Head Audio Jobs (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
We are looking for a passionate and meticulous Systems Integration Engineer to craft the
signature sound experience in our vehicles. This role is central to ensuring our audio
features-from immersive music and media to crystal-clear voice commands and safety
alerts-achieve the highest standard of quality and performance.
You will be the critical link between software development and the in-vehicle experience. You'll
be responsible for integrating complex audio software, developing sophisticated test
environments, and performing the hands-on tuning and validation that transforms a good audio
system into a great one. If you have a critical ear, love solving complex technical puzzles, and
are obsessed with audio fidelity, this is the perfect opportunity for you.
Responsibilities

• Develop Automation Frameworks: Design and maintain a robust automation
  framework in Python to validate audio features, performance, and stability.
• Scale Test Harnesses: Build and manage hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) and
  software-in-the-loop (SIL) benches that accurately simulate the vehicle's acoustic and
  infotainment environment.
• In-Vehicle Tuning & Testing: Conduct hands-on subjective and objective audio
  tuning and validation in prototype and production vehicles. Identify, troubleshoot, and
  resolve integration issues related to audio quality and system performance.
• Troubleshoot & Debug: Perform deep-dive analysis of system logs and traces to debug
  complex issues related to audio drivers, DSP algorithms, media playback, and
  network streaming. Isolate issues related to pops/clicks, latency, and synchronization.
• Voice & Microphone Performance: Integrate and validate microphone array
  performance, Acoustic Echo Cancellation (AEC), and Noise Reduction (NR)
  algorithms to ensure flawless hands-free calling and voice assistant reliability.
• Define Quality Standards: Collaborate with acoustic engineers and cross-functional
  partners to establish and enforce objective performance targets (THD+N, SNR, latency)
  and subjective quality benchmarks for all audio products.
• Collaborate Cross-Functionally: Partner closely with software developers, QA
  engineers, and hardware teams to define integration strategies, create detailed test
  plans, and ensure seamless feature delivery.
• Documentation: Create clear documentation for test cases, automation scripts, tuning
  results, and bug reports to ensure reproducibility and knowledge sharing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical
  field.
• 3-5+ years of experience in software integration, audio engineering, or system validation,
  preferably in an automotive or consumer electronics environment.
• Strong proficiency in a scripting language, particularly Python, for automation and data
  analysis.
• Experience working with embedded operating systems such as QNX, Android, or Linux
  and using shell scripting for system-level debugging.
• A deep understanding of digital audio principles and Digital Signal Processing (DSP)
  concepts (EQ, compression, limiters, crossovers, delay).
• Hands-on experience with objective audio measurement tools (e.g., Audio Precision,
  HEAD acoustics, spectrum analyzers) to evaluate system performance.
• Proven debugging and problem-solving skills, with the ability to analyze complex
  technical challenges across the entire audio signal path.
• A valid driver's license and a clean driving record.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience tuning and validating advanced audio features like Active Noise
  Cancellation (ANC) or Engine Sound Enhancement (ESE).
• Familiarity with audio-related technologies and protocols, such as Bluetooth (A2DP,
  HFP), Wi-Fi, and media streaming.
• Knowledge of automotive communication networks like CAN, LIN, or Automotive
  Ethernet (AVB/TSN) and analysis tools (e.g., CANoe, Wireshark).
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines and tools like Jenkins or GitLab.
• A critical ear for music and audio quality, with experience in subjective listening tests
  and audio evaluation.

Total Rewards
Full-time positions include base salary, eligibility for an annual performance bonus, and eligibility for equity.
In addition to base salary, Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies offers benefits tailored to the local market. For more information on the benefits available for full-time employees, check out our Global Benefits Site.
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.