Prototype Engineer, System Prototypes

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.

At Rivian and Volkswagen Technologies, we are building the future of electric vehicles, and our System Prototypes team is at the forefront of this innovation. We are seeking a highly proactive and detail-oriented Prototype Engineer who thrives in dynamic, ambiguous environments and is passionate about solving complex, real-world engineering challenges. In this pivotal role, you will be instrumental in bridging the gap between cutting-edge design and functional reality, shaping the next generation of our EV systems.

You will collaborate closely with our Development and Validation teams, leading the design and commissioning of electrically representative system prototypes. Your work will directly support our aggressive program development goals, ensuring the seamless integration and rigorous validation of early prototype ECUs and their end-devices. This is a highly centralized and impactful role where you will champion cross-functional collaboration, driving solutions and ensuring technical readiness for critical program milestones.

• Drive System Prototyping: Support the end-to-end design and build completion of next-generation prototype assets, focusing on the integration of early prototype ECUs and end-devices to enable robust system-level hardware and software validation. Your design scope will include harness design, light mechanical structure design, integration of off-the-shelf development boards, and light software development.
• Commission & Innovate: Spearhead the commissioning of early prototype systems, employing expert troubleshooting techniques to swiftly resolve issues. You'll maintain comprehensive logs, sharing critical insights with stakeholders to inform continuous improvement.
• Collaborate & Influence: Act as a central hub for technical collaboration, partnering across all development teams to diagnose and resolve complex system issues. You'll leverage existing knowledge while proposing innovative short-term and long-term design solutions as needed.
• Optimize System Performance: Support maximizing the uptime of high-criticality assets by establishing proactive test procedures and providing rapid debugging support for system issues.
• Strategic Alignment: Perform thorough technical vetting of asset needs, aligning them with vehicle milestones across all programs, and proactively collaborating with development teams to prepare for and validate upcoming features.
• Pioneer Diagnostics: Provide full vehicle system diagnostics support during critical early pilot builds, meticulously tracking and communicating all findings to relevant stakeholders and development teams.

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering or a related technical field.
• 1+ years of hands-on experience designing and troubleshooting complex electrical systems within early development stages, ideally in an automotive or similar high-tech domain.
• Strong electrical system troubleshooting skills are essential.
• Experience in reading technical drawings, electrical schematics 
• Familiarity with prototype manufacturing techniques and their practical application is a plus.
• Experience with basic mechanical design and CAD is preferred.
• Ability to thrive under pressure, applying creative and critical thinking to deliver exceptional results in a fast-paced environment.
• A collaborative team player with excellent communication skills, capable of conveying both detailed technical explanations and high-level status updates effectively.

Salary Range for California Based Applicants: $107,000 - $133,700 USD.

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.