Senior Diagnostic Engineer - Low Voltage, Energy Distribution

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

As a key member of the Diagnostic Engineering team within Service Operations, you’ll be responsible for developing and providing subject matter expertise in Vehicle Low Voltage Systems on Electric Vehicles, including 12V Batteries, DCDC Converters, and Wiring.  You will be responsible for coordinating and prioritizing software development for diagnostics, evaluating and designing electrical architecture, developing requirements for complex diagnostic systems, utilizing AI tools to assist in diagnostics, and monitoring and evaluating vehicle telemetry.

Responsibilities

Domain Experience 

• Act as service engineering’s subject matter expert in BEV energy distribution, including DCDC/DCAC converters, 12V batteries, wiring, power mode control, and the system physical and digital architecture. 

Software & Diagnostics Development

• Translate complex software code and requirements into clear technician diagnostic information and vehicle repair procedures.
• Represent Service as the primary liaison to the software domain, developing a working understanding of the codebase deep enough to partner effectively with Software Development; ensure software teams deliver the tools, processes, features, and bug fixes Service needs.
• Set field strategy based on DTCs to increase diagnostic accuracy and reduce repair time.
• Design software requirements for new DTCs to close gaps in issue detection.
• Use AI coding tools to build and modify skills files or generate small applications that support diagnosis of complex vehicle issues.
• Develop and continuously improve diagnostic content, testing procedures, evaluation logic, and automated scripts within Rivian's onboard and offboard diagnostic ecosystem.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Software Development, Requirements Engineering, and Quality/Failure Analysis to design, develop, and refine onboard diagnostic software solutions that root-cause individual vehicle issues.
• Create database queries and dashboards and convert this information into closed-loop feedback for hardware, software, and manufacturing design teams to drive continuous improvement.
• Consult with design engineers to resolve vehicle issues field teams and first-level escalation support cannot solve with available diagnostic resources, and feed learnings back into future diagnostics.

Vehicle Validation & Testing

• Design test plans for diagnostic procedures, service calibration, and IT applications covering both expected success paths and failure/fault conditions, in coordination with software, hardware, and field technicians.
• Flash test assets to execute validation on target vehicles.
• Debug issues uncovered during test execution and drive them to root cause.
• Capture and analyze logs to verify diagnostic behavior and identify gaps in coverage.

Documentation & Field Support

• Produce and maintain technical documentation that maximizes diagnostic and service efficiency for the Service team.
• Monitor hardware performance across the fleet, initiating individual vehicle repairs, adjusting maintenance schedules, and defining software improvements to enhance product performance.

Qualifications

• BSc or MSc in a relevant engineering discipline.
• 3+ years of experience with Low Voltage Systems in the automotive or comparable industry, combining theoretical and practical engineering experience.
• Experience with C++, Python, SQL, Linux, or similar technologies at a comprehension level required; synthesis-level experience preferred.
• Experience with AI coding tools such as Claude, Devin, or Cursor.
• Experience with vehicle CAN and Ethernet tools such as Vector CANalyzer and Wireshark.
• Demonstrated knowledge of foundational engineering topics (e.g., mechanics, physics, metallurgy, manufacturing methods, electronics, software, control systems) within a job-related area.
• Automotive diagnostics development experience strongly preferred.
• Proven track record driving service and field requirements in a complex, design-focused environment.
• Strong analytical and structured problem-solving skills, with an aptitude for unusual and complex problems.
• Track record working closely with cross-functional teams and stakeholders in a technology environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the interpersonal range to work effectively with internal and external partners across a wide range of backgrounds and expectations.
• Ability to work with extreme attention to detail while stepping back to consider the big picture when necessary.
• Occasional travel may be required (10%).

Pay Disclosure

The salary range for this role is $107,000 to $133,800 for Hayward, California based applicants and $98,500 to $123,100 for Irvine 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 Plan 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.

You can apply for this role through careers.rivian.com (or through internal-careers-rivian.icims.com if you are a current employee). This job is not expected to be closed any sooner than November 13th, 2026.

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.