Sr. Thermal Control Systems Engineer - Rivian and VW Group Technology

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:

The Thermal Control System Team develops advanced algorithms to optimize thermal management for powertrains, battery packs using heat pumps, and cabin HVAC systems. In this role, you will collaborate closely with designers, engineers, manufacturing teams, firmware developers, and service personnel, leveraging your expertise in thermal and controls engineering to define requirements for embedded software implementation.

Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with Vehicle Attributes and Hardware Development engineers to ensure subsystems are designed with appropriate requirements, interfaces, and interactions for specific vehicle functions.
• Translate high-level feature requests into detailed controller software, sensor, and actuator requirements, driving implementation, testing, and release.
• Research and analyze various control algorithms; develop control-oriented simulation models to refine control strategies.
• Create and maintain system boundary diagrams, function allocation documents, state machines, and sequence diagrams.
• Develop and maintain controller FMEA, conduct fault tree analysis, and support functional safety requirement development.
• Design test cases for controller validation and monitor test coverage across HIL, SIL, and vehicle- level testing.

Qualifications:

• BS or MS in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• 4+ years and a strong foundation in heat transfer and thermodynamics, with familiarity in heat exchangers, compressors, valves, pumps, fans, and their subsystem interactions.
• Proficient in control systems fundamentals and their application to the thermal domain.
• Skilled in developing control-oriented dynamic system models of thermal, hydraulic, or
• mechanical systems using MATLAB, Simulink, or Python.
• Experience in software architecture and requirement management.
• Strong analytical skills with experience handling large datasets in MATLAB/Python; familiarity with C/C++ is a plus.
• Proven ability to collaborate cross-functionally, engage in hands-on work, and manage open- ended projects in fast-paced, resource-constrained environments.
• Proficiency in German is a bonus.

Pay Disclosure:

Salary Range 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 employees, their spouse or domestic partner, and children up to age 26. Coverage is effective on the first day of employment.

Company Statements:

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 note that we are currently not accepting applications from third party application services.