Principal Sensor Integration Engineer

Job description

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 We are seeking a Hardware Systems Integration Lead to drive the integration, bring-up, and validation of state of the art ADAS sensor subsystems for our hardware autonomy platforms.

This role is deeply technical and hands-on, requiring a strong background in hardware systems engineering, sensor bring-up, vehicle integration, and cross-domain debugging.

You will be responsible for ensuring sensors function reliably and meet system-level performance targets under real-world operating conditions.

Responsibilities Lead the hardware integration and validation of all ADAS sensors (camera, radar, LiDAR) into prototype and production vehicle platforms.

Own the sensor electrical and mechanical interface definition, including power, data, thermal, and mounting constraints.

Define and drive sensor installation strategy, wiring harness specs, and connectorization schemes across vehicle variants.

Manage end-to-end sensor bring-up, including signal integrity checks, timing analysis, functional validation, and failure diagnostics.

Work closely with perception, controls, and embedded software teams to ensure sensor data integrity and system alignment.

Develop and execute system-level test plans, including lab validation, vehicle-level testing, and environmental stress screening (thermal, vibration, EMI/EMC).

Implement and refine sensor calibration and alignment processes, including static and dynamic calibration for multi-modal fusion readiness.

Own sensor DFMEAs, HARA assessments, and validation coverage tracking in support of ISO 26262 and SOTIF requirements.

Drive issue triage and resolution across HW, FW, and mechanical domains with a rigorous, data-driven approach.

Support sensor supplier selection, evaluation, and bring-up, including root cause analysis on field failures or yield issues.

Maintain ownership of integration documentation, test artifacts, and interface control specifications.

Qualifications Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, or a related field.

7+ years of experience in ADAS or automotive systems integration, with strong emphasis on hardware bring-up and validation.

Hands-on experience integrating camera, radar, and LiDAR sensors in automotive or robotics platforms.

Deep understanding of signal interfaces and protocols: GMSL, FPD-Link, CAN, Ethernet, SPI, MIPI, and synchronization methods (PTP, PPS).

Experience with automotive sensor mounting, packaging, sealing, and thermal constraints.

Proficiency with test equipment (oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, power analyzers), as well as vehicle data loggers and network analyzers.

Experience with vehicle integration and on-road validation, including structured debug of real-world sensor performance issues.

Familiarity with functional safety (ISO 26262) and automotive development processes (ASPICE, PPAP).

Experience delivering hardware for high level autonomous platforms (robotaxi, heavy truck, commercial AV).

Familiarity with sensor fusion algorithms and the impact of physical alignment, timing, and data integrity.

Working knowledge of sensor modeling and simulation tools.

Exposure to sensor calibration toolchains (e.g., PolySync, dSPACE, NI, or in-house systems).

Experience leading cross-disciplinary engineering efforts across mechanical, EE, and embedded teams.

Pay Disclosure Salary Range Palo Alto-Based Applicants: $219,000 -$313,000 (actual compensation will be determined based on experience, and other factors permitted by law).

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.

Required Skill Profession

Computer Occupations