Embedded Software Jobs in Santa Cruz, CA (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.
Embedded Software Engineer
Role Summary
We are looking for a Embedded Software Engineer who understands the lay of the land of this rapidly growing EV marketplace. Our dynamic team focuses on providing the foundational software stack for Design Verification of the PCBAs & ECUs (Electronic Control Units) for current and next-generation vehicle platforms, including Autonomy, Infotainment, and Vehicle Controls.
You will play a critical role in supporting ECU-level platform bring-up and validation, ensuring robust performance and seamless user experiences. This role is crucial for supporting ECU-level platform bring-up and validation across a next-generation embedded system stack, with a specific focus on cutting-edge infotainment systems. You'll play a critical role in bringing up and optimizing these complex systems, ensuring robust performance and seamless user experiences at the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) level.
You'll have the chance to collaborate with some of the brightest minds in developing the embedded hardware and software stack for this rapidly evolving EV industry. The ideal candidate will thrive in a fast- paced environment and possess a strong passion for innovation in embedded technologies.
Responsibilities
ECU Platform Bring-up & Optimization: Contribute to the bring-up of new hardware platforms at the ECU level for infotainment systems, including initial boot, driver integration, and system-level debugging.

• Validation Feature Development: Design, develop, and implement dedicated software features specifically for testing the ECU against its specifications. These features are critical for comprehensive validation at the ECU level.
• Diagnostic Improvement & Learning: Extract valuable learnings from the validation feature development and testing processes to continuously improve and enhance production diagnostics
• Validation & Testing: Develop and execute comprehensive validation strategies, including:
  
  • Stress Testing: Design and implement rigorous stress tests for critical ECU subsystems (CPU, GPU, NPU, Multimedia subsystems) to identify performance bottlenecks, thermal limitations, and ensure system stability under extreme loads.
  • Performance Benchmarking: Analyze and optimize ECU system performance, identifying areas for improvement and implementing efficient solutions.

• Manufacturing Software Development: Develop and maintain manufacturing software for End-of-Line (EOL) testing, ensuring quality control and efficient production processes for ECUs.
• Multimedia Subsystem Validation: Focus on validating and optimizing the camera and display subsystems at the ECU level, from driver integration and middleware validation to user-space application testing, ensuring high-quality multimedia experiences within the infotainment system.
• Collaboration: Work closely with hardware engineers, Validation & Test Automation teams, and other software architects/engineers to ensure seamless ECU integration and delivery of high-quality products.
• Troubleshooting & Debugging: Identify and resolve complex software and hardware issues at the ECU level, utilizing various debugging tools and techniques, with an ability to work across organizations/teams.
• Documentation: Create and maintain comprehensive documentation for software designs, APIs, and test procedures.
• Communication: Ability to crisply communicate with peers, stakeholders, customers, technical leaders, and OEMs/ODMs.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science/Engineering or a related field.
• 3+ years' experience in Embedded Software Development.
• Platforms: Strong hands-on experience with high-performance SoCs such as Snapdragon, NVIDIA Orin, MediaTek, or similar platforms. Experience with automotive-grade SoCs is a significant plus.
• Operating Systems & Virtualization: Proficient in Embedded Linux, QNX, DriveOS, and experience with hypervisor-based systems (e.g., Type-1 hypervisors, Gunyah, ACRN, etc.).
• Domain Expertise:
  
  • Strong background in multimedia development with a particular focus on camera and/or display subsystems - including driver integration, middleware, and user-space application development.
  • Proven experience in ECU-level software development for complex infotainment systems.
  • Experience with performance analysis and optimization of CPU, GPU, and NPU workloads
• Programming Languages: Expert proficiency in C, C++, and Python.
• Good understanding of Linux and/or RTOS fundamentals, Board Support Packages,
  kernel configuration, device driver interfaces, and debugging tools.
• Hands-on experience using Lauterbach, Oscilloscope, JTAG, and flashing tools.
• Solid understanding of interface protocol stacks (SPI, I2C, Ethernet, PCIe), and board
  bring-up.
• Experience with scripting languages (Python, shell).
• Comfortable and effective working in fast-paced environments such as startups, consumer electronics, or automotive domains, with a proven ability to adapt to evolving requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of OS internals (process scheduler, memory management, concurrency,
  synchronization, storage).
• Knowledge of hypervisors and virtualization in the automotive industry.
• Experience with ARM cores and architecture.
• Experience in using electronic test equipment for debugging at the hardware level.
• Experience with embedded toolchains (compilers, linkers, linker scripts).
• Experience with automotive communication protocols (e.g., CAN, Ethernet).
• Familiarity with functional safety standards (e.g., ISO 26262).
• Experience with continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines for embedded systems.

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.