Sr. Autonomy Data Collection and Prototyping 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 part of the Autonomy Data Collection and Prototyping team, you will be fundamental in ensuring the quality, integrity, and analytical value of the data generated by Rivian’s ADAS/Autonomy test platforms. You will lead the deployment of robust Linux environments and manage low-level Automotive Service Communication (UDS Protocol) to ensure seamless, real-time vehicle interaction. This role is heavily focused on the successful integration, validation, and data acquisition from a comprehensive suite of automotive sensors—including radars, cameras, lidars, and precision positioning systems—directly influencing the development of our autonomous features.

Furthermore, you will be a key contributor to developing on-vehicle Engineering and Operations Tooling HMI (Human-Machine Interface) necessary for efficient test fleet management and data acquisition. This role works cross-functionally with SW development, Data Science, and Hardware Engineering teams based locally and throughout Rivian locations around the country. This role is expected to be onsite, with occasional travel required.

• Linux Systems Deployment & Management: Architect, deploy, and maintain custom Linux environments across the test fleet’s compute platforms. Optimize OS-level performance for high-bandwidth data logging, ensure system stability, and manage reliable software deployments.
• Automotive Diagnostics & UDS Communication: Implement and manage vehicle communication utilizing the Unified Diagnostic Services (UDS) protocol. Develop custom tooling to read/clear diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs), request high-fidelity vehicle data, and execute diagnostic routines critical for test fleet operations.
• ADAS Sensor Integration & Validation: Lead the physical and software integration of advanced automotive sensors, specifically Radars, Cameras, Lidars, and Positioning Systems (GNSS/IMU). Validate sensor data integrity, handle time synchronization (e.g., PTP), and ensure highly reliable acquisition pipelines.
• Engineering Tooling HMI Development: Design and develop the on-vehicle user interface code that allows test teams to manage data logging, view system status, and validate systems in real-time, integrating directly with diagnostic services and live sensor feeds.
• Hardware & System Debugging: Support advanced triage of system issues using deep technical knowledge of Linux tooling, vehicle networks (Ethernet, CAN), and sensor interfaces to rapidly identify hardware faults, low-level software bugs, and integration bottlenecks.

• A bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, or a closely related field is required.
• 2+ years of experience in software development, embedded systems, or systems engineering, with a strong focus on Linux deployment and automotive hardware integration.
• Linux Deployment Proficiency: Proven experience building, deploying, and maintaining Linux operating systems in embedded or edge-computing environments. Expertise in Linux command-line tooling, bash scripting, and system-level diagnostics.
• Automotive Protocols & UDS Expertise: Strong working knowledge of vehicle network architectures (Automotive Ethernet, CAN/CAN-FD) and hands-on experience implementing Unified Diagnostic Services (UDS) for vehicle communication.
• Sensor Integration Experience: Deep understanding of ADAS sensors (Lidar, Radar, Camera) and precision Positioning Systems (GNSS, RTK, IMU). Proven ability to integrate, calibrate, and debug these sensors for high-volume data collection.
• HMI/UI Development: Experience with mobile, embedded, or desktop UI/UX development frameworks (e.g., Java/Kotlin/Swift, React/Angular, or other HMI tools) to build functional engineering tools.
• Networking Knowledge: Strong understanding of network architecture (TCP/IP, UDP, PTP/gPTP) and debugging high-speed data links.
• Programming Languages: Proficiency in Python (for scripting and data analysis) and professional experience with C++ for developing high-performance, system-level components.

Salary Range for California Based Applicants: $162,800-203,500 (actual compensation will be determined based on experience, location, and other factors permitted by law).

Benefits Summary: Rivian 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.

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 ev.careers .

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.

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