Sr. Software Engineer OTA

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 The Senior Software Engineer - OTA will play a critical role in designing, developing, and maintaining middleware systems that enable Over-the-Air (OTA) software updates for connected vehicles.

You will be responsible for ensuring secure, efficient, and reliable OTA communication between vehicle systems and cloud infrastructure.

As a senior engineer, you will lead architectural decisions, mentor junior engineers, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure the delivery of scalable, high-performance middleware solutions.

Responsibilities Design & Development: Lead the design, implementation, and deployment of middleware components supporting OTA functionality and other connected services.

Develop APIs and communication protocols for data exchange between embedded systems, cloud platforms, and third-party services.

Ensure scalability, reliability, performance, and security of the OTA systems.

Collaboration: Work closely with cross-functional teams including cloud engineers, embedded software developers, and cybersecurity experts to integrate OTA systems.

Collaborate with product management to define OTA-related features and requirements.

Provide technical guidance to junior engineers and participate in code reviews.

Security & Compliance: Implement robust security mechanisms to ensure that OTA updates are delivered and installed safely.

Ensure compliance with automotive industry standards and regulations related to OTA technology, including data encryption, authentication, and integrity checks.

Maintenance & Optimization: Monitor, troubleshoot, and optimize OTA update processes to ensure seamless functionality in real-world conditions.

Continuously evaluate and improve middleware performance, reliability, and scalability.

Documentation: Create and maintain comprehensive technical documentation for OTA middleware components, including architectural designs, APIs, and system integration guides.

Qualifications Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.

Experience: 3+ years of software engineering experience, with a focus on middleware, embedded systems, or automotive software development.

Experience with Over-the-Air (OTA) software updates and associated technologies in the automotive or IoT space is highly desirable.

Strong experience in distributed systems, networking, and real-time communication protocols (e.g., MQTT, HTTP, TCP/IP).

Technical Skills: Proficiency in Rust and C/C++.

Experience with Linux-based systems and middleware frameworks.

Hands-on experience with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure) and vehicle communication protocols (e.g., CAN, Ethernet, UDS).

Familiarity with cybersecurity practices and secure software development.

Soft Skills: Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Strong leadership and mentoring abilities.

Effective communication skills for collaborating across engineering and business teams.

Preferred Qualifications: Experience in automotive software development (e.g., ISO 26262).

Familiarity with continuous integration and delivery (CI/CD) pipelines for OTA updates.

Knowledge of AI/ML models applied in automotive systems.

Pay Disclosure Salary Range/Hourly Rate for California Based Applicants: $146,900 - $183,600 (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 and part-time employees, their spouse or domestic partner, and children up to age 26.

Full Time Employee coverage is effective on the first day of employment.

Part-Time employee coverage is effective the first of the month following 90 days of employment.

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

Computer Occupations