AI Systems and Validation 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’re looking for an experienced Software Engineer to join our growing AI Systems team within the Imaging and AI division. In this role, you will drive critical testing and validation efforts across advanced camera systems, computer vision pipelines, GenAI model deployment, and embedded systems for our next‑generation automotive solutions. Your expertise in low‑level system profiling, firmware integration, and performance testing will directly impact the success of our products as we partner with multiple OEMs in the automotive sector.

If you have a strong background in embedded systems, a deep understanding of AI technologies, and a passion for evaluation and validation, we would love to hear from you.

• AI Model Evaluation & Validation: Lead the testing and validation of cutting‑edge AI products including voice assistants and core speech models like Wake‑Word Detection (WWD), Voice Activity Detection (VAD), Text‑to‑Speech (TTS), and Speech‑to‑Text (STT).
• Performance & Accuracy Testing: Design and execute comprehensive test plans to evaluate model performance, focusing on key metrics such as accuracy, latency, robustness, and computational efficiency (MIPS, memory footprint). Validate model behaviour across a wide range of real‑world acoustic conditions.
• End‑to‑End System Integration: Validate deployment and integration of speech models onto embedded hardware platforms. Ensure seamless interaction between AI models, system firmware, and hardware components to deliver a stable and responsive user experience.
• Simulation and Emulation (HIL/SIL): Develop and execute Hardware‑in‑the‑Loop and Software‑in‑the‑Loop test strategies to simulate complex automotive environments and user interactions. Identify integration issues and performance bottlenecks before deployment.
• Automation Development: Write and maintain robust, scalable test automation scripts and frameworks using Python to support unit, functional, stress, and end‑to‑end testing within a CI/CD pipeline.
• Cross‑Functional
  
  Collaboration:
  
  Work closely with AI researchers, software developers, and hardware engineers to understand model architecture, define quality standards, and drive issue resolution.
• Stress & Regression Testing: Execute long‑duration and stress tests to identify regressions, performance degradation, and model drift over time, ensuring the long‑term stability of our AI products.

• 5+ years of experience in software quality assurance, with a strong focus on AI/ML product testing, especially voice assistants or speech recognition systems.
• Proven experience testing and evaluating AI models for speech technologies, with deep understanding of relevant performance metrics.
• Proficiency in testing AI models on embedded systems, with solid understanding of hardware constraints (CPU, memory, power).
• Strong programming skills in Python and hands‑on experience with test automation frameworks.
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines and tools (e.g., Git Lab CI, Jenkins).
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with a proactive approach to identifying and resolving complex system‑level issues.
• Ability to interpret product requirements and OEM specifications to create comprehensive test plans and validation strategies for AI features.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate effectively with cross‑functional technical teams.

• Background in the automotive industry, especially with in‑cabin voice interfaces and infotainment systems.
• Knowledge of audio processing,…