Sr. System Validation Engineer, Power Modes

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're looking for a highly skilled and strategic Sr. System Validation Engineer to define and lead the verification and validation efforts for our vehicle power modes. This is a critical role that requires a deep understanding of vehicle systems and the full spectrum of testing methodologies, from early-stage unit testing to large-scale fleet deployments. You will be responsible for creating the overall test plan for each power mode feature, ensuring robust and efficient testing across all levels of our development cycle. Responsibilities Develop & Own the Test Strategy : Create a comprehensive and prioritized test strategy for all power modes features, including what gets tested, how it's tested, and at what frequency (e.g., pre-merge, post-merge, before and after over-the-air updates to the customers). Prioritization & Planning : Create a roadmap of features vs test platforms (unit, SIL, HIL, vehicle, fleet) to prioritize testing efforts, ensuring maximum coverage and efficiency. Cross-Functional Leadership : Collaborate with design, software, and hardware teams to understand feature requirements and translate them into effective test cases. Risk Assessment : Identify and mitigate testing risks. Use data from testing to inform and refine the strategy for lower-level testing environments. Data-Driven Quality : Help define and refine the fleet dashboard to identify trends, track key metrics, and proactively find quality escapes. Root Cause Analysis : Lead investigations for bugs found at later stages, identifying the root cause and implementing corrective actions to catch future issues earlier. Documentation & Reporting : Maintain clear documentation of the test strategy, test cases, and results. Communicate the status and risks of testing efforts to stakeholders. Continuous Improvement : Drive improvements in our testing processes and tools to increase efficiency and quality. Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field. 5+ years of experience in systems engineering, verification & validation, or a similar role, with a focus on vehicle systems. Demonstrable experience with different testing levels (unit, SIL, HIL, vehicle) and an understanding of their purpose and limitations. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a proven ability to prioritize tasks in a complex, fast-paced environment. Excellent communication and collaboration skills. Familiarity with vehicle power modes (vehicle sleep, vehicle wake) and their associated software / hardware behaviors is a significant plus. Experience with Python, MATLAB, or other scripting languages for test automation is a plus. Pay Disclosure Salary Range / Hourly Rate for California Based Applicants : $135,100 - $168,900 (actual compensation will be determined based on experience, location, and other factors permitted by law). Benefits Summary : Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies provides robust medical / Rx, dental and vision insurance packages for full-time and part-time employees, their spouse or domestic partner, and children up to age 26. Full Time Employee coverage is effective on the first day of employment. Part-Time employee coverage is effective the first of the month following 90 days of employment. 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. 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