---
title: 'Sr. Staff RF Systems Engineer at Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/sr-staff-rf-systems-engineer-rivian-and-volkswagen-group-technologies-palo-alto-mh1h17y9xwzf'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-13'
---

# Sr. Staff RF Systems Engineer at Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies

- **Company:** [Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies](https://feeny.ai/companies/rivian-and-volkswagen-group-technologies)
- **Location:** Palo Alto, CA
- **Compensation:** $237k–$326k
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** hybrid
- **Posted:** 2026-08-28
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-13
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/rivianvw.tech/fdcd473b-23cb-4cc6-9b92-ca894e8434cd

## 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 Staff RF Systems Engineer is the technical anchor across our wireless ecosystem [ 5G/Cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, UWB, GNSS, and V2X ] spanning the full life of a radio-centric ECU from the design table to global launch. This is a hands-on individual contributor role at the top of our IC ladder: you design and simulate the RF systems that ship, own the homologation strategy that gets them certified into every region we sell into, and set the validation standards other engineers build against. You bridge silicon-level design, board- and system-level implementation, and global regulatory launch, and you are the person leadership turns to when RF is the open question blocking a program, whether that question is “will this architecture close the link budget,” “will this ECU pass FCC and RED,” or “why is this unit failing in the chamber.” This role will be 3 days onsite in Palo Alto and report to the Sr. Engineering Manager.

## Responsibilities

- RF Design & Product Development
- RF Product Design & Simulation Design, simulate, and prototype RF products and communication modules for automotive ECUs, including component selection, PCB layout/fabrication, and packaging within the ECU enclosure. Use HFSS and cascaded device analysis to close link budgets before hardware is ever cut.
- Requirements & Architecture Define and maintain RF requirements specifications; ensure key design decisions align with product capability targets across cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, UWB, GNSS, and V2X domains.
- Design Review & Scoping Review proposals and requirements specs to assess compliance against existing unit capabilities versus development needs; scope and drive development activities for new requirements.
- Technology & Silicon Evaluation Lead characterization and competitive benchmarking of next-generation chipsets, front-end modules, and antenna systems. Your data drives component selection decisions with multi-year architectural consequences; represent RF design requirements directly to silicon vendors and influence their roadmaps.

Global Homologation Leadership

- Certification Strategy Own the end-to-end RF certification strategy for radio-centric ECUs across FCC, RED/CE, and other regional regulatory regimes, plus US carrier certification (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile) and PTCRB/GCF processes.
- Regional Homologation Execution Lead homologation and certification of radio ECUs across every geographical region we launch into, translating regional RF/EMC requirements into design and test requirements early enough to influence architecture rather than react to it.
- Regulatory Foresight & Escalation Anticipate regulatory shifts before they hit a program; resolve escalations with test houses and certification bodies directly; keep global launches off the critical path.
- Carrier & Protocol Authority Serve as the org's authority on cellular protocol and carrier certification requirements, defending your interpretation of ambiguous spec language to regulators, test houses, and carriers.
- Lab & Capital Planning Build and maintain the homologation playbook and the capital/lab-capability roadmap — chambers, positioners, shield rooms — that lets the org scale certification across more regions and programs without linearly scaling headcount.

RF Validation & Test Strategy

- Validation Strategy Define the multi-program RF test strategy from bring-up through mass production. Establish measurement methodologies, pass/fail criteria, and correlation standards that become the org-wide reference across EVT/DVT/PVT.
- Test Automation & Infrastructure Support the development of test plans, procedures, and production automation; architect the Python-based instrument control, data acquisition, and post-processing infrastructure the RF team runs on, and drive its adoption across sites and vendor labs.
- Root Cause & Escalation Authority Serve as final technical escalation for the hardest RF failures — the ones spanning silicon, firmware, antenna, mechanical, and test setup — isolating root cause where the boundaries are ambiguous and no one else has been able to.
- Incident Management Lead incident management and investigations for field and lab RF failures, translating findings back into design and certification requirements so the same failure mode doesn't recur.

Technical Leadership & Cross-Functional Partnership

- Mentorship Mentor RF, design, and validation engineers; raise the bar through design and code review; drive lab capability roadmaps.
- Influence Translate complex RF requirements and data into clear, actionable insight for non-RF stakeholders and executives. Represent RF in architecture reviews and design trade-off discussions before decisions are locked. Build alignment across hardware, software, systems, and program management without direct authority.

## Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

- Experience BS in Electrical Engineering, RF/Communications, or related field with 10+ years of RF design, test, and certification experience (MS with 8+, PhD with 5+). Demonstrated track record shipping high-volume wireless and automotive RF products through full design, development, and certification cycles.
- RF Design & Fundamentals Strong combination of RF engineering, system design, and board/circuit design skills. Fundamental RF knowledge including cascaded device analysis, link budget analysis, and HFSS. Experience developing and delivering an RF product end to end — requirements, prototyping, engineering models, PCB layout/fabrication, and ECU enclosure packaging.
- Homologation & Regulatory Deep, hands-on experience with global RF certification — FCC, RED/CE, and other regional regimes — plus US carrier certification (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile) and PTCRB/GCF processes. Comfortable owning escalations directly with test houses and certification bodies.
- Protocol Depth Expert-level knowledge of wireless standards from PHY through MAC — Cellular (LTE/5G NR, sub-6 and mmWave), Wi-Fi (802.11a/g/n/ac/ax, 802.11be a plus), and Bluetooth (BDR/EDR/BLE). Able to read the spec, interpret ambiguity, and defend your reading to a chipset vendor.
- Validation & Automation Advanced Python with software engineering discipline — version control, testing, modularity, documentation. Proven history architecting (not just scripting) instrument control via SCPI/VISA and post-processing frameworks used by teams beyond your own. Hands-on expertise operating and automating wideband radio communication testers (R&S CMW500/CMX500, Keysight equivalents), spectrum and signal analyzers, and VNAs for S-parameter and Smith Chart analysis.
- Communication & Influence Distill complex RF data into clear, actionable insight for non-RF stakeholders and executives. Build alignment across organizations without direct authority. Write documentation that outlives the program.
- Adaptability Proactive learner who pivots between wireless technologies, design and certification priorities, and shifting timelines in a fast-moving environment.

## Preferred Qualifications

- UWB (802.15.4z), V2X (DSRC/C-V2X), and GNSS integration and testing
- Automotive RF experience — ECU-level validation, AEC-Q qualification, automotive EMC
- mmWave OTA measurement and antenna pattern characterization
- Standards body or industry consortium participation
- Project management experience

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/)

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