Contract Test Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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.
Role Summary
As a Staff Product Launch Test Engineer, you will independently lead the production launch process across multiple ECU programs, applying wide-ranging expertise in test engineering and manufacturing to resolve complex problems through creative, multi-variable analysis. You will define testing strategies, drive cross-functional alignment with key contacts outside your immediate area, and coordinate the activities of other engineers and contract manufacturer teams as needed. Your contributions will directly impact the performance and quality of RVTech's cutting-edge electronic modules, ensuring successful transitions from Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) to high-volume manufacturing at contract manufacturer locations.
Responsibilities
Testing Strategy and Industrialization

• Independently define and own production testing specifications for feasibility and scalability across multiple ECU programs, applying in-depth evaluation of variable factors to select optimal methods and techniques.
• Drive the full industrialization of ECU flashing processes, from protocol selection (JTAG/DAP/ISP) through volume qualification, with minimal direction from senior staff.
• Lead DFT analysis with contract manufacturers and internal stakeholders, making independent judgments on methods and evaluation criteria to optimize test coverage and throughput.
• Proactively identify high-risk areas in the production and engineering design cycle, proposing and evaluating new or improved manufacturing test approaches without waiting for direction.

Cross-Functional Leadership and Coordination

• Serve as the primary test engineering point of contact for cross-functional teams including Design Engineering, Product Launch, Supplier Excellence, and VWG governance stakeholders.
• Coordinate test engineering activities across contract manufacturer sites (e.g., USI, Pegatron, Inventec, Flex), aligning capacity plans, tester deployment schedules, and commissioning milestones.
• May coordinate the activities of junior test engineers or CM technicians, acting as Team Lead for tester bring-up and production readiness activities.
• Drive completion of PFMEA and PPAP with main stakeholders, ensuring test coverage is aligned with quality gate requirements at each MLA milestone.

Issue Resolution and Root Cause Analysis

• Independently identify, root cause, and track production test failures, working closely with Design Engineers to implement design changes during launch and early production.
• Lead failure analysis of complex electronic module issues, applying in-depth evaluation of variable factors and exercising independent judgment in selecting investigation techniques.
• Drive corrective action processes through to verified closure, maintaining strong documentation practices aligned with IATF/VDA quality system requirements.
• Establish and monitor production testing KPIs (FPY, OEE, installed vs. planned capacity) and present findings to program leadership.

Qualifications
Experience

• 6+ years of experience in the development, build, and commissioning of test equipment for electronic modules, including ICT, EOL testers, and programming stations - demonstrating wide-ranging expertise across multiple platforms or programs.
• Bachelor's in Electrical, Electronics, Mechatronics, Manufacturing, or a related engineering field plus 6 years of relevant experience; or Master's plus 4 years; or PhD plus 3 years; or equivalent experience.
• Demonstrated experience independently resolving complex test engineering challenges in high-volume production environments, including multi-variable root cause analysis.
• Experience working with communication protocols including CAN, TCP/IP, UDS, XCP; and programming interfaces including JTAG/DAP/ISP.
• Hands-on experience with production testing capacity analysis (installed vs. planned capacity, OEE) and presenting recommendations to stakeholders.
• Background in automotive, semiconductor, or consumer electronics industries, with experience operating across engineering and contract manufacturing interfaces.
• Experience with HW cloud data products and storage data arrays (e.g., AWS or equivalent) for test data management.

Skills and Competencies

• Forward-thinking mindset with demonstrated ability to propose, evaluate, and implement new or improved manufacturing test methods without requiring detailed direction.
• Strong leadership capability to drive and sustain supplier manufacturing test processes to the highest standards, including coordinating activities across CM partners.
• Proven ability to manage ambiguity, run multiple concurrent programs, and create clarity for stakeholders in complex, fast-moving launch environments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to network effectively with key contacts outside own area of expertise, including VWG governance and executive stakeholders.
• Strong attention to detail; skilled at working across hardware, electrical, and software engineering disciplines to optimize PCBA test coverage.
• Proficient in data analysis tools (CSV, TXT, Python) for performance tracking, capacity analysis, and issue resolution; strong documentation practices.

Technical Expertise

• Deep expertise with automotive diagnostic protocols (UDS, XCP) and production programming protocols (JTAG, DAP, ISP).
• Proficiency in LabVIEW and Python for test automation; familiarity with NI TestStand for automated test sequence management.
• Experience with modular test instruments and I/O systems (PXI, cDAQ) and instrumentation over multiple buses and protocols (USB, VISA, GPIB, Ethernet, RS-485).
• Deep understanding of automotive PPAP process and its application in production quality gates.
• Experience in high-rate production environments, especially working with Contract Manufacturers on PCBA production quality and test optimization.
• Solid understanding of technical documentation including datasheets, wiring diagrams, and system specifications.

Additional Requirements

• Willingness and ability to travel to contract manufacturer locations (domestic and international) as needed to support test development, tester commissioning, and production activities.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, adapt to changing priorities, and independently determine the best course of action on new and ambiguous assignments.

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.