Systems Integration Engineer- Audio Job at Rivian VW Group in Palo Alto

Role Summary
We are looking for a passionate and meticulous Systems Integration Engineer to craft the signature sound experience in our vehicles. This role is central to ensuring our audio features—from immersive music and media to crystal‑clear voice commands and safety alerts—achieve the highest standard of quality and performance.

You will be the critical link between software development and the in‑vehicle experience. You'll be responsible for integrating complex audio software, developing sophisticated test environments, and performing the hands‑on tuning and validation that transforms a good audio system into a great one. If you have a critical ear, love solving complex technical puzzles, and are obsessed with audio fidelity, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

Responsibilities

Develop Automation Frameworks: Design and maintain a robust automation framework in Python to validate audio features, performance, and stability.

Scale Test Harnesses: Build and manage hardware‑in‑the‑loop (HIL) and software‑in‑the‑loop (SIL) benches that accurately simulate the vehicle's acoustic and infotainment environment.

In‑Vehicle Tuning & Testing: Conduct hands‑on subjective and objective audio tuning and validation in prototype and production vehicles. Identify, troubleshoot, and resolve integration issues related to audio quality and system performance.

Troubleshoot & Debug: Perform deep‑dive analysis of system logs and traces to debug complex issues related to audio drivers, DSP algorithms, media playback, and network streaming. Isolate issues related to pops/clicks, latency, and synchronization.

Voice & Microphone Performance: Integrate and validate microphone array performance, Acoustic Echo Cancellation (AEC), and Noise Reduction (NR) algorithms to ensure flawless hands‑free calling and voice assistant reliability.

Define Quality Standards: Collaborate with acoustic engineers and cross‑functional partners to establish and enforce objective performance targets (THD+N, SNR, latency) and subjective quality benchmarks for all audio products.

Collaborate Cross‑Functionally: Partner closely with software developers, QA engineers, and hardware teams to define integration strategies, create detailed test plans, and ensure seamless feature delivery.

Documentation: Create clear documentation for test cases, automation scripts, tuning results, and bug reports to ensure reproducibility and knowledge sharing.

Qualifications

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

3‑5+ years of experience in software integration, audio engineering, or system validation, preferably in an automotive or consumer electronics environment.

Strong proficiency in a scripting language, particularly Python, for automation and data analysis.

Experience working with embedded operating systems such as QNX, Android, or Linux and using shell scripting for system‑level debugging.

A deep understanding of digital audio principles and Digital Signal Processing (DSP) concepts (EQ, compression, limiters, crossovers, delay).

Hands‑on experience with objective audio measurement tools (e.g., Audio Precision, HEAD acoustics, spectrum analyzers) to evaluate system performance.

Proven debugging and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to analyze complex technical challenges across the entire audio signal path.

A valid driver's license and a clean driving record.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience tuning and validating advanced audio features like Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) or Engine Sound Enhancement (ESE).

Familiarity with audio‑related technologies and protocols, such as Bluetooth (A2DP, HFP), Wi‑Fi, and media streaming.

Knowledge of automotive communication networks like CAN, LIN, or Automotive Ethernet (AVB/TSN) and analysis tools (e.g., CANoe, Wireshark).

Experience with CI/CD pipelines and tools like Jenkins or GitLab.

A critical ear for music and audio quality, with experience in subjective listening tests and audio evaluation.

Total Rewards
Total compensation packages for full‑time positions include base salary, eligibility for an annual performance bonus, and eligibility for equity. In addition, our benefits package has been designed to support the health and wellness of our employees. Benefit offerings include Flex Time Off, retirement savings plans as well as medical, vision and dental coverage.

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 when you apply for employment and/or participate in our recruitment processes. 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: tracking interactions with our recruiting system; carrying out, analyzing and improving our application and recruitment process; assessing you and your application and conducting employment, background and reference checks; establishing an employment relationship or entering into an employment contract with you; complying with legal, regulatory and corporate governance obligations; record keeping; ensuring network and information security and preventing fraud; and as otherwise required or permitted by applicable law.

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies may share your candidate personal data with 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) for which you are applying; Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies affiliates; and 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 Candidate Data Privacy Notice for more information.

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