About the job
Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies combine the strengths of two established automotive leaders to advance mobility solutions. Their joint efforts focus on developing operating systems, advanced zonal controllers, cloud infrastructure, and connectivity for electric vehicles. The partnership addresses the evolving needs of software-defined vehicles and aims to set new benchmarks for the automotive industry. The team’s expertise covers connectivity, artificial intelligence, and security, all aimed at building smarter and more sustainable vehicles.
Role overview
This Staff PCB Design Engineer role is based in Palo Alto, California. The position focuses on designing high-performance Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) for automotive Electronic Control Units (ECUs). Projects include critical systems such as Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), infotainment, zonal controllers, and vehicle access. Collaboration with cross-functional teams is central, and occasional travel may be required to support joint initiatives.
Expertise in PCB layout, power integrity, signal integrity, and high-speed signal routing is essential for success in this role.
What you will do
- PCB Design: Lead the design and implementation of high-speed and mixed-signal PCB layouts that meet automotive standards. Take responsibility for designs supporting ADAS, Battery Management Systems (BMS), body systems, and infotainment. Apply HDI design practices and work with interfaces such as DDR4, PCIe, CSI, and LVDS. Optimize package layouts to balance space and performance, and maintain the component library.
- Manufacturing Collaboration: Work with contract manufacturers to establish design rules and incorporate Design for Manufacturability (DFM) feedback, improving durability and performance in automotive applications.
- Process Development: Help develop workflows and processes between engineering and design teams. Configure ECAD tools to align with organizational design and release standards.
- Holistic Problem-Solving: Weigh design choices in the context of broader program goals and customer experience. Use data-driven methods to address technical challenges.

