What you'd actually do

Communicate with core stakeholders to identify the required User Stories to be delivered by the system.

Derive the appropriate system level requirements (functional and non-functional) to robustly deliver the high-level User Stories.

Develop detailed mathematical or logical models (often using tools like MATLAB/Simulink or Enterprise Architect) to describe exactly how the feature behaves under different vehicle states.

Generate architectural level decisions to implement the appropriate solutions.

Design tests that prove the derived requirements and the original user stories are met. This includes unit testing, integration testing, and full vehicle validation on the road.

Skills

Required

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline
Systems Engineering
Requirements Elicitation
Validation
Requirements Management Tools (Flow, Jama)
Engineering Modeling Tools (MATLAB/Simulink, Enterprise Architect)
Architecture Development
Root-cause Analysis
Communication Skills

Nice to have

Lighting Systems Engineering
Automotive Data Bus Logging Tools (Vector Canalyzer, CANoe, CANape)

What the JD emphasized

5+ years (preferred) of applicable systems Engineering (Lighting Preferred), eliciting requirements or running validation.

Capable of managing a complete system (Lighting Preferred) through the complete standard V-cycle including vehicle level integration and testing with a degree of oversight from a Senior Engineer

Demonstrated proficiency in requirements management tools (Flow and Jama preferred) as well as engineering modeling tools such as Simulink or Enterprise Architect.

This role includes significant focus (approximately 50%) on architecture development and refinement

Preferred experience using automotive data bus logging tools such as Vector Canalyzer, CANoe and CANape.

About Rivian Rivian is on a mission to keep the world adventurous forever. This goes for the emissions-free Electric Adventure Vehicles we build, and the curious, courageous souls we seek to attract. As a company, we constantly challenge what’s possible, never simply accepting what has always been done. We reframe old problems, seek new solutions and operate comfortably in areas that are unknown. Our backgrounds are diverse, but our team shares a love of the outdoors and a desire to protect it for future generations. Role Summary As an automotive lighting systems engineer, you will play a critical role in the design, development, and validation of exterior lighting systems on our Rivian vehicles. Your responsibilities span the entire product lifecycle, from initial concept to mass production and beyond. You must combine strong analytical skills, creative problem-solving abilities, and excellent communication to bring innovative and compliant lighting solutions to life in our vehicle product line. You will serve as a key technical contact, facilitating communication among RV Tech (Body Controls), Engineering and Suppliers. Your role will involve cross-functional collaboration to ensure seamless vehicle level integration of each lamp as well as robust vehicle level verification as well as homologation compliance. Responsibilities Communicate with core stakeholders to identify the required User Stories to be delivered by the system. Understand the why and what from product owners, marketing, and safety teams. Derive the appropriate system level requirements (functional and non-functional) to robustly deliver the high-level User Stories. Develop detailed mathematical or logical models (often using tools like MATLAB/Simulink or Enterprise Architect) to describe exactly how the feature behaves under different vehicle states. Generate architectural level decisions to implement the appropriate solutions. Maintain lighting system architecture for the allocated vehicles as well as generate architectural level decisions to drive optimized solutions based on provided trading parameters (usually cost, weight and time). Quality Assurance: Design tests that prove the derived requirements and the original user stories are met. This includes unit testing, integration testing, and full vehicle validation on the road. Conduct high level root-cause analysis for any lighting system faults. Investigate system-level failures, often involving reviewing communication logs (CAN traces), module diagnostics, and correlating them with the functional model to find the source of the issue. Working directly with Design Release Engineers (DREs) for individual components and Tier 1 suppliers to ensure the production designs conform to the system architecture and requirements. Qualifications Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline 5+ years (preferred) of applicable systems Engineering (Lighting Preferred), eliciting requirements or running validation. Capable of managing a complete system (Lighting Preferred) through the complete standard V-cycle including vehicle level integration and testing with a degree of oversight from a Senior Engineer Demonstrated proficiency in requirements management tools (Flow and Jama preferred) as well as engineering modeling tools such as Simulink or Enterprise Architect. This role includes significant focus (approximately 50%) on architecture development and refinement Preferred experience using automotive data bus logging tools such as Vector Canalyzer, CANoe and CANape. Able to apply fundamental and first principles to identify analyse and resolve technical challenges Demonstrated ability to manage information, prioritize tasks, and communicate project status with clarity. Able to Communicate clearly and concisely with both technical and non-technical audiences. Pay Disclosure The salary range for this role is $107,800 - $142,900 for California based applicants. This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, shift, and organizational needs. The successful candidate may be eligible for annual performance bonus and equity awards. We offer a comprehensive package of benefits for full-time and part-time employees, their spouse or domestic partner, and children up to age 26, including but not limited to paid vacation, paid sick leave, and a competitive portfolio of insurance benefits including life, medical, dental, vision, short-term disability insurance, and long-term disability insurance to eligible employees. You may also have the opportunity to participate in Rivian’s 401(k) Plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program if you meet certain eligibility requirements. Full-time employee coverage is effective on their first day of employment. Part-time employee coverage is effective the first of the month following 90 days of employment. More information about benefits is available at rivianbenefits.com. Equal Opportunity Rivian is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. 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. Rivian 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 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 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 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 affiliates; and (iii) Rivian’s service providers, including providers of background checks, staffing services, and cloud services. Rivian may transfer or store internationally your Candidate Personal Data, including to or in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, 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 note that we are currently not accepting applications from third party application services.