Climate Controls Engineer

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.

We are seeking a dedicated and innovative Climate Controls Engineer to join our software development team. This role is integral to the development and integration of control systems for vehicle features including cabin cooling, cabin heating, and actuator control development. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in electrical or mechanical engineering, with a focus on automotive or aerospace control systems.

• Develop embedded software in C for automotive ECUs
• Architect and develop control systems for HVAC including airflow and comfort models to be executed on embedded controllers
• Orchestrate HVAC software architecture and feature design
• Collaborate with cabin comfort teams across brands to drive unified solutions across programs
• Review requirements and produce high‑level functional specification designs for control solutions
• Create test cases and scripts to validate features in unit test, Software‑in‑the‑Loop (SIL) test, and Hardware‑in‑the‑Loop (HIL) test environments
• Develop intuitive diagnostic interfaces for controllers to facilitate troubleshooting and maintenance
• Utilize a multidisciplinary approach to troubleshoot functional problems within our vehicles by addressing root causes across physical, electrical, and software domains
• Prioritize and escalate issues based on user impact and program objectives for prompt resolution
• Project Management:
  Oversee multiple projects, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to specifications, while managing resources and budgets effectively
• Prioritize and accelerate issues based on user impact and program objectives for prompt resolution, demonstrating strong decision‑making skills
• Mentor and guide junior engineers, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and knowledge sharing within the engineering team

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or mechanical engineering
• 5+ years of experience working with controls development, integration, or calibration – automotive or aerospace experience preferred
• Knowledgeable about control theory principles & algorithm design like compensator design and PID tuning
• Familiar with fundamentals of heat transfer, thermodynamics, and/or human comfort
• Familiar with thermal and/or HVAC components including but not limited to water pumps, AC compressors, expansion valves, blower fans, and HVAC modules
• Development experience using C, C++, Rust, and/or Python
• Working experience in firmware integration, calibration, vehicle‑level testing, and/or SW debugging at the feature level
• Working experience with requirements management tools (Jama, Doors, or equivalent) preferred
• Working experience with issue tracking tools (Jira or equivalent) preferred
• Working experience with communication bus monitoring tools (Vector CANalyzer or equivalent) preferred
• Working experience with software calibration tools (Vector CANape, ETAS INCA, or equivalent) preferred
• Working experience with developing automated test cases in the unit testing, SIL, and/or HIL environment;
  Pytest, OpenHTF, or equivalent experience preferred
• Willingness to travel up to 10% as required

Salary Range/Hourly Rate for Irvine, California based applicants: $171,000‑213,900 USD (actual compensation will be determined based on experience, location, and other factors permitted by law).

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…