Sr. Staff Vehicle Systems Architect

The role

You will lead vehicle-level mechatronic architecture for platform programs from concept through production. You will build models and processes to make data-driven decisions regarding controllers, functional allocation, and hardware distribution.

What you will do

• Lead vehicle-level architecture for platform programs including controllers, functional allocation, and packaging.
• Lead architecture trade studies with quantified outcomes.
• Use models to remove unnecessary controllers, harness runs, and sensors.
• Translate ambiguous partner asks into architecture decisions.
• Align architecture to technology roadmaps.
• Define correlation and characterization tests to validate models.
• Build AI-assisted pipelines for controller allocations and harness topologies.
• Build meta-models connecting features, functions, and interfaces.
• Author first-principles and stack-up models.
• Lead vehicle-level STPA as a design process.

Required qualifications

• BS/MS in Electrical, Mechanical, Systems, Aerospace or Computer Engineering, or an equivalent demonstrated record.
• 12+ years in automotive, aerospace or electromechanical systems engineering.
• At least one full program cycle owning system- or vehicle-level architecture decisions from concept to production.
• Demonstrated first-principles and stack-up modelling.
• Fluency across at least two of E/E architecture, vehicle controls SW, thermal and packaging, or mechanical integration.
• Worst-case and tolerance analysis practice (WCCA, Monte Carlo, DOE) applied to real designs.
• Strong Python.
• Comfortable in C++ or Julia/Modelica/Spice.
• git-native.
• Ability to bind ambiguous asks into decisions and defend them with numbers to executives and Brands.

Nice to have

• Systems-of-systems and meta-modelling experience: SysML v2, FMI/FMU co-simulation, parameter management across model hierarchies.
• Hands-on with LLM or agentic tooling applied to engineering artifacts.
• Cost engineering fluency — should-cost, BOM roll-ups, design-to-cost trades.
• STPA, FTA, ISO 26262 concept phase.
• Model correlation and test characterization experience.
• Experience building or shipping engineering tooling — internal platforms, AI-assisted analysis pipelines.

Benefits

• competitive base salary
• annual company performance bonus program
• equity in the form of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
• health coverage
• retirement savings
• time off
• family planning programs

About the company

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies is a joint venture between two industry leaders addressing the challenges of electric vehicles through technology for software-defined vehicles.