Staff Motor Control Engineer

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

The staff motor control engineer leads and contributes to the development and verification of motor control algorithms, primarily focusing on our innovative steering actuator system while also supporting our propulsion drive system. They are responsible for continuously improving the team's technical excellence, discipline, and flexibility to ensure high quality software deliverables, timely integration of software, operational efficiency, and field performance review.


Responsibilities

• Develop advanced motor control algorithms and calibrations for the steering actuator system, as well as other low-voltage and high-voltage electric drive systems
• Develop cross-functional vehicle level controls features that meet functional safety (FuSa) requirements
• Lead requirement definition of advanced motor controls and cross-functional vehicle level features
• Work with cross-functional teams on electric drive and vehicle bring-up activities
• Develop software-in-the-loop (SIL) and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) test cases for controls and software development

Plan and perform algorithm testing in dynamometer, and vehicle test environment

• Stays abreast of new technologies and competitive methods and products
• Submit patents and trade secrets to advance Rivian Intellectual Property portfolio in the field of drive controls

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering with dissertation research in advanced motor controls algorithm design
• 5+ years of experience in algorithm design and testing in EV industry or equivalent experience
• Expert in the theory and principle of AC electric machine drive and three-phase switching power converter topologies
• Strong teamwork skills, data presentation, and problem-solving attitude, and project planning in collaboration with project managers
• Expert in developing digital control algorithms for 3-phase switching power converters and AC electric machines
• Experience with steering system, braking system, or other safety-critical systems is highly preferred
• Strong C and C++ programming languages: prior experience in hand-coding control algorithms is preferred
• Fluency in Model-based design using Matlab/Simulink, modeling and simulation of electric drives, and inverter fault handling
• Excellent interpersonal skills in a fast-paced team with full autonomy
• Strong hands-on experience in high voltage/power/speed laboratory/vehicle environment as well as vehicle ECU interfaces and tools
• Experience with software testing platform including SIL tests and HIL tests

Pay Disclosure

The salary range for this role is USD 171,100 - 213,900 for Southern California 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). This job is not expected to be closed any sooner than February 6, 2026.

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 View email address on click.appcast.io.

Candidate Data Privacy

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.


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