Sr. Manager, Configuration & Release Management Processes & IT

Job description

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 To achieve our ambitious goals, we are seeking a visionary and yet effective experienced leader to steer our Process, Methods, and Tools (PMT) solutions for Configuration and Release Management.

This is a pivotal role where you will lead a highly skilled team, architecting our configuration, change, variant, and release management as the backbone of our development process for both software and ECUs. You will operate at the critical junction between RV Tech, Rivian and the Volkswagen Group brands, ensuring our processes are not only agile and automated but also rigorously compliant with global automotive regulations, especially with regard to the secure and traceable implementation of over-the-air (OTA) updates.

Responsibilities Lead & Empower: Lead, mentor, and empower a high-performing team of process and tool experts.

Foster a culture of open communication, continuous learning, and radical ownership.

Process, Methods and Tool Solutions: Develop and own the end-to-end PMT architecture for configuration, change, variant, and release management across our entire product portfolio, from pure software to complex ECU hardware.

Drive Cross-Company Integration: Act as the central driver for defining, aligning, and harmonizing process and tool interfaces between RV Tech and the diverse brands of the Volkswagen AG, coupling our agile, software-driven development approach with physically-centric approaches of traditional OEMs Ensure Regulatory Compliance: Architect and enforce a robust process framework that guarantees compliance with the strict requirements of a Software Update Management System (SUMS) under UNECE Regulation R156, ensuring the integrity and safety of all our vehicle software updates.

Champion Automation: Champion the relentless automation of our PMT processes to accelerate development velocity, eliminate friction, and minimize human error across the lifecycle.

Integrate the Toolchain: Own the seamless integration of our PMT solutions into the broader engineering tool landscape (PLM, ALM, CI/CD) and continuously scout new technologies to keep us at the cutting edge.

Navigate Stakeholders: Collaborate across organizational boundaries with teams in Software and Hardware Development, Systems Architecture, Homologation, Quality and other key partners to translate their needs into elegant and effective PMT solutions.

Qualifications A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical field.

10+ years proven experience in a leadership role, building and managing technical teams within the technology or automotive sectors.

Deep domain expertise in configuration, change, variant, and release management, especially as it applies to complex mechatronic systems (Software & ECUs).

Expert-level knowledge of UNECE regulations, particularly R156 (SUMS) and ideally R155 (CSMS), and a clear understanding of their impact on automotive development processes.

A unique blend of diplomatic skill and decisive leadership.

You have a demonstrated ability to navigate complex matrix organizations, build consensus, and enforce critical standards across corporate boundaries.

Fluency in Agile methodologies (Scrum, Kanban) and DevOps principles, with experience applying them to integrated software and hardware development.

Hands-on experience with modern PLM, ALM, and CI/CD toolchains.

Familiarity with automotive standards like Automotive SPICE or ISO 26262 is a significant plus.

Exceptional communication, negotiation, and influencing skills in both German and English, capable of articulating complex ideas to diverse audiences.

A proactive, mission-driven, and collaborative mindset with a passion for solving complex problems in a dynamic, fast-evolving environment.

Pay Disclosure Salary Range for Northern California Based Applicants: $173,000 - $216,300 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, and Rivian covers most of the premiums.

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.

Required Skill Profession

Operations Specialties Managers