---
title: 'Head of Technology Foundations at Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/head-of-technology-foundations-rivian-and-volkswagen-group-technologies-qrrf7m2g8nv1'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-11-08'
---

# Head of Technology Foundations at Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies

- **Company:** [Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies](https://feeny.ai/companies/rivian-and-volkswagen-group-technologies)
- **Location:** :, United States
- **Compensation:** $175k–$359k
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** remote
- **Posted:** 2026-11-05
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-11-08
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/rivianvw.tech/3308832c-0b02-4086-a610-2371532e5e99

## 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

Enterprise IT at RV Tech is redefining how technology enables the business. Our ambition is to build the operating system for the company—connecting people, processes, data, and technology through intelligent, seamless experiences. The Technology Foundations team owns the critical infrastructure powering our organization, including cloud platforms, enterprise networks, data centers, and foundational technology services. We have a strong team of technical experts and are embarking on a significant transformation to establish our independent technology infrastructure while building a modern, scalable foundation for the future. Our goal is to create an intelligent, secure, highly automated technology foundation that empowers our engineering teams, accelerates innovation, and scales without unnecessary operational complexity.

We are looking for a Head of Technology Foundations to own the strategy, architecture, delivery, and operations of our core technology infrastructure. Reporting to the Head of Enterprise IT, you will lead a highly capable team and play a critical role in shaping the technology foundation supporting RV Tech's global operations and engineering organization. This is not a traditional infrastructure management role. We're looking for a technically credible, forward-thinking leader and builder who understands how cloud, networks, data centers, and modern engineering platforms work together—and where the industry is heading. You will take end-to-end ownership of our technology foundations, including major cloud and network separations, infrastructure modernization, and the development of independent technology capabilities. You bring the technical depth to challenge architectural decisions, the experience to navigate complex transformations, and the leadership ability to enable an already strong team to excel. You will work as a trusted technology partner to senior engineering leaders, Enterprise IT peers, and stakeholders across our parent companies. You will independently develop and execute a compelling technology strategy while ensuring our foundations are reliable, secure, cost-effective, and ready for the next generation of engineering and AI workloads. As our organization evolves, you will also help shape the future of IT operations, creating a more integrated, automated, and scalable operating model across foundational technology services.

## Responsibilities

- Define the Technology Foundations Vision: Independently develop and execute a multi-year technology strategy spanning cloud, network, data centers, and foundational services, aligned with our broader technology and engineering ambitions.
- Lead Infrastructure Separation and Transformation: Own the strategy and execution of complex cloud and network separations, migrations, and infrastructure buildouts, establishing scalable, independent technology capabilities while minimizing business and engineering disruption.
- Drive Architecture and Technology Decisions: Provide deep technical leadership across cloud architecture, networking, connectivity, infrastructure platforms, and hybrid environments. Challenge architectural choices, vendors, and implementation partners to ensure sustainable, future-ready solutions.
- Be a Trusted Partner to Engineering: Work closely with senior engineering, engineering productivity, and engineering excellence leaders to understand how infrastructure decisions impact developer workflows, CI/CD pipelines, build systems, development environments, and overall engineering velocity.
- Champion Modern Infrastructure Principles: Drive infrastructure as code, automation, observability, self-service capabilities, and modern cloud-native practices to improve reliability, scalability, operational efficiency, and developer experience.
- Build a Resilient and Efficient Foundation: Own infrastructure reliability, performance, availability, capacity, and cost optimization, establishing clear operational standards and measurable service outcomes in partnership with Security and other technology teams.
- Shape the Future of IT Operations: Establish a modern, automation-first operating model spanning infrastructure operations, service reliability, observability, and incident management. Partner across Enterprise IT to simplify service delivery and create a more proactive, efficient technology organization.
- Enable and Develop a High-Performing Team: Lead, mentor, and empower an established team of technical experts. Create an environment of clear ownership, technical excellence, efficient execution, and continuous improvement while removing organizational and operational obstacles.
- Partner Across the Technology Ecosystem: Build strong relationships with Enterprise IT peers, engineering leadership, business stakeholders, and technology counterparts at Rivian and Volkswagen Group to align architecture, manage dependencies, and drive complex cross-organizational initiatives.
- Own Delivery and Execution: Translate strategic objectives into actionable roadmaps, make difficult technology trade-offs, manage budgets and strategic partners, and take accountability for delivering complex infrastructure initiatives from concept through stable operations.

## Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

- 10+ years of progressive experience in infrastructure engineering, cloud platforms, networking, infrastructure architecture, or related technical leadership roles.
- Proven experience leading complex infrastructure transformations, including cloud migrations, network modernization, infrastructure buildouts, or large-scale technology separations.
- Deep technical understanding of cloud architecture, enterprise networking, hybrid infrastructure, connectivity, and foundational platform services, with the ability to critically evaluate and challenge architecture decisions.
- Demonstrated ability to independently develop and execute a technology strategy, translating architectural vision into actionable roadmaps and successfully delivered outcomes.
- Strong understanding of modern software engineering environments, including CI/CD pipelines, developer tooling, infrastructure dependencies, and the impact of infrastructure decisions on engineering productivity.
- Experience building or leading high-performing technical teams, empowering senior engineers, developing technical capabilities, and driving execution without unnecessary organizational layers.
- Practical experience with infrastructure automation, infrastructure as code, observability, cloud operations, and modern reliability practices.
- Strong architectural judgment, hands-on technical credibility, and the ability to navigate complex implementation challenges and make pragmatic technology trade-offs.
- Proven ability to influence senior technology stakeholders, collaborate across organizational boundaries, and establish trusted relationships with engineering and business leadership.

## Preferred Qualifications

- Deep experience with AWS and modern cloud infrastructure, including large-scale cloud environments, account architectures, networking, and platform services.
- Experience leading corporate technology separations, carve-outs, TSA exits, or the establishment of independent cloud and network infrastructure.
- Experience building or modernizing enterprise networks, global connectivity, and data center infrastructure in distributed technology organizations.
- Background in high-growth technology, automotive, software engineering, or other engineering-intensive environments.
- Experience with cloud financial management, platform engineering, developer infrastructure, and AI/ML infrastructure requirements.
- Experience establishing modern IT operations models, including service automation, reliability engineering, and cross-functional service delivery.
- An entrepreneurial, first-principles approach to technology, with a demonstrated ability to deliver complex infrastructure capabilities through lean teams, automation, and strong technical leadership.

Total Rewards We build the exceptional — and we believe the people doing that work should be rewarded accordingly. In addition to a competitive base salary, full-time positions may be is eligible to participate in our annual company performance bonus program.

Payments are discretionary and not guaranteed; actual amounts depend on company results and the terms of the plan in effect, and require active employment at the time of payout. This role is also eligible for equity in the form of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), subject to board approval and the terms of our equity incentive plans, including applicable vesting requirements.

In addition to our compensation programs, we invest in our people with a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the health, wellbeing, and financial future for full-time employees — including health coverage, retirement savings, time off, and family planning programs. Offerings vary by country. [Learn more about our global benefit programs](https://rvtech.mybenefits.life/).

External candidates can apply for this role through the Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies careers site (https://rivianvw.tech/#careers). If you are a current employee, please apply through our [internal job board](https://app.ashbyhq.com/internal/job-board/b10a9912-eb45-4a84-9a34-84b2a459923a).

## 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 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) record keeping; (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.

If you provide a mobile telephone number as part of your application or during the recruitment process, Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies may use that number to contact you via SMS text message for recruitment-related purposes, including scheduling, logistics, and status updates. Message and data rates may apply. You may opt out of SMS communications at any time by replying STOP to any text message you receive from us. Consent to receive SMS messages is not a condition of applying for or being considered for employment. Please see our https://assets.ctfassets.net/2md5qhoeajym/53otRWdzXPzSdWPgiel5T/07c61b0eed2d91f2f403f788fd20d315/RVTech_Candidate_Data_Privacy_Notice_-_Nov_2024.pdf and https://assets.ctfassets.net/2md5qhoeajym/40xUZMehbGToclkLqWXW0E/eb5b553bd8af7c607066253fbb227bda/RVTech_Candidate_Data_Privacy_Notice_-_Nov_2024_Serbian.pdf for more information. -- Please note this job posting represents an open, active vacancy. Additionally, we are not currently accepting applications from third party application services.

## About Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies (RV Tech) is a joint venture developing next-generation electrical architectures and software-defined vehicle platforms for the Volkswagen Group and Rivian.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Joint Venture; 50/50 owned by Rivian and Volkswagen Group)
- **Headquarters**: Palo Alto, California, United States
- **Founded**: November 13, 2024
- **Founders**: Joint venture co-led by Wassym Bensaid (Rivian Chief Software Officer) and Carsten Helbing (Volkswagen Group Chief Technology Officer); established through a transaction agreement between Rivian and Volkswagen Group.

## Core Business
- **Primary industry/industries**: Automotive technology, software development for software-defined vehicles (SDVs)
- **Target customers**: B2B – primarily the Volkswagen Group (brands including Volkswagen, Audi, Scout) and Rivian; potential licensing to other automakers
- **Mission or purpose statement**: To address the challenges of electric vehicles through technologies that set the standards for software-defined vehicles around the world, combining Rivian’s software and electrical hardware expertise with Volkswagen Group’s global scale and vehicle platform competencies.

## Products & Services
- **Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) Architecture**: A modular zonal electronic architecture featuring powerful central computers that control all vehicle functions, enabling over-the-air updates, advanced infotainment, and highly automated driving features. This platform is designed to scale across multiple vehicle segments and brands.
- **Zonal Controllers & Operating Systems**: Rivian’s proven zonal hardware design (reducing ECUs and wiring complexity) integrated with a unified software stack that supports continuous updates and cloud connectivity.
- **Cloud & Connectivity Solutions**: Cloud-based services for vehicle data, remote diagnostics, and lifecycle software updates.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not disclosed (joint venture; total committed investment from Volkswagen Group up to $5.8 billion by 2027, including $1 billion initial convertible note, $1.3 billion equity at closing, and up to $3.5 billion milestone-based funding).
- **Key Metric**: Total committed investment: $5.8 billion; Employee count: ~1,500 (as of late 2025, with 108.4% YoY growth).
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Rivian (NASDAQ: RIVN), Volkswagen Group (XETRA: VOW / VOW3). Co-owned equally by both parent companies.
- **Growth Signals**: 
  - Rapidly built an international development team of 1,500+ employees within one year.
  - Successfully integrated Rivian’s zonal hardware into a Volkswagen test vehicle in just 12 weeks.
  - Winter testing of reference vehicles for Volkswagen, Audi, and Scout brands scheduled for Q1 2026.
  - First production vehicles using RV Tech’s architecture expected in 2027 (Volkswagen ID.EVERY1) and 2028 (Audi).
  - Rivian’s R2, R3, and R3X will also leverage the joint venture’s technology.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Unique combination of expertise**: Rivian’s industry-leading software and electrical architecture married with Volkswagen Group’s massive manufacturing scale and global reach.
- **Speed of execution**: Demonstrated ability to produce a drivable demonstrator vehicle in 12 weeks.
- **Scalable platform**: The SDV architecture is designed to serve multiple brands, segments, and price points, potentially covering up to 30 million vehicles per year on Volkswagen’s future SSP platform.
- **Cost efficiency**: Shared development costs and reduced R&D expenditure for both parents, with a focus on lowering production costs for EVs.

## Strategic Focus
- **Current priorities**: Complete development and validation of the zonal SDV architecture through winter testing in early 2026; prepare for series production integration with Volkswagen Group brands (ID.EVERY1, Scout Traveler/Terra, Audi model) and Rivian’s R2 launch in 2026.
- **Direction for growth**: Expand the technology to additional automakers (several have expressed interest); deepen collaboration with Volkswagen Group brands on the SSP platform; scale the international team and open new development sites in Europe and North America.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture highlights**: Fast-paced, collaborative environment at the intersection of two automotive and technology giants. Emphasis on innovation at scale, diverse collaboration, and global impact. Co-led by top technical leaders from both parent companies.
- **Remote/hybrid/office policy**: Teams are based in Palo Alto (HQ), with additional sites in Irvine (CA), Berlin (Germany), and offices in Canada, Sweden, and Serbia. Hybrid work likely, but specific policy not publicly detailed.
- **Notable perks or engineering culture**: Opportunity to work on cutting-edge SDV technology that will power millions of future EVs. Engineers get to shape the architecture from the ground up, with access to Rivian’s proven software stack and Volkswagen’s industrial resources. High growth trajectory (team more than doubled in its first year). Active job postings (126 as of mid-2026) across software engineering, systems, and leadership roles.

## Sources
1. [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rivian_and_Volkswagen_Group_Technologies)
2. [Volkswagen Group Press Release – Launch](https://www.volkswagen-group.com/en/press-releases/faster-leaner-more-efficient-rivian-and-volkswagen-group-announce-the-launch-of-their-joint-venture-18828)
3. [Volkswagen Group Press Release – One Year Anniversary](https://www.volkswagen-group.com/en/press-releases/one-year-after-its-founding-joint-venture-between-volkswagen-group-and-rivian-shows-strong-progress-19980)
4. [LinkedIn Company Page](https://www.linkedin.com/company/rivian-and-vw-group-technologies)
5. [Company Website](https://rivianvw.tech/)

## Other roles at Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies

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- [Mechatronics Lab Engineering Intern (January - August 2027)](https://feeny.ai/job/mechatronics-lab-engineering-intern-january-august-2027-rivian-and-volkswagen-3ym1k8gr87ec) — Vancouver, Canada
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