Audio DSP & Tuning Engineer

About Rivian

Rivian is on a mission to keep the world adventurous forever. This goes for the emissions-free Electric Adventure Vehicles we build, and the curious, courageous souls we seek to attract. 

As a company, we constantly challenge what’s possible, never simply accepting what has always been done. We reframe old problems, seek new solutions and operate comfortably in areas that are unknown. Our backgrounds are diverse, but our team shares a love of the outdoors and a desire to protect it for future generations. 

Role Summary

The Audio Engineering team at Rivian is responsible for designing, tuning, and validating world-class sound experiences across our electric vehicle lineup. We are seeking an Audio DSP & Tuning Engineer to own and advance our core audio DSP architectures, signal processing algorithms, and cabin acoustic tuning. Working directly alongside our Senior Staff DSP Architect, you will play a central role in designing Audio Weaver signal chains, developing complex tuning topologies, integrating immersive audio formats (for example, Dolby Atmos), and protecting electro-acoustic hardware through robust dynamic processing. You are a seasoned audio engineer who pairs rigorous measurement techniques with highly refined critical listening skills to deliver exceptional cabin acoustics for current and next-generation Rivian platforms.

Responsibilities

1. Audio DSP Signal Flow & Architecture Design

• Design, build, and maintain real-time audio DSP signal flows and block topologies in DSP Concepts Audio Weaver across heterogeneous vehicle amplifier platforms and SOC/DSP targets.
• Architect and optimize signal processing chains for active crossover alignment, parametric equalization, spatial audio rendering, and delay compensation.
• Collaborate with System Software to integrate Audio Weaver binaries and controls into Android Automotive and Linux audio HAL environments.

2. Cabin Tuning & Immersive Audio Experience

• Lead full-vehicle acoustic tuning passes, combining objective electro-acoustic measurement with subjective expert critical listening to achieve target frequency responses, spatial imaging, and tonal balance.
• Implement, calibrate, and tune multi-channel 3D/immersive audio formats, including Dolby Atmos and spatial audio rendering pipelines, ensuring optimized channel allocation and room responses.
• Formulate and execute subjective tuning benchmarks and target curve definitions across different vehicle interiors, trim levels, and speaker layouts.

3. System Protection, Dynamics & Hardware Alignment

• Design and calibrate audio dynamic processing algorithms—including multi-band limiters, compressors, peak limiters, and transducer excursion management filters—to maximize system acoustic output while protecting electro-acoustic transducers and amplifiers from thermal or mechanical overload.
• Demonstrate a deep understanding of audio hardware capabilities and physical limitations (transducer excursion, amplifier rail voltages, impedance curves) and factor these directly into DSP tuning and protection strategies.

4. Electro-Acoustic Measurement & Benchmarking

• Lead complex electrical and acoustic measurement sweeps across vehicles and lab benches using industry-standard platforms (Audio Precision APx, SoundCheck, CLIO, REW) and custom solutions (based on Matlab, Python, etc.).
• Apply deep knowledge of measurement methods (e.g., swept sine, MLS, noise-based, THD+N vs. SPL) and select the appropriate tools, spatial averaging techniques, and windowing methods based on specific acoustic or electrical challenges.
• Perform competitive benchmarking and acoustic transfer function analysis across target vehicle cabins.

5. Cross-Functional Engineering Collaboration

• Partner with Transducer, Mic Systems, and Electronics leads to ensure end-to-end hardware-software alignment throughout the development cycle.
• Work closely with Audio QA Engineers to establish objective automated test metrics for DSP algorithms, signal routing, and dynamic limits.
• Provide mentorship, technical guidance, and collaborative design review to junior and peer team members.

6. Audio Atttributes Specifications

• Lead the specification and validation of system-level audio attributes requirements for vehicle audio systems

Qualifications

• Experience: Typically requires 7+ years of professional audio DSP and tuning experience. Leveling (RIV-6 Manager/Senior Engineer or RIV-7 Expert/Staff) will be evaluated based on technical depth, architectural ownership, and industry track record.
• DSP & Software Tooling: Expert proficiency in DSP Concepts Audio Weaver; strong familiarity with MATLAB, C/C++, or Python for audio algorithm simulation and data analysis.
• Tuning & Immersive Audio: Demonstrated experience tuning vehicle or high-end consumer audio systems; hands-on experience integrating and tuning Dolby Atmos or spatial audio rendering frameworks.
• Acoustic Measurement Systems: Deep, hands-on experience with acoustic and electrical measurement platforms (Audio Precision, SoundCheck, CLIO, REW) and measurement methodologies (swept sine, noise, THD+N, transfer function analysis
• System Protection & Dynamics:Proven experience configuring and tuning multi-band limiters, compressors, and dynamic range controllers aligned with transducer electro-acoustic limits.
• Critical Listening: Extensive highly developed critical listening skills and golden-ear subjective evaluation capabilities.
• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Audio Engineering, Acoustics, Computer Engineering, or a related field.

Pay Disclosure

The salary range for this role is $186,000 - $296,000 for Palo Alto, CA based applicants. This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, shift, and organizational needs. The successful candidate may be eligible for annual performance bonus and equity awards. 

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits for full-time and part-time employees, their spouse or domestic partner, and children up to age 26, including but not limited to paid vacation, paid sick leave, and a competitive portfolio of insurance benefits including life, medical, dental, vision, short-term disability insurance, and long-term disability insurance to eligible employees. You may also have the opportunity to participate in Rivian’s 401(k) Plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program if you meet certain eligibility requirements. Full-time employee coverage is effective on their first day of employment. Part-time employee coverage is effective the first of the month following 90 days of employment. More information about benefits is available at rivianbenefits.com.

Equal Opportunity

Rivian is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. 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.

Rivian 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 [email protected].

Candidate Data Privacy and Technology

Rivian 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 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) recordkeeping; (vi) ensuring network and information security and preventing fraud; and (vii) as otherwise required or permitted by applicable law. 

Rivian 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 affiliates; and (iii) Rivian’s service providers, including providers of background checks, staffing services, and cloud services. 

Rivian may transfer or store internationally your Candidate Personal Data, including to or in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, 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.  

How We Use AI in Our Hiring Process: To ensure transparency, we want candidates to know that Rivian uses iCIMS Talent Cloud Artificial Intelligence (TCAI) and AI-enabled tools to assist with screening, reviewing, organizing and highlighting profiles and applications that match the key requirements for each role.

AI does not make hiring decisions: Qualified candidate applications are reviewed by a member of our team, and all decisions throughout the process are made by humans. We use AI to support efficiency and consistency, not to replace human judgment. We are committed to a fair, thoughtful, and equitable experience for every candidate.

Participation in AI profile matching is entirely voluntary. If you prefer that your profile not be used in this process, you can opt out at any time. Opting out means your profile will be excluded from automated matching and will not be surfaced for additional roles through this system. Your current application remains active and will not be affected in any way.

Interview Integrity & AI Policy 

Our interview process is designed to evaluate your personal technical foundation, real-time problem-solving logic, and structured capabilities. Therefore, the use of assistive generative AI tools to formulate or deliver your solutions during live interview sessions is not permitted. We care most about how you think — how you make sense of unclear requirements, weigh trade-offs, and explain why you chose one approach over another. We value your unique human perspective, your authenticity, and the journey it takes to reach a solution.

Please note that we are currently not accepting applications from third party application services.