Staff Embedded Software Engineer

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
Our growing EV team is seeking a Staff Embedded Software Engineer to develop the software stack for PCBAs and ECUs, with a focus on vehicle controllers. This role requires expertise in the rapidly evolving EV market. You will be instrumental in the software life cycle, coding across the entire stack—from the application layer down to low-level device drivers. Responsibilities include creating software prototypes for early hardware/software co-designs, developing validation test cases in Python/C, building SDKs, and more. You will collaborate with top talent in embedded hardware and software development within this dynamic industry.
Responsibilities

• Architect, design, develop and deploy embedded software components on RTOS for board bring-up, verification, and validation of automotive electronics.
• Mentor and guide a team of Software Engineers to design, develop, and deploy embedded software on RTOS-based systems for board bring-up, verification, and debugging of automotive electronics.
• Work with h/w and s/w architects to collaborate on next-gen platform architecture with various SoCs and the software stack, share plans/roadmaps, and align deliverables.
• Crisply communicate with peers, stakeholders, customers, technical leaders, and OEMs/ODMs. Collaborate across multiple disciplines to deliver quality code, help resolve complex problems, prioritize, and get things done with high efficiency and urgency.
• Oversee troubleshooting across the s/w and h/w stack to rootcause the issue and provide quick resolution collaborating with multiple teams if needed.
• Design, drivers, middleware, applications and other components for enabling different electronic components.
• Debug in real time across software and hardware to understand the real issues and provide solutions, work and collaborate with multiple teams if needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science/Engineering or related field
• 8+ years of professional experience developing embedded software on microcontrollers (automotive, industrial, or similar safety-/reliability‑critical domains).
• 1+ years of experience as a technical lead, leading software development teams, is a big plus.
• Strong programming skills in C for embedded systems; working knowledge of Python for tooling, scripting, or test automation is a plus.
• Solid understanding of RTOS fundamentals (tasks, scheduling, interrupts, synchronization, memory management) and experience bringing up or configuring at least one RTOS‑based platform.
• Hands-on experience with board bring-up and low-level drivers for peripherals such as SPI, I2C, UART, CAN, Ethernet, GPIO, timers, ADC/DAC, and external memories.
• Proficiency with embedded debugging tools (JTAG/SWD, Lauterbach or similar, in‑circuit debuggers, flashing tools) and lab equipment (oscilloscope, logic analyzer, multimeter, power supplies).
• Demonstrated ability to debug complex system issues end‑to‑end, spanning firmware, hardware, and interactions with test or application software.
• Proven track record of cross-functional collaboration and clear, concise technical communication with architects, design engineers, validation teams, and external vendors.
• Ability to crisply communicate with peers, stakeholders, customers, and technical leaders

Preferred Skills

• Team leading skills are a big plus.
• Experience with automotive ECUs is a big plus.
• Background in platform/BSP development for MCU‑based ECUs, including clocking, BSP, and device configuration, Hardware abstraction layers.
• Experience with hardware components like sensors, gate drivers etc.

Pay Disclosure
Salary Range Palo Alto, California-Based Applicants:
$171,100 – $213,900 (actual compensation will be determined based on experience, location, and other factors permitted by law).
The posted salary represents the lowest and highest ranges RV Tech reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for the position. Any posted salary range pertains only to the estimated starting pay for the role. Actual starting pay is based on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate’s experience, skillset, qualifications, specific competencies, relevant education, and location.
Total Rewards
Total compensation packages for this position include base salary, eligibility for an annual performance bonus, and eligibility for equity.
In addition, our benefits package has been designed to support the health and wellness of our employees. Benefit offerings include Flex Time Off, retirement savings plans as well as medical, vision and dental coverage. For more information on RV Tech’s comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees, check out our Global Benefits Site.
External candidates can apply for this role through the RV Tech Careers site (https://rivianvw.tech/#careers). If you are a current employee, please apply through our internal job board (https://internal-careers-rivian.icims.com/).
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 candidateaccommodations@rivian.com.
Candidate Data Privacy
Rivian and VW Group Technologies (“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) recordkeeping; (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.
Please see our Candidate Data Privacy Notice (English) and Candidate Data Privacy Notice (Serbian) for more information.
*Please note this job posting represents an open, active vacancy. Additionally, we are currently not accepting applications from third party application services.*