Staff Thermal Controls Test and Integration Engineer

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 141,000 - 235,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

RSUs

Bonus program

Health coverage

Retirement plan

Job summary

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies seeks a Controls Test and Integration Engineer to advance thermal control software in automotive vehicles. You will lead test coverage for SIL/HIL and vehicle-level tests, working with firmware and systems teams to validate cooling, HVAC, and thermal subsystems.

The role requires 5+ years in control systems, strong C/C++/Rust/Python, and experience with automated testing and calibration tools. Travel up to 15% may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in mechanical, electrical, or computer engineering.
• 5+ years in control systems, automotive or aerospace experience preferred.
• Strong proficiency in C, C++, Rust, and/or Python.
• Experience with requirements management tools (Jama/Doors or equivalent).
• Experience with issue tracking tools (Jira or equivalent).
• Experience with automotive electrical/communication systems and firmware calibration tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead requirements and test coverage across virtual and physical assets (SIL, HIL, vehicles).
• Track feature maturity through test coverage across unit tests, SIL, HIL, and vehicle assets.
• Design and document detailed test cases and scripts for SIL and HIL validation.
• Develop test cases at system and vehicle levels from requirements.
• Gather data from CAN, Ethernet, and cloud telemetry for analysis.
• Collaborate with firmware and systems engineers to diagnose issues and drive resolution.
• Test and calibrate thermal management features to meet performance targets.
• Coordinate test assets to validate software functionality across configurations.
• Prioritize issues by impact and program objectives.
• Refine requirements for testability and scalability across thermal systems.

Skills

Control systems

C/C++/Rust/Python

Embedded software

Requirements mgmt tools

Issue tracking tools

Test automation

Education

Bachelor of Science in engineering

Tools

Jama/Doors

Jira

Vector CANalyzer

Vector CANape

ETAS INCA

Pytest/OpenHTF

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.

We are currently looking for a skilled and driven Controls Test and Integration Engineer to become part of our Thermal Control Software Development team. This team is dedicated to creating state-of-the-art software for thermal controls in automotive vehicles including refrigeration, coolant, and HVAC systems. The perfect candidate will possess a solid foundation in software integration and vehicle integration.

Key Responsibilities

• Technical Leadership: Lead requirements and test coverage development across virtual and physical assets including but not limited to SIL, HIL, and vehicles
• Track feature maturity through test coverage across unit testing, Software-in-the-Loop (SIL), Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL), and vehicle level test assets
• Design and document detailed test cases and scripts for validating feature functionality in SIL and HIL environments
• Design and document test cases at system and vehicle levels based on system and software requirements
• Gather data from communication systems commonly used in embedded systems like CAN and Ethernet as well as from vehicle telemetry stored in the cloud
• Work with firmware developers and systems engineers to diagnose issues and drive resolution
• Test and calibrate thermal management features for cabin HVAC, refrigeration systems, and coolant systems to achieve attributes targets including performance, range, NVH, and cabin comfort
• Plan and coordinate test assets to characterize and validate software functionality
• Prioritize and elevate issues based on user impact and program objectives
• Collaborate with software and hardware systems engineers to develop and refine requirements focusing on testability and scalability across different thermal system configurations

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in mechanical, electrical, or computer engineering
• 5+ years of experience working with control systems – automotive or aerospace experience preferred
• Strong proficiency in C, C++, Rust, and/or Python
• Working experience with requirements management tools (Jama, Doors, or equivalent) preferred
• Working experience with issue tracking tools (Jira or equivalent) preferred
• Working experience with communication bus monitoring tools (Vector CANalyzer or equivalent) preferred
• Working experience with software calibration tools (Vector CANape, ETAS INCA, or equivalent) preferred
• Working experience in firmware integration, calibration, vehicle-level testing, and/or SW debugging at the feature level
• Working experience with developing automated test cases in the unit testing, SIL, and/or HIL environment; Pytest, OpenHTF, or equivalent experience preferred
• Experience with electrical and communication system integration for system level and vehicle level test assets preferred
• Familiar with fundamentals of heat transfer and thermodynamics
• Familiar with thermal and HVAC components including but not limited to water pumps, AC compressors, expansion valves, blower fans, and HVAC modules
• Willingness to travel up to 15% of the time 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 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.

Compensation Range: $171.1K - $235.3K