Automotive Engineering Intern Jobs in California

About Us
Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies is a joint venture between two industry leaders with a clear vision for automotive's next chapter. From operating systems to zonal controllers to cloud and connectivity solutions, we're 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, we'll map a new way forward. Working together, we'll create a future that's more connected, more intelligent, more sustainable for everyone.
Candidates should be available for a full-time commitment from January 11, 2027 to August 13, 2027.
This is a general application used to fill multiple internship openings across our Vehicle Controls teams. If selected, you will be matched to a specific team based on your background and interests during the interview process.

• Engineering Intern, Electrical Systems
• Software Engineering Intern, Charging
• Software Engineering Intern, Controls Test and Automation
• Software Engineering Intern, Embedded Software
• Software Engineering Intern, Embedded Software Programming
• Software Engineering Intern, Energy Storage and Distribution
• Software Engineering Intern, Functional Safety
• Software Engineering Intern, High Voltage Charging
• Software Engineering Intern, Mechanisms
• Software Engineering Intern, Systems Architecture
• Software Engineering Intern, Systems Engineering, Propulsion
• Software Engineering Intern, Test Automation
• Software Engineering Intern, Test Automation and Lighting
• Software Engineering Intern, Thermal Controls
• Software Engineering Intern, Unit Testing and Automation
• Software Engineering Intern, Vehicle Dynamics Controls
• Systems Engineering Intern, Homologation

Role Summary
When software-defined vehicles accelerate, manage battery temperature during fast charge, activate body controls, respond to steering input, or detect a system fault, the embedded software making that possible was built by a vehicle controls team. As a Vehicle Controls intern, you will work on embedded software or controls algorithms for one of several vehicle domains, including propulsion and dynamics, energy storage and charging, thermal and HVAC systems, body controls, functional safety, or systems engineering and test automation supporting these domains.
Specific project areas vary by team and may include:

• Implementing and validating embedded software for battery management, charging, or energy distribution systems
• Developing controls software for thermal and HVAC systems, body controls, or lighting
• Contributing to vehicle dynamics or propulsion controls algorithms
• Supporting functional safety analysis and requirements for safety critical vehicle software
• Building and running automated tests in Unit, Software in the Loop, or Hardware in the Loop environments
• Working on systems engineering tasks such as requirements definition, architecture, or homologation

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and test embedded software or controls algorithms for an assigned vehicle domain
• Write production quality code in C or C++, with Python used for test tooling
• Collaborate with systems engineers and test engineers to validate features before deployment
• Support test execution in SIL, HIL, or bench environments and help debug issues that arise
• Communicate progress and technical tradeoffs to your team throughout the internship

Qualifications
Minimum:

• Currently enrolled in a Bachelor's or Master's program at an accredited US university
• Proficiency in C or C++, with some exposure to Python

Preferred:

• Actively pursuing a degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or a closely related field, with intent to return to school after the internship
• Coursework or project experience with embedded systems, control theory, or real time operating systems
• Familiarity with automotive communication protocols such as CAN, LIN, or Automotive Ethernet
• Exposure to MATLAB and Simulink for controls modeling
• Interest or coursework in functional safety concepts such as ISO 26262

Total Rewards
We build the exceptional - and we believe the people doing that work should be rewarded accordingly. In 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 (https://rivianvw.tech/#careers). If you are a current employee, please apply through our internal job board.
Equal Opportunity
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 candidateaccommodations@rivian.com.
Candidate Data Privacy
Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies" 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 and Volkswagen Group Technologies 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) record keeping; (vi) ensuring network and information security and preventing fraud; and (vii) as otherwise required or permitted by applicable law.
Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies 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 and Volkswagen Group Technologies affiliates; and (iii) Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies' service providers, including providers of background checks, staffing services, and cloud services.
Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies may transfer or store internationally your Candidate Personal Data, including to or in the United States, Canada, 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.
If you provide a mobile telephone number as part of your application or during the recruitment process, Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies may use that number to contact you via SMS text message for recruitment-related purposes, including scheduling, logistics, and status updates. Message and data rates may apply. You may opt out of SMS communications at any time by replying STOP to any text message you receive from us. Consent to receive SMS messages is not a condition of applying for or being considered for employment.
Please see our Candidate Data Privacy Notice (English)and Candidate Data Privacy Notice (Serbian) for more information.
Please note this job posting represents an open, active vacancy. Additionally, we are not currently accepting applications from third party application services.