Senior Staff Systems Engineer

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies

. Own end-to-end system definition for vehicle motion control features across multiple vehicle programs and software packages, focusing on Traction Control, All-Wheel Drive and Torque Vectoring .

Posted 10/2/2026full-timeIrvine • California • United StatesSenior💰 $218,200 - $300,100 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in vehicle motion control systems, including Traction Control, All-Wheel Drive, and Torque Vectoring, with a strong focus on requirements management, validation processes, and functional safety standards. Proficient in Python scripting and experienced in using AI-assisted tools to enhance engineering deliverables.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Vehicle Dynamics EngineeringRequirements ManagementPython ScriptingISO 26262 Functional SafetyHIL Validation Experience

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Vehicle Motion ControlTraction Control SystemsAll-Wheel Drive SystemsTorque Vectoring SystemsRequirements TraceabilityCAN FDFlexRayAutomotive EthernetDFMEATest Case Specification

Soft Skills

Strong Written CommunicationDecision Making Under Ambiguity

Tools & Technologies

JamaFlowDOORSAI Coding AssistantsHIL Testing Tools

Industry Keywords

Systems EngineeringChassis ControlsBrake SystemsFunctional SafetyGlobal In-Vehicle Testing

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Python

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Own end-to-end system definition for vehicle motion control features across multiple vehicle programs and software packages, focusing on Traction Control, All-Wheel Drive and Torque Vectoring
Define logical architecture, boundary diagrams, function allocation, state machines, sequence diagrams and theory of operation
Support development of plant models for Propulsion and Vehicle Dynamics components
Develop and release vehicle-, system- and component-level requirements with full traceability to test cases
Drive functional allocation decisions across zonal controllers, brake ECUs and secondary ECUs
Define interfaces and signals for CAN FD, FlexRay and backbone Ethernet
Serve as technical point of contact to VW Group brand engineering teams and negotiate interfaces and allocations
Commit features to software releases and escalate risks
Contribute to DFMEAs and ISO 26262 functional-safety work products
Formulate DVP&R across SIL, HIL, component and vehicle levels and author automated HIL tests in Python
Triage nightly HIL regression failures and determine release-blocker status
Troubleshoot bench, proving-ground and fleet issues using root-cause analysis and logged data
Prepare design-review gate packages and close open items
Report feature status against maturity and release gates
Interface with controls, firmware, validation, ADAS, HMI, diagnostics, homologation, functional safety and service teams
Use AI-assisted tools to improve engineering deliverables
Support global in-vehicle testing and validation, including winter and proving-ground events

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's degree or higher in Mechanical, Electrical, Automotive, Mechatronics or Controls Engineering (Master's preferred)
8+ years of systems engineering experience focused on vehicle dynamics, chassis controls or brake systems, including taking a feature from concept to production release
Working knowledge of Traction Control, All-Wheel Drive and Torque Vectoring systems at the control-strategy level
Experience owning requirements in a formal requirements management tool with traceability to verification, such as Jama, Flow or DOORS
Experience with CAN/CAN FD, FlexRay, LIN, automotive Ethernet, and ARXML or DBC-based signal definition
Validation experience at SIL, HIL, component or vehicle level, including test-case specification and distinguishing test defects from software defects
Python scripting experience
Understanding of ISO 26262 functional safety guidelines and familiarity with DFMEA/STPA processes
Demonstrated use of AI coding assistants or AI-powered analysis tools in an engineering context
Strong written communication and ability to decide under ambiguity
Willingness to work across time zones and travel internationally occasionally

Benefits

Comp & perks

Annual company performance bonus program; annual bonus target of 15%
Equity in the form of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Health coverage
Retirement savings
Time off
Family planning programs
Hybrid work arrangement
International travel opportunities