Staff Software Engineer, HIL, Autonomy

Staff Hil Software Engineer

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.

As a Staff HIL Software Engineer, you will directly architect and own the verification strategy and infrastructure, driving the quality and reliability of our mission-critical automotive software solutions. You will lead the full development lifecycle of advanced Hardware-in-the-Loop (HiL) platforms, developing high-impact test plans and scaling automation processes globally. This role requires partnering across engineering disciplines to define and implement next-generation QA processes and test automation frameworks, ensuring high performance and coverage across the autonomy stack. This is an opportunity for a technical leader passionate about automotive testing to define the future of our verification systems.

Responsibilities

• Architectural Ownership: Proven experience in designing, developing, and owning highly scalable and reliable Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) test automation frameworks.
• HIL Platform Expertise: Expert management, optimization, and upgrading of complex, performance-critical HIL test platforms to ensure optimal performance and efficiency.
• CI/CD Integration Leadership: Deep command of integrating HIL systems into CI/CD pipelines (e.g., GitLab, Jenkins) to fully automate software integration, testing, and deployment.
• Strategic Test Development: Ability to translate detailed embedded software requirements into comprehensive, high-quality test plans, test cases, and formal QA documentation.
• Process Definition: Experience establishing and refining world-class QA processes and automated pipelines to enforce rigorous testing standards across engineering teams.
• Operational Excellence: Direct oversight and daily management of automated regression test execution, ensuring full coverage and continuous product quality.
• Feature Validation Partnership: Successful collaboration with software teams to drive and validate new features through targeted lab-based bench testing during development.
• Advanced Debugging & Resolution: Rigorous tracking, complete verification, and closure of all defects, with a strong focus on resolving critical support and field issues.
• Automation Scripting Mastery: High proficiency in creating and enhancing test automation scripts and tools to maximize efficiency and test coverage.
• Release Readiness Reporting: Providing clear, data-driven status and

Qualifications

• 8+ years of Embedded/Platform Software testing experience.
• Proficiency in scripting and programming (Python, Bash, C, C++).
• Proficiency in Linux or QNX environments.
• Knowledge of Socket Programming, TCP/IP, and
• Experience in testing automotive ECUs and protocols like CAN and Ethernet.
• Board-level testing proficiency.
• Experience with CI/CD tools such as GitLab and Jenkins.
• Self-motivated with cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Adaptability to dynamic development and accelerated hardware production timelines.
• Excellent communication, testing, and troubleshooting abilities.
• Bachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering.

Pay Disclosure

The salary range for this role is $206,500.00 - $258,100.00 for 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.

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 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.