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Staff Software Engineer - AI Platform

Rivian & Volkswagen Group TechnologiesPalo Alto, CaliforniaTechnology and Innovation
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Salary
$206.5K – $283.9K
Job type
Full-time
Work mode
Remote
Posted
30 Jul 2026
Status
Open · checked 8d ago

About this role

The Staff Software Engineer - AI Platform position at Rivian & Volkswagen Group Technologies in Palo Alto offers a chance to shape the future of software-defined vehicles through advanced artificial intelligence. This role suits an experienced distributed systems expert eager to lead large-scale generative AI and agentic application initiatives.

Role Overview

As a Staff Software Engineer specializing in agentic applications, the individual acts as a defining technical authority to shape the GenAI platform architecture and strategy. The professional integrates large language models with internal and customer-facing applications at scale, driving cognitive automation, streamlining workflows, and improving decision-making processes. The role sets organizational standards for resilient, scalable, and observable distributed systems.

Key Responsibilities

Architect and lead the development of highly scalable intelligent agents utilizing LLMs to automate workflows and optimize operations across multiple teams.
Define the technical vision and long-term strategy for integrating LLMs into the evolving software ecosystem.
Partner with product managers and engineering leaders to guide the cognitive automation roadmap, handling tasks like information extraction and summarization.
Own the entire development lifecycle for critical machine learning-powered tools and applications from conceptualization to deployment.
Implement and enforce industry-leading engineering standards for production-grade, distributed machine learning solutions.
Research emerging trends in machine learning, AI agents, and distributed systems to translate findings into actionable strategy.
Collaborate with machine learning engineers and senior leadership to align on project scope and represent engineering at the executive level.
Mentor engineering talent across levels and contribute to hiring strategies and technical bar-raising.

Requirements

Advanced degree such as a Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Machine Learning, or a related field.
Minimum of 12 years of hands-on software engineering experience focused on designing and building large-scale distributed systems.
Extensive practical experience building and deploying complex agentic applications leveraging LLMs in production.
Expert-level grasp of machine learning principles, algorithms, evaluation metrics, and distributed systems best practices.
Demonstrated success owning the design, deployment, and operation of scalable backend software in high-stakes production environments.
Strong communication and teamwork skills with a proven ability to build consensus among executive stakeholders.

Skills and Tools

Python
AWS
Kubernetes
Golang (strongly preferred)
LLM and machine learning frameworks
Scalable distributed systems

Salary and Benefits

The base salary for this full-time position ranges from $206,500 to $283,900 USD per year. Eligible employees may participate in an annual company performance bonus program subject to plan terms and active employment status. The role also qualifies for equity in the form of Restricted Stock Units, subject to board approval and vesting requirements. A comprehensive benefits package is included, featuring health coverage, retirement savings, paid time off, and family planning programs.

About the Company

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies operates as a joint venture combining industry-leading expertise to address the challenges of electric vehicles. The organization focuses on operating systems, zonal controllers, cloud connectivity, and artificial intelligence solutions to set global standards for software-defined vehicles.

How to Apply

External candidates should submit applications directly through the official Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies careers site.

Skills and tech stack

PythonLLMLLMsKubernetesAWSGolangMachine LearningDistributed Systems

Questions candidates ask

What is the salary range for the Staff Software Engineer - AI Platform role?

The base salary ranges from $206,500 to $283,900 USD per year, with eligibility for annual performance bonuses and Restricted Stock Units.

Where is the position located?

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

What level of experience is required?

Candidates must have 12+ years of hands-on experience in software engineering with a deep focus on designing and building large-scale distributed systems.

What programming languages and technical tools are required?

Key requirements include proficiency in Python, Golang (strongly preferred), AWS, Kubernetes, and experience with large language models and distributed systems.

How do I apply for this job?

External candidates can apply directly through the official Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies careers site.

Ready to apply?

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

Apply on company site