What are the responsibilities and job description for the Staff Systems Engineer, Battery Thermal Control position at Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies?
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 seeking a highly skilled Battery Thermal Controls Systems Engineer to define, develop, and optimize thermal control strategies for high-voltage (HV) battery systems. The ideal candidate will design advanced thermal estimation and control algorithms, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and ensure compliance with battery safety, durability, and performance standards.
Responsibilities
Salary Range for Irvine, California Based Applicants: $171,100 - $213,900 per year (actual compensation will be determined based on experience, location, and other factors permitted by law).
Salary Range for Palo Alto, California Based Applicants: $186,000 - $232,500 per year (actual compensation will be determined based on experience, location, and other factors permitted by law).
Benefits Summary: Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies provides robust medical/Rx, dental and vision insurance packages for full-time employees, their spouse or domestic partner, and children up to age 26. Coverage is effective on the first day of employment.
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 VW Group Technologies (“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) recordkeeping; (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.
Please see our Candidate Data Privacy Notice (English) and Candidate Data Privacy Notice (Serbian) for more information.
Please note that we are currently not accepting applications from third party application services.
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 seeking a highly skilled Battery Thermal Controls Systems Engineer to define, develop, and optimize thermal control strategies for high-voltage (HV) battery systems. The ideal candidate will design advanced thermal estimation and control algorithms, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and ensure compliance with battery safety, durability, and performance standards.
Responsibilities
- Define and develop system requirements for HV battery thermal control functions, including heating/cooling requests, preconditioning, temperature estimation, and temperature controls, while considering vehicle attributes, durability, and safety requirements.
- Design advanced thermal control algorithms and create detailed design documents, such as system boundary diagrams, flow charts, state machines, and sequence diagrams.
- Collaborate with internal and external teams to develop dynamic thermal models and simulation tools for algorithm design and optimization.
- Partner with the software team to develop scalable software architectures and component designs for battery thermal control functions.
- Ensure seamless integration of battery thermal controls with the vehicle’s thermal management system.
- Collaborate with the validation team to design and execute test plans, including unit testing, SIL, HIL, pack, and vehicle testing.
- Verify software implementation meets functional and performance requirements through rigorous testing and issue resolution.
- Analyze fleet data to evaluate thermal control algorithm performance and identify opportunities for improvement.
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, or a related field.
- 5 years of experience in thermal systems control, battery thermal management, or related fields.
- Proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink for modeling and control system development.
- Strong knowledge of thermal systems and control theory.
- Hands-on experience with embedded control systems and real-time software development.
- Experience with battery cooling and heating technologies (e.g., liquid cooling, air cooling, phase change materials).
- Familiarity with HiL/SIL environments and tools such as dSPACE, Vector CANape/CANalyzer.
- Strong problem-solving, communication, and teamwork skills.
- Experience developing advanced control strategies, such as machine learning or model predictive control (MPC).
- Knowledge of EV electrical and electronic (EE) hardware and software architectures, including HV and LV systems components.
- Experience with functional safety (ISO 26262) in thermal control applications.
Salary Range for Irvine, California Based Applicants: $171,100 - $213,900 per year (actual compensation will be determined based on experience, location, and other factors permitted by law).
Salary Range for Palo Alto, California Based Applicants: $186,000 - $232,500 per year (actual compensation will be determined based on experience, location, and other factors permitted by law).
Benefits Summary: Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies provides robust medical/Rx, dental and vision insurance packages for full-time employees, their spouse or domestic partner, and children up to age 26. Coverage is effective on the first day of employment.
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 VW Group Technologies (“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) recordkeeping; (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.
Please see our Candidate Data Privacy Notice (English) and Candidate Data Privacy Notice (Serbian) for more information.
Please note that we are currently not accepting applications from third party application services.
Salary : $171,100 - $213,900
