Staff Embedded Software Engineer, Virtualization

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 137,000 - 182,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity in RSUs

Health coverage

Retirement savings

Time off

Family planning programs

Job summary

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies seeks a Staff Embedded Software Engineer to transform real-world ECU firmware into high-performance virtual devices that run on workstations and cloud servers.

You will bridge hardware and software across vehicle subsystems, lead design reviews, and mentor peers while extending HIL tests and build systems for fast, reproducible development.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of embedded firmware experience with RTOS-based systems.
• Bachelor's/Master's/PhD in CS or EE.
• Expert C, strong C++, and production Python skills.
• Deep RTOS fundamentals mapped to POSIX user-space.
• Experience with automotive networks (CAN, LIN, Ethernet) and SocketCAN.
• Hands-on ownership of Bazel build systems and cross-compile tool-chains.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and evolve the user-space runtime that runs production firmware on host machines.
• Hook new ECU firmware to existing stubbed/modelled libraries (GPIO, CAN, LIN, PWM, watchdog, ADC/DAC).
• Implement functional device models in C or Python when hardware isn’t available.
• Own build scripts, tool-chains, and configurations to generate host binaries and MCU images.
• Extend HIL Pytest suites for virtual configurations; inject faults and log traces.
• Track discrepancies between firmware assumptions and host behavior; use GDB for debugging.
• Collaborate with middleware/OS and hardware teams to align abstractions and unblock integration.
• Lead design reviews and mentor peers on real-time pitfalls.

Skills

C

C++

Python

RTOS fundamentals

embedded optimization

multi-threading

CAN/LIN/Ethernet

SocketCAN

GDB

Education

B.S./M.S./Ph.D. in CS or EE

Tools

Bazel

Cross-compile toolchains

GDB

QEMU

Renode

Synopsys Virtualizer DK

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.

Role Summary

As a Staff Embedded Software Engineer, you will transform real-world ECU firmware into high-performance virtual devices that run on everyday workstations and cloud servers. Your work closes the gap between hardware and software by letting entire vehicle subsystems boot, communicate, and evolve entirely in software. This virtual-first approach is disrupting traditional development cycles by enabling teams to prototype, stress-test, and ship new vehicle features in days rather than months.. You’ll collaborate with the core hardware-platform and application-software groups—including Charging, Body Controls, Infotainment, Vehicle Dynamics, and related domain teams—to craft the virtualization layers and peripheral models that make this possible, unlocking a new era of rapid iteration and insight-driven engineering across the vehicle stack.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and evolve the user-space runtime that runs production firmware on host machines. Familiarity with mapping RTOS concepts onto POSIX primitives is a plus.
• Hook new ECU firmware to existing stubbed / modeled libraries (GPIO, CAN, LIN, PWM, watchdog, ADC/DAC, etc.) so code runs unmodified on workstations and in the cloud.
• Implement functional (non-cycle-accurate) device models in C or Python when hardware isn’t available, partnering with hardware engineers to capture realistic behavior and edge cases.
• Own build scripts, tool-chains, and configurations that generate both host binaries and target MCU images, delivering fast, reproducible builds.
• Extend existing HIL Pytest suites for virtual configurations: inject faults, log traces, and validate timing or bus traffic against golden references.
• Track down discrepancies between firmware assumptions and host behavior; strong problem-solving instincts and GDB proficiency when needed.
• Work closely with middleware/OS engineers and, when required, hardware teams to align abstractions, validate new peripheral models, and unblock integration issues.
• Lead design reviews, raise code quality, and mentor peers on real-time pitfalls, clean abstraction boundaries, and maintainable C/C++/Python practices.

Minimum Qualifications

• 10+ years of hands‑on embedded firmware experience, including porting or deeply modifying RTOS-based systems.
• B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• Expert-level C, strong C++, and production-quality Python skills.
• Deep understanding of RTOS fundamentals (tasks, ISRs, schedulers, queues, timers) and how they map onto POSIX user-space primitives.
• Proven expertise in embedded optimization and low-level debugging; comfortable with GDB and hardware/protocol analyzers.
• Solid grasp of multi-threaded and multi-core programming concepts.
• Experience developing for automotive communication networks (CAN, LIN, Ethernet) and corresponding user-space interfaces (e.g., SocketCAN).
• Hands‑on ownership of Bazel (or similar) build systems and cross-compile tool‑chains for heterogeneous targets.
• Strong communication skills and a track record of effective collaboration within fast-moving, multidisciplinary teams.
• Passion for shortening the idea-to-product cycle through virtualization, rapid iteration, and rigorous engineering practice.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior work creating functional peripheral or IC models (QEMU, Renode, or custom stubs).
• Familiarity with safety-critical C guidelines (MISRA, CERT) and advanced automotive protocols (DoIP, SOME/IP).
• Experience correlating virtual-ECU results with physical HIL data to close fidelity gaps.
• Experience with Synopsys Virtualizer Development Kit or similar tools.

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.

Compensation Range: $137,300 - $181,890

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.

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies may provide your mobile telephone number as part of your application or during the recruitment process, used 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.