Staff Technical Program Manager, Vehicle Systems & Controls

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 are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Staff Technical Program Manager to lead and coordinate cross-functional teams in the development of advanced vehicle subsystems. In this role, you will be responsible for ensuring the successful execution of complex technical, new architecture programs relating to development and integration of vehicle controls systems and SW.

This is a high-impact role that requires a deep technical understanding of the vehicle architecture, component interfaces, dependencies as well as exceptional program management skills with a strong ability to manage ambiguity. As a key member of our engineering team, you will work closely with HW and SW leads, test asset build teams, electrical engineering architects, validation teams, and other stakeholders to ensure timely execution, manage risks, dependencies, and critical deliverables.

Responsibilities

• Program Leadership: Lead end-to-end technical programs to deliver vertically integrated hardware and software for vehicle controls subsystems for multiple EV platforms, with special focus on early/new generation architecture. Ensure alignment with company objectives and technical milestones.

• Systems Engineering & Scoping: Collaborate with technical teams to scope integration requirements using systems engineering principles. Identify test asset needs and coordinate test plans (subsystem and vehicle level) based on software and hardware deliverables, as well as Component, Vehicle DVP timing.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with Electrical/Mechanical Hardware, Software Development, and Validation teams to ensure smooth software-hardware integration, validation, calibration throughout the program lifecycle.

• Prioritization & Planning: Develop and manage detailed subsystem integration timelines and resource allocation for integration efforts, accounting for dependencies and timing of supplier deliverables. Prioritize components for test asset development based on technical risk, program milestones, and system complexity.

• Technical Risk Management: Drive the identification and resolution of technical issues throughout the software and hardware integration process. Manage risks and dependencies to minimize delays.

• Integration Testing: Coordinate the development and execution of verification test plans. Promote automated scalable validation principles, ensuring testing aligns with program milestones and quality standards.

• Stakeholder Communication: Provide regular program updates to leadership and the development teams to ensure all teams are working towards the same goal. Conduct healthy escalations to ensure deliverables are met and mitigate potential risks before they impact the timeline.

• Continuous Improvement: Identify opportunities to improve program management processes, integration workflows, and test processes. Implement best practices to optimize efficiency and quality.

Qualifications

• Education: BS or MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a related technical field. Advanced degrees preferred.

• Experience:

  • 5+ years of relevant experience in technical program management, with at least 3 years focused on integration and development of powertrain, body, thermal, energy systems HW and SW in the automotive/EV sector.

  • Proven expertise in managing complex programs that involve both hardware and software integration, especially in an automotive or high-tech environment.

  • 3+ years of experience with Systems Engineering principles and Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC).

  • Experience with test and validation strategies, particularly related to integration testing and verification for automotive or EV systems.

• Technical Expertise:

  • In-depth knowledge of different vehicle architectures and components required for the subsystem, homologation impacts, embedded systems, and real-time control software.

  • Hands-on experience with hardware/software bring-up (using ECUs, sub-components, and vehicle systems), integration, and validation of distributed systems.

  • Experience working with tools like Python, C/C++, MATLAB/Simulink, CarSim, and other simulation or modeling tools is a plus.

• Program Management Skills:

  • Expertise in managing software development projects using Agile and Waterfall methodologies. Familiarity with JIRA, Confluence, and other program management tools.

  • Strong organizational, communication, and collaboration skills. Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage complex project dependencies.

  • Proven track record of successfully managing project risks, dependencies, and deliverables to ensure timely and high-quality results.

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 is 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.

External candidates can apply for this role through the Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies careers site (https://rivianvw.tech/#careers). If you are a current employee, please apply through our internal job board.

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 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.

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Please note this job posting represents an open, active vacancy. Additionally, we are not currently accepting applications from third party application services.