About Rivian Rivian is on a mission to keep the world adventurous forever. This goes for the emissions-free Electric Adventure Vehicles we build, and the curious, courageous souls we seek to attract. As a company, we constantly challenge what’s possible, never simply accepting what has always been done. We reframe old problems, seek new solutions and operate comfortably in areas that are unknown. Our backgrounds are diverse, but our team shares a love of the outdoors and a desire to protect it for future generations. Role Summary We’re looking for a highly motivated Senior Autonomy Systems Validation Engineer to lead vehicle-level testing of our ADAS, Autonomy and Robotaxi technologies at our proving ground in Arizona. You’ll join Rivian’s Autonomy Systems Validation team, working cross-functionally with Autonomy Systems, Integration, Development and Functional Safety teams to validate software-driven, system-level, vehicle requirements ahead of hardware and software releases and new product introductions. You’ll plan and execute software feature testing, develop automated and simulation-based test methods that model real-world vehicle, environment and user behavior, and root-cause issues, analyze, and communicate results. This includes ensuring compliance with regulatory bodies such as NCAP, FMVSS, and IIHS. The successful candidate will be organized, learn quickly, exhibit a can-do attitude and be comfortable managing fast-paced, fluid projects. Responsibilities Develop and execute comprehensive vehicle software feature data collection, development, validation and regression strategies for ADAS, Autonomy, Robotaxi, Functional Safety and SOTIF. Develop test metrics, infrastructure, and automation to improve test efficiency and precision. Identify, investigate, and root cause software and hardware issues in collaboration with domain experts, including implementing corrective actions. Analyze test data against internal requirements, generate reports, communicate results and issues and make recommendations for product improvements. Work as part of a team to operate robotic test equipment (driving robots, ADAS platforms and targets) and ensure regulatory testing is executed to current and future regulatory requirements. Support prototype vehicle builds, bring-up, sensor calibration, software flashing, commissioning and instrumentation / data logger installation and debugging. Drive and evaluate prototype software and competitor vehicles both subjectively and objectively at test facilities and on public roads. Travel up to 20%. Qualifications 3+ years of professional experience in ADAS, Autonomous Vehicles, Robotaxis, Vehicle Testing, Vehicle Dynamics or a related field. Experience with automotive architecture, electrical systems, communication protocols (Ethernet, CAN, XCP, etc.), flashing and debugging tools (Vector CANalyzer, CANape, PCAN, Vehicle Spy, etc.), and data acquisition and logging systems.. Experience with scripting and test automation, SW integration and debugging, requirements definition, verification and validation and the DVP process (JAMA, JIRA, Confluence, GIT, Python, Matlab, CAPL, SQL, etc.) Excellent analytical, problem solving, communication and collaboration skills. Ability to work autonomously and effectively in a fast-paced and changing environment. BA/BS degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Robotics, Systems Engineering, Computer Science or equivalent experience with a strong technical foundation. Valid US driver's license. Preferred Qualities Experience with ADAS sensors and ground truth equipment (Radar, LiDAR, Cameras, OXTS, DGPS, VBOX, etc.) is a plus. Experience with HIL/SIL environments, test benches, and simulation-based validation, including building or using in-house simulation infrastructure and synthetic/log-based scenario generation to expand test coverage. Experience driving prototype vehicles, including limit driving, proving grounds and/or autonomous safety-driver certification preferred. Experience with relevant ADAS and Autonomy regulations, certifications, and functional safety standards (US NCAP, EU NCAP, IIHS, FMVSS, UN ECE, IEC61508, ISO 26262, ISO 21448, UL 4600, UN R171, Automotive SPICE, etc.). Pay Disclosure The salary range for this role is $117,500 - $146,900 for Arizona based applicants. This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, shift, and organizational needs. The successful candidate may be eligible for annual performance bonus and equity awards. We offer a comprehensive package of benefits for full-time and part-time employees, their spouse or domestic partner, and children up to age 26, including but not limited to paid vacation, paid sick leave, and a competitive portfolio of insurance benefits including life, medical, dental, vision, short-term disability insurance, and long-term disability insurance to eligible employees. You may also have the opportunity to participate in Rivian’s 401(k) Plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program if you meet certain eligibility requirements. Full-time employee coverage is effective on their first day of employment. Part-time employee coverage is effective the first of the month following 90 days of employment. More information about benefits is available at rivianbenefits.com. You can apply for this role through careers.rivian.com (or through internal-careers-rivian.icims.com if you are a current employee). There is no fixed deadline for this application; applications are accepted on an ongoing basis until the role is filled or the opening is no longer needed. Equal Opportunity Rivian is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. 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. Rivian 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 and Technology Rivian 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 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 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 affiliates; and (iii) Rivian’s service providers, including providers of background checks, staffing services, and cloud services. Rivian may transfer or store internationally your Candidate Personal Data, including to or in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, 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. How We Use AI in Our Hiring Process: To ensure transparency, we want candidates to know that Rivian uses iCIMS Talent Cloud Artificial Intelligence (TCAI) and AI-enabled tools to assist with screening, reviewing, organizing and highlighting profiles and applications that match the key requirements for each role. AI does not make hiring decisions: Qualified candidate applications are reviewed by a member of our team, and all decisions throughout the process are made by humans. We use AI to support efficiency and consistency, not to replace human judgment. We are committed to a fair, thoughtful, and equitable experience for every candidate. Participation in AI profile matching is entirely voluntary. If you prefer that your profile not be used in this process, you can opt out at any time. Opting out means your profile will be excluded from automated matching and will not be surfaced for additional roles through this system. Your current application remains active and will not be affected in any way. Interview Integrity & AI Policy Our interview process is designed to evaluate your personal technical foundation, real-time problem-solving logic, and structured capabilities. Therefore, the use of assistive generative AI tools to formulate or deliver your solutions during live interview sessions is not permitted. We care most about how you think — how you make sense of unclear requirements, weigh trade-offs, and explain why you chose one approach over another. We value your unique human perspective, your authenticity, and the journey it takes to reach a solution. Please note that we are currently not accepting applications from third party application services. Develop and execute comprehensive vehicle software feature data collection, development, validation and regression strategies for ADAS, Autonomy, Robotaxi, Functional Safety and SOTIF. Develop test metrics, infrastructure, and automation to improve test efficiency and precision. Identify, investigate, and root cause software and hardware issues in collaboration with domain experts, including implementing corrective actions. Analyze test data against internal requirements, generate reports, communicate results and issues and make recommendations for product improvements. Work as part of a team to operate robotic test equipment (driving robots, ADAS platforms and targets) and ensure regulatory testing is executed to current and future regulatory requirements. Support prototype vehicle builds, bring-up, sensor calibration, software flashing, commissioning and instrumentation / data logger installation and debugging. Drive and evaluate prototype software and competitor vehicles both subjectively and objectively at test facilities and on public roads. Travel up to 20%. 3+ years of professional experience in ADAS, Autonomous Vehicles, Robotaxis, Vehicle Testing, Vehicle Dynamics or a related field. Experience with automotive architecture, electrical systems, communication protocols (Ethernet, CAN, XCP, etc.), flashing and debugging tools (Vector CANalyzer, CANape, PCAN, Vehicle Spy, etc.), and data acquisition and logging systems.. Experience with scripting and test automation, SW integration and debugging, requirements definition, verification and validation and the DVP process (JAMA, JIRA, Confluence, GIT, Python, Matlab, CAPL, SQL, etc.) Excellent analytical, problem solving, communication and collaboration skills. Ability to work autonomously and effectively in a fast-paced and changing environment. BA/BS degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Robotics, Systems Engineering, Computer Science or equivalent experience with a strong technical foundation. Valid US driver's license. Preferred Qualities Experience with ADAS sensors and ground truth equipment (Radar, LiDAR, Cameras, OXTS, DGPS, VBOX, etc.) is a plus. Experience with HIL/SIL environments, test benches, and simulation-based validation, including building or using in-house simulation infrastructure and synthetic/log-based scenario generation to expand test coverage. Experience driving prototype vehicles, including limit driving, proving grounds and/or autonomous safety-driver certification preferred. Experience with relevant ADAS and Autonomy regulations, certifications, and functional safety standards (US NCAP, EU NCAP, IIHS, FMVSS, UN ECE, IEC61508, ISO 26262, ISO 21448, UL 4600, UN R171, Automotive SPICE, etc.).
