Staff Geospatial Data Science Engineer

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 171,100 - 213,900; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity eligibility

Annual performance bonus

Local market benefits

Job summary

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies seeks a Geospatial Data Science Engineer to transform vast vehicle sensor streams into live, high-definition map features for localization, routing, and ADAS.

You will apply advanced statistics, machine learning, and spatial analysis to process massive datasets, delivering scalable, resilient data systems for software-defined vehicles.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Geoinformatics, Robotics, or related quantitative field with emphasis/thesis on computational statistics, data mining, ML, or spatial optimization.
• 8+ years of related professional experience building and maintaining large-scale data processing and predictive systems.
• Advanced analytics and data mining: regression, classifiers, clustering, association rules, decision trees, Bayesian networks.
• Geospatial data experience, noisy time-series handling, and PostGIS and spatial indexing (H3, S2, GeoPandas).
• Programming/scripting: Python, SQL, shell scripting; familiarity with R/MATLAB.
• Strong statistical testing and validation methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and optimize scalable geospatial data pipelines for billions of daily vehicle observations.
• Apply data mining and analytics to detect real-world changes and validate map accuracy.
• Develop map matching, trajectory smoothing, and sensor fusion algorithms for high-fidelity road geometry.
• Lead spatial data system design, ensuring low-latency queries and scalable storage of vector/raster map data.
• Collaborate with embedded software, perception, and cloud teams to align capabilities with mapping platforms.
• Stay updated on big data, statistics, ML, and automated mapping best practices.

Skills

Geospatial data science

Statistics

Machine learning

Python

PostGIS

SQL

Shell scripting

Education

Bachelor's degree in a quantitative field

Tools

GeoPandas

GDAL/OGR

GEOS

H3

S2

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.

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

RV Tech is seeking a Geospatial Data Science Engineer to pioneer the data layer powering our next-generation software-defined electric vehicles. In this senior role, you will be responsible for transforming massive, high-frequency streams of vehicle sensor observations into highly accurate, dynamic map features that the vehicle can use for localization, routing, and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). You will apply advanced computational statistics, machine learning, and spatial analysis to process and model large datasets, drawing actionable insights that translate raw fleet telemetry into live, high-definition maps. We value proactive problem-solvers who thrive in autonomous roles and are passionate about building performant, scalable systems at the intersection of data science and robotics.

Responsibilities

• Geospatial Pipeline Engineering: Design, build, and optimize scalable data pipelines that ingest, clean, and segment billions of daily vehicle sensor observations into consumable map features and geometries.
• Statistical Modeling & Insights: Apply advanced data mining and analytic methods to detect real-world changes (e.g., road closures, new lanes, construction) and design rigorous statistical tests to validate map accuracy.
• Map Generation & Map Matching: Develop robust algorithms for map matching, trajectory smoothing, and sensor fusion to convert noisy probe data into high-fidelity road geometry and attributes.
• System Design & Architecture: Lead the technical design of spatial data systems, ensuring low-latency query performance, efficient spatial indexing (e.g., H3, S2), and scalable storage of vector/raster map data.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Partner with embedded software engineers, perception teams, and cloud architects to align onboard vehicle capabilities with cloud-based mapping platforms.
• Staying Ahead of the Curve: Stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in big data technologies, computational statistics, machine learning, and automated mapping practices.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor's Degree in Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Geoinformatics, Robotics, or a related quantitative field with an emphasis or thesis work on computational statistics, data mining, machine learning, or spatial optimization.
• Experience: 8+ years of related professional experience building and maintaining large-scale data processing and predictive systems.
• Advanced Analytics & Data Mining: Expert-level knowledge in data mining and analytic methods such as regression, classifiers, clustering, association rules, decision trees, and Bayesian network analysis.
• Geospatial Expertise: Proven experience working with geospatial data, handling noisy time-series datasets, writing advanced spatial queries in PostGIS, and utilizing spatial libraries/indexing systems (e.g., H3, S2, GeoPandas).
• Programming & Scripting: Proficiency with statistical analysis packages and programming languages, including Python, SQL, and shell scripting (or familiarity with R/MATLAB).
• Statistical Testing: Strong statistical foundation with proven expertise in designing, executing, and analyzing complex data tests and validation methodologies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Crowdsourced Mapping: Experience with fleet-based, crowdsourced map generation methodologies, including probe-data aggregation, change detection, and incremental map updates.
• Cloud Ecosystems: Experience deploying large-scale geospatial pipelines and machine learning workloads within cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, GCP, Databricks).
• Open-Source Infrastructure: Experience with standard open-source vector tile formats, tools like Martin, QGIS, and geospatial processing engines (GDAL/OGR, GEOS).
• Automotive Map Formats: Familiarity with automotive map standards, routing schemas, and data structures such as NDS (Navigation Data Standard), OpenStreetMap (OSM), and Lanelet2/HD Maps.
• Robotics Algorithms: Familiarity with core robotics concepts, including SLAM (Simultaneous Localization & Mapping), Sensor Fusion, and Point Cloud / Sensor Processing (LiDAR, radar, vision).

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, 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 and 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.

Compensation Range: $171.1K - $213.9K