Staff Sensor Design 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. 

In this role, the Sensor Design Engineer will own sensor system design, bring-up, and
validation for the current and next generation of Rivian electric vehicles. This would be a highly
visible role working cross-functionally to influence design, contribute to solving sensor
system integration challenges, and experience the complete prototyping to manufacturing
product development cycle. You will be responsible for ensuring sensors function reliably
and meet system-level performance targets under real-world operating conditions.

- Lead the design, development, optimization, and validation of sensing systems and
components.
- Hands-on design and validation of prototype hardware and maturing the design by
characterizing and debugging test vehicles to optimize your design
- Evaluate and implement state-of-the-art signal processing techniques
- Coordinate with external partners and suppliers to leverage cutting-edge
technologies.
- Support sensor selection, evaluation, and bring-up, including root cause analysis on
field failures or yield issues.
- Drive technical decisions and guide the team in the right direction.
- Think holistically. Understand the impact of your plan or decision to program and
customers. Deep dive into technical issues to drive data-driven decisions.
- Perform other duties as required or assigned within the scope of the position

- BS + 10 years or MS + 8 years or PhD + 6 years or equivalent experience in electrical
engineering, computer engineering, or related field.
- Experience with automotive sensor mounting, packaging, sealing, and thermal
constraints.
- Proficiency with test equipment (oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, power analyzers), as
well as vehicle data loggers and network analyzers.
- Experience with vehicle integration and on-road validation, including debug of
real-world sensor performance issues.
- Demonstrated strong creative thinking and problem-solving toolbox
- Ability to collaborate and drive direction through multidisciplinary discussions
- Understanding of automotive requirements
- Have a fine eye for detail, yet the ability to ‘zoom out’ and see the big picture

The salary range for this role is $167,000 - $209,000 for Palo Alto, CA-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 an 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 ev.careers .

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.