Sr. Electronics Design and Characterization Engineer (Zonal BMS)

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies is a joint venture between two industry leaders with a clear vision for automotives next chapter. From operating systems to zonal controllers to cloud and connectivity solutions were addressing the challenges of electric vehicles through technology that will set the standards for software-defined vehicles around the world.

The road to the future is uncharted. By combining our expertise across connectivity AI security and more well map a new way forward. Working together well create a future thats more connected more intelligent more sustainable for everyone.

The Electronics Test and Validation team owns the module-level validation testing for all RV Tech electronic control units (ECUs). It is our responsibility to make sure RV Tech electronics are designed and manufactured correctly. With this goal in mind we develop scalable tools processes hardware and software solutions deployed for characterization validation and manufacturing.

In this role you will be a key individual contributor driving both design review and hardware characterization for vehicle electronics with a particular focus on Zonal ECUs. You are not just assessing finished boardsyou will actively review schematics alongside the EE design team early in the cycle providing critical feedback to optimize the design and architect best-in-class verification methods. Because Zonal controllers feature high-density I/O and complex power switching (high-side/low-side drivers e-fuses PWM/H-bridges and diagnostic circuits) success requires deep expertise in low-level electronics and circuit analysis. You will work cross-functionally across hardware engineering to ensure our electronics are built for peak performance reliability and seamless bench verification.

• Develop detailed design verification and characterization test plans and test requirements for all phases of ECU programs with input from reliability design and firmware teams.

• Execute characterization testing plans according to project milestones.

• Own test coverage reports and analysis.

• Perform bench-level characterization at IC and PCBA levels including high-side driver (HSD) and low-side driver behavior output current and voltage limits switching characteristics wetting current inrush and inductive kickback current sense accuracy quiescent and sleep current and thermal derating.

• Characterize protection and diagnostic behavior across fault conditions: open load short to battery short to ground pin-to-pin shorts over-current over-voltage reverse polarity and load dump and verify the ECU reports the correct diagnostics.

• Lead the electronic fuse testing efforts for Zonal ECUs including I2T characterization repeatability across temperature and correlation to design intent.

• Provide early feedback to design engineers regarding design decisions and testability.

• Support creation and present Design for Testability (DFT) reports for ECU designs.

• Follow characterization schedules and communicate status with upper management and cross-functional teams.

• Write automation scripts and instrumentation drivers to speed up characterization testing using Python using AI coding agents to accelerate development while owning code quality review and validation.

• Leverage AI tooling to analyze characterization datasets at scale surfacing parametric drift part-to-part and temperature-dependent variation outliers and failure clustering and turn those findings into concrete design or test recommendations with sound judgment about verifying AI-generated conclusions before acting on them.

• Work with software engineers to flash test and troubleshoot firmware.

• Participate in the cross-functional effort to root cause non-compliance test results during testing by leveraging data analysis and drive design firmware and test partners to closure on findings.

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS/MS or equivalent work experience in Electrical Engineering or related field.

• 7 years of experience in electronics design characterization and validation testing.

• Experience using lab instrumentation like oscilloscopes power supplies electronic loads digital multimeters DAQ source measure units current probes and switch matrices.

• Strong understanding of Electrical Engineering fundamentals and circuit analysis.

• Experience in scripting and data analysis using Python.

• Demonstrated use of AI tools (Claude Claude Code Copilot Cursor or similar) to write and refactor test code and to analyze characterization data with sound judgment about where AI-generated work needs human verification.

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands-on characterization experience with zonal/body controllers power distribution or e-fuse modules or motor/actuator drivers.

• Familiar with low-level firmware and C programming.

• Experience with Altium Designer.

• Working knowledge of vehicle electrical systems and communication buses (Ethernet SPI CAN LIN SENT etc.) and diagnostic protocols (UDS XCP).

• Experience in developing automated test setups.

• Experience designing custom PCBAs load emulation boards or high-current test fixtures.

• Practical understanding of automotive power fundamentals: load dump and transient immunity (ISO 7637 / ISO 16750) inrush and inductive kickback current sensing methods (shunt vs. Hall) grounding and return path design thermal derating and measurement uncertainty.

• Familiarity with ISO 26262 functional safety concepts and characterization evidence for ASIL-rated components.

• Experience in Databricks or similar environment.

• Proficient with using electronics simulation applications such as LTspice PSpice SIMetrix

We build the exceptional and we believe the people doing that work should be rewarded addition to a competitive base salary full-time positions may be is eligible to participate in our annual company performance bonus program.

Payments are discretionary and not guaranteed; actual amounts depend on company results and the terms of the plan in effect and require active employment at the time of payout. This role is also eligible for equity in the form of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) subject to board approval and the terms of our equity incentive plans including applicable vesting requirements.

In addition to our compensation programs we invest in our people with a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the health wellbeing and financial future for full-time employees including health coverage retirement savings time off and family planning programs. Offerings vary by country. Learn more about our global benefit programs.

External candidates can apply for this role through the Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies careers site ( If you are a current employee please apply through our internal job board.

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. 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. We are also committed to ensuring compliance with all applicable fair employment practice laws regarding citizenship and immigration status.

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies 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

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Please note this job posting represents an open active vacancy. Additionally we are not currently accepting applications from third party application services.

Required Experience:

Senior IC