
Staff Software Engineer, Vehicle Access Cloud
Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies · Palo Alto, CA
- On site
- Full-time
- $232,500 / year
- Palo Alto, CA
Job highlights
- Design and develop secure vehicle access cloud systems.
- Build APIs for secure data exchange with systems.
- Ensure scalable, reliable, and secure services.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams and OEMs.
- Mentor junior engineers and lead technical decisions.
About the role
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 Staff Software Engineer will play a critical role in designing, developing, and maintaining cloud backend systems that support Vehicle Access Software across the entire vehicle lineup. This role is responsible for ensuring the secure, efficient, and reliable integration of user identity, access mechanisms, and vehicle systems. As a staff engineer, you will lead architectural decisions, mentor junior engineers, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver scalable, high-performance solutions.
Responsibilities
- Lead the design, implementation, and deployment of backend components for vehicle access software across various vehicle models.
- Develop APIs for secure data exchange between various backend micro services, mobile devices and embedded systems.
- Ensure the scalability, reliability, performance, and security of services.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams—including product management, cloud engineers, embedded software developers, mobile engineers, and cybersecurity experts—to integrate various connected services.
- Partner with mobile device OEMs to integrate the software with their platforms.
- Provide technical guidance, mentor junior engineers, and conduct code reviews.
- Monitor, troubleshoot, and optimize processes to ensure seamless functionality in real-world conditions.
- Create and maintain comprehensive technical documentation, including architectural designs, API specifications, system integration guides, and automated tests.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.
- 8+ years of software engineering experience, with a focus on building high-performance microservices in the automotive or related industry.
- Proficiency in Go, Python, or Java.
- Hands-on experience with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure) and Kubernetes, as well as Cloud HSM environments.
- Strong DevOps skills for deploying scalable services on AWS or other leading cloud platforms.
- Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work both independently and in a team environment.
- Effective communication skills for collaborating across engineering and business teams.
- Familiarity with CCC Digital Key infrastructure, Identity Management Systems, and cybersecurity best practices (preferred).
Total Rewards
Full-time positions include base salary, eligibility for an annual performance bonus, and eligibility for equity. In addition to base salary, Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies offers benefits tailored to the local market. For more information on the benefits available for full-time employees, check out our Global Benefits Site. 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.
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 Candidate Data Privacy Notice (English) and Candidate Data Privacy Notice (Serbian) for more information.
Key skills/competency
- Staff Software Engineer
- Vehicle Access Cloud
- Backend Systems
- API Development
- Cloud Platforms
- Kubernetes
- DevOps
- Microservices
- Cybersecurity
- Go, Python, Java
Skills & topics
- Staff Software Engineer
- Vehicle Access
- Cloud Backend
- API Development
- Microservices
- Go
- Python
- Java
- AWS
- Azure
- Kubernetes
- DevOps
- Automotive Software
- Cybersecurity
- Identity Management
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight Go, Python, Java, cloud platforms, and DevOps experience relevant to automotive software.
- Showcase leadership: Emphasize your 8+ years of experience, architectural decision-making, and mentorship.
- Prepare for technical questions: Be ready to discuss microservices design, cloud security, and API development.
- Understand the industry: Familiarize yourself with CCC Digital Key and identity management systems.
- Apply strategically: Submit your application directly via the Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies careers site.
Technical preparation
Behavioral questions
Frequently asked questions
- What is the salary range for the Staff Software Engineer at Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies?
- The salary range for the Staff Software Engineer, Vehicle Access Cloud position at Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies is between $186,000 and $232,500 annually.
- What programming languages are required for the Staff Software Engineer role at Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies?
- Proficiency in Go, Python, or Java is required for this Staff Software Engineer role. Experience with these languages is crucial for developing and maintaining the cloud backend systems for vehicle access software.
- What cloud platforms are preferred for the Staff Software Engineer position at Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies?
- Hands-on experience with cloud platforms like AWS or Azure, along with Kubernetes and Cloud HSM environments, is a key qualification for the Staff Software Engineer role. Strong DevOps skills for deploying scalable services on these platforms are also essential.
- Is this Staff Software Engineer position remote, hybrid, or on-site at Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies?
- While the job description does not explicitly state the work arrangement, typically such specialized engineering roles at joint ventures like Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies are often hybrid or on-site to facilitate close collaboration, especially given the emphasis on cross-functional teamwork and potential integration with physical systems.
- What is the minimum experience required for the Staff Software Engineer role at Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies?
- A minimum of 8 years of software engineering experience is required for the Staff Software Engineer position, with a specific focus on building high-performance microservices within the automotive or a related industry.
- What is the main focus of the Staff Software Engineer role at Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies?
- The Staff Software Engineer role focuses on designing, developing, and maintaining cloud backend systems for Vehicle Access Software, ensuring secure, efficient, and reliable integration of user identity, access mechanisms, and vehicle systems.
- Does Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies offer bonuses or equity for this Staff Software Engineer position?
- Yes, full-time positions at Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies, including this Staff Software Engineer role, include eligibility for an annual performance bonus and eligibility for equity.