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Sr. Electronics Design and Characterization Engineer (InfoConn)

Rivian & Volkswagen Group TechnologiesPalo Alto, CaliforniaTechnology and Innovation
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Salary
$138,100 - $198,100 USD
Job type
Full-time
Work mode
Remote
Posted
23 Sept 2026
Status
Open · checked 7d ago

About this role

The Sr. Electronics Design and Characterization Engineer position at Rivian & Volkswagen Group Technologies in Palo Alto, California, is a full-time remote role suited for an experienced electrical engineering professional. This position drives electronic design reviews and hardware characterization for vehicle electronics, focusing specifically on Infotainment and Connectivity electronic control units.

Role Overview

As part of the Electronics Test and Validation team, this role is responsible for module-level validation testing for all electronic control units. The engineer collaborates early in the cycle by reviewing schematics with the electrical engineering design team to optimize designs and establish verification strategies. Responsibilities span power integrity, signal integrity, RF performance, and thermal behavior across advanced automotive computing hardware.

Key Responsibilities

Create comprehensive design verification and characterization test plans alongside reliability, design, RF, and firmware teams.
Execute bench-level characterization testing at integrated circuit and printed circuit board assembly levels, covering power sequencing, transient response, and thermal throttling.
Evaluate high-speed interfaces at connectors, including camera and display serdes links, USB, PCIe, automotive Ethernet, and debug interfaces.
Measure conducted radio frequency performance of integrated wireless systems such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular, ultra-wideband, NFC, and Global Navigation Satellite Systems.
Investigate protection and fault mechanisms including over-voltage, reverse polarity, and power interrupts.
Partner with software teams to flash, test, and troubleshoot firmware, bootloaders, and test modes.
Perform cross-functional root cause analysis for non-compliance test results and implement design fixes.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science or Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering or a related technical discipline.
Minimum of 7 years of professional experience in electronics design, validation testing, and characterization.
Familiarity with laboratory equipment such as high-bandwidth oscilloscopes, vector network analyzers, bit error rate testers, power supplies, and source measure units.
Practical knowledge of power and signal integrity, circuit analysis, and radio frequency fundamentals.
Proficiency in scripting and data analysis using Python.
Experience applying artificial intelligence tools for writing test code and analyzing large characterization datasets.

Nice to Have

Practical characterization background with infotainment systems, cockpit compute, telematics units, or connectivity gateways.
Experience debugging radio coexistence and desense issues.
Familiarity with low-level firmware, C programming, and Linux, Android, or QNX command line environments.
Working knowledge of Altium Designer, vehicle communication buses, and diagnostic protocols.
Background in developing custom printed circuit boards, interposers, or characterization fixtures.

Skills and Tools

Python scripting and automation
AI coding and dataset analysis tools
High-bandwidth oscilloscopes, VNAs, and BERT instruments
Wireless connectivity testers and spectrum analyzers
Power and signal integrity analysis

Salary and Benefits

This full-time position offers a competitive base salary ranging from $138,100 to $198,100 per year in USD. Eligible employees may participate in an annual company performance bonus program and receive equity through Restricted Stock Units, subject to board approval and plan terms. A comprehensive benefits package covering health, retirement, time off, and family planning is also provided.

About the Company

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies operates as a joint venture combining industry leadership to shape the future of software-defined electric vehicles. The organization focuses on zonal controllers, operating systems, cloud capabilities, and connectivity solutions to drive sustainable automotive technology.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit their application directly through the official Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies careers site.

Skills and tech stack

Python

Questions candidates ask

What is the salary range for this position?

The base salary ranges from $138,100 to $198,100 per year.

Where is the job located?

The role is based in Palo Alto, California, with remote work options available.

How many years of experience are required?

Candidates must have 7 or more years of experience in electronics design, characterization, and validation testing.

What programming language is required for the role?

Python scripting and data analysis experience is required.

What additional financial compensation is offered besides base salary?

Eligible employees may participate in an annual performance bonus program and receive Restricted Stock Units equity.

Ready to apply?

The application is on the official Rivian & Volkswagen Group Technologies careers page.

Apply on company site