystems, and performance optimization in a fast-paced automotive tech environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science/Engineering or related field.
• 7+ years' experience in Embedded Software Development.
• Experience with high‑performance SoCs (Snapdragon, NVIDIA Orin, MediaTek) and automotive-grade SoCs is a plus.
• Proficient in Embedded Linux, QNX, DriveOS; experience with hypervisor-based systems (Type‑1 hypervisors, Gunyah, ACRN).
• Strong multimedia development background focused on camera/display subsystems (driver, middleware, user-space).
• Expert in C, C++, and Python.
• Solid Linux/RTOS fundamentals, BSPs, kernel config, drivers, debugging tools.
• Hands-on with Lauterbach, Oscilloscope, JTAG, flashing tools.
• Knowledge of interfaces (SPI, I2C, Ethernet, PCIe) and board bring‑up.
• Scripting in Python and shell.
• Ability to thrive in fast-paced startup/auto domains.

Responsibilities

• ECU platform bring‑up and optimization for infotainment systems, including boot, driver integration, and system debugging.
• Design, develop, and test software features for ECU validation.
• Extract learnings from validation and testing to improve production diagnostics.
• Stress testing, performance benchmarking, and manufacturing software for EOL testing.
• Validate and optimize multimedia subsystems (camera/display) at the ECU level.
• Collaborate with hardware, validation, and software teams for seamless ECU integration.
• Troubleshoot and debug complex software/hardware issues across teams.
• Create and maintain documentation for software designs, APIs, and tests.
• Communicate effectively with peers, stakeholders, customers, and OEMs/ODMs.

Skills

C/C++

Python

Embedded Linux

QNX

Driver development

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in CS/Engineering

Tools

Lauterbach

Oscilloscope

JTAG

Flashing tools

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 looking for a Staff Embedded Software Engineer who understands the lay of the land of this rapidly growing EV marketplace. Our dynamic team focuses on providing the foundational software stack for Design Verification of the PCBAs & ECUs (Electronic Control Units) for current and next-generation vehicle platforms, including Autonomy, Infotainment, and Vehicle Controls. You will play a critical role in supporting ECU-level platform bring‑up and validation, ensuring robust performance and seamless user experiences. This role is crucial for supporting ECU-level platform bring‑up and validation across a next‑generation embedded system stack, with a specific focus on cutting‑edge infotainment systems. You'll have the chance to collaborate with some of the brightest minds in developing the embedded hardware and software stack for this rapidly evolving EV industry. The ideal candidate will thrive in a fast‑paced environment and possess a strong passion for innovation in embedded technologies.

Responsibilities

• ECU Platform Bring‑up & Optimization: Lead and contribute to the bring‑up of new hardware platforms at the ECU level for infotainment systems, including initial boot, driver integration, and system‑level debugging.
• Validation Feature Development: Design, develop, and implement dedicated software features specifically for testing the ECU against its specifications.
• Diagnostic Improvement & Learning: Extract valuable learnings from the validation feature development and testing processes to continuously improve and enhance production diagnostics.
• Validation & Testing
  • Stress Testing: Design and implement rigorous stress tests for critical ECU subsystems (CPU, GPU, NPU, Multimedia subsystems) to identify performance bottlenecks, thermal limitations, and ensure system stability under extreme loads.
  • Performance Benchmarking: Analyze and optimize ECU system performance, identifying areas for improvement and implementing efficient solutions.
  • Manufacturing Software Development: Develop and maintain manufacturing software for End‑of‑Line (EOL) testing, ensuring quality control and efficient production processes for ECUs.
  • Multimedia Subsystem Validation: Validate and optimize the camera and display subsystems at the ECU level, from driver integration and middleware validation to user‑space application testing, ensuring high‑quality multimedia experiences within the infotainment system.
• Collaboration: Work closely with hardware engineers, Validation & Test Automation teams, and other software architects/engineers to ensure seamless ECU integration and delivery of high‑quality products.
• Troubleshooting & Debugging: Identify and resolve complex software and hardware issues at the ECU level, utilizing various debugging tools and techniques, with an ability to work across organizations/teams.
• Documentation: Create and maintain comprehensive documentation for software designs, APIs, and test procedures.
• Communication: Ability to crisply communicate with peers, stakeholders, customers, technical leaders, and OEMs/ODMs.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science/Engineering or a related field.
• 7+ years' experience in Embedded Software Development.
• Platforms: Strong hands‑on experience with high‑performance SoCs such as Snapdragon, NVIDIA Orin, MediaTek, or similar platforms. Experience with automotive‑grade SoCs is a significant plus.
• Operating Systems & Virtualization: Proficient in Embedded Linux, QNX, DriveOS, and experience with hypervisor‑based systems (e.g., Type‑1 hypervisors, Gunyah, ACRN, etc.).
• Domain Expertise
  • Strong background in multimedia development with a particular focus on camera and/or display subsystems – including driver integration, middleware, and user‑space application development.
  • Proven experience in ECU‑level software development for complex infotainment systems.
  • Experience with performance analysis and optimization of CPU, GPU, and NPU workloads.
• Programming Languages: Expert proficiency in C, C++, and Python.
• Good understanding of Linux and/or RTOS fundamentals, Board Support Packages, kernel configuration, device driver interfaces, and debugging tools.
• Hands‑on experience using Lauterbach, Oscilloscope, JTAG, and flashing tools.
• Solid understanding of interface protocol stacks (SPI, I2C, Ethernet, PCIe) and board bring‑up.
• Experience with scripting languages (Python, shell).
• Comfortable and effective working in fast‑paced environments such as startups, consumer electronics, or automotive domains, with a proven ability to adapt to evolving requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of OS internals (process scheduler, memory management, concurrency, synchronization, storage).
• Knowledge of hypervisors and virtualization in the automotive industry.
• Experience with ARM cores and architecture.
• Experience in using electronic test equipment for debugging at the hardware level.
• Experience with embedded toolchains (compilers, linkers, linker scripts).
• Experience with automotive communication protocols (e.g., CAN, Ethernet).
• Familiarity with functional safety standards (e.g., ISO 26262).
• Experience with continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines for embedded systems.

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.

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 requiring accommodations to assist you in the search and application process, please email us at [e-mail].