Fall 2026

Software Engineer Intern Co-op

Systems Engineering

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies

1,001-5,000 employees

Joint venture developing software-defined EVs

Compensation Overview

CA$24 - CA$27/hr

+ Bonus + Equity

Vancouver, BC, Canada

In Person

Category
Software Engineering (1)
Required Skills
Python
Software Testing
C/C++
Requirements
  • Education: Currently enrolled in a Bachelor's program at an accredited Canadian university in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or a closely related technical field.
  • Status: Must have the intent to return to school full-time following the completion of this internship.
  • Languages: Strong, proven proficiency in C/C++ or Python.
  • Available to work full-time from our Vancouver, BC office from September 21, 2026 – April 23, 2027
Responsibilities
  • Develop & Implement: Write and validate low-level embedded software for core vehicle systems, including battery and energy management systems.
  • Feature Engineering: Build out features for low- and high-voltage systems, focusing on power/current distribution, DC/DC controls, and fault detection/recovery.
  • Architecture Design: Design scalable, high-performance software architectures with a strict focus on embedded system reliability.
  • Automated Testing: Support and expand our automated testing framework by writing comprehensive test components across Unit, Software-in-the-Loop (SIL), and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) environments.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with systems engineers to define feature requirements, and collaborate with test engineers to debug, validate, and deploy algorithms.
Desired Qualifications
  • Experience working in a Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS) environment.
  • Familiarity with automotive communication protocols (CAN, LIN, UDS, DoIP).
  • Hands-on experience with microcontrollers and PID controllers.
  • Exposure to advanced 32-bit multi-core microcontrollers.
Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies

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Rivian and VW Group Technologies is a joint venture that develops software-defined vehicles by combining Rivian’s EV software expertise with Volkswagen Group’s automotive scale and systems engineering. It creates cars whose features and performance are driven by software, with ongoing updates to improve intelligence and sustainability over time. The company uses a collaborative approach to integrate advanced vehicle capabilities through a unified architecture, aiming to deliver smarter, more efficient transportation to a broad market. Its goal is to redefine car experiences by offering intelligent, sustainable vehicles and continuously enhancing them after sale.

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Palo Alto, California

Founded

2024

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • SSP platform supports 30 million VW Group vehicles across multiple segments globally.
  • Qualcomm LOI secures Snapdragon infotainment supply starting 2027 with AI capabilities.
  • R2 production launch 2026 demonstrates technology viability and generates near-term revenue.

What critics are saying

  • VW brands building internal software capabilities reduces long-term dependence on RV Tech.
  • Rivian's R2 launch diverts critical software development capacity from joint venture.
  • VW's separate Xpeng partnership in China limits RV Tech's global scale to Western Hemisphere.

What makes Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies unique

  • Only two non-Chinese automakers possess centralized zonal computing architecture capability.
  • Rivian's software stack reduces coordination costs through unified codebase ownership.
  • Joint venture completed winter testing validating SDV architecture under extreme conditions.

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Benefits

Performance Bonus

Company Equity

Company News

electrive
Mar 27th, 2026
VW and Rivian conclude winter testing programme.

VW and Rivian conclude winter testing programme. The Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies (RV Tech) joint venture has successfully completed winter testing of its series-oriented zonal architecture for the first generation of software-defined vehicles. By Sebastian Schaal 27.03.2026 - 14:30 In a comprehensive multi-month testing programme conducted in Phoenix, USA, and Arjeplog, Sweden, a joint team from Volkswagen, Audi, Scout, and RV Tech validated the functionality and performance of electronics and software, as announced by the VW Group. Reference vehicles, including the VW ID.EVERY1 as well as models from Audi and Scout, were tested using RV Tech's SDV (Software Defined Vehicle) architecture. According to a press image published alongside the announcement, VW used a shortened ID.3 as a mule car for the compact battery-electric vehicle, which, under VW's current naming convention, may launch as the ID. Up - rather than the previously planned ID.1. The VW Group plans to deploy the SDV architecture - developed in collaboration with the US start-up - in battery-electric vehicles across markets in the Western Hemisphere. For China, VW has a similar partnership with Xpeng. "Customers can benefit from highly automated driving features and advanced infotainment solutions that can be continuously updated via over-the-air updates," the German automaker stated. The recently concluded testing programme was divided into two phases. During test drives in Arizona, software functions were finalised, and functional tests were conducted in the reference vehicles to prepare them for the subsequent winter tests in Europe. The actual stress tests under extreme conditions then took place in Arjeplog, northern Sweden. "The teams examined, among other things, the interaction between hardware and software for functions such as all wheel drive, traction control, and driving performance. Over-the-air (OTA) functionality was also validated," VW announced. The automaker expressed official satisfaction with the results. The tests demonstrated 'that the SDV architecture already operates reliably under harsh winter climatic and dynamic driving conditions.' It laid the foundation for the next development steps in the joint venture and further planning within the brands. Even in an interim review in November 2025, VW had praised its US partner. "With the successful completion of the winter tests, our joint venture once again demonstrates the speed and precision of its work," said VW CEO Oliver Blume. "The close integration between the joint venture, our brands, and the Group follows a clear objective: to excite people with products and technologies that set new standards. This is how we are driving development forward across the Volkswagen Group - with the ambition to become the global automotive tech driver." However, repeated reports and critical commentary suggest that progress behind the scenes has not always matched the narrative presented in Volkswagen Group's communications around one of the CEO's flagship projects. At the same time, Rivian is preparing intensively for the launch of its second model range, the R2, which is considered crucial due to the expected production volumes. The associated software development is also likely to require additional capacity, but Volkswagen's official communications do not address these challenges. Nevertheless, Volkswagen Group emphasises that its brands are building up their own software capabilities for software-defined vehicles alongside the collaboration with Rivian. Volkswagen Passenger Cars, for example, plans to launch a long-prepared qualification programme from early May. Software specialists will spend several months in practical phases at Palo Alto and other RV Tech locations, where they will deepen their understanding of the joint architecture and code base. Audi and Porsche are also preparing to introduce similar programmes. At the same time, a company statement points to a potential shift in how the joint venture's role may evolve: "Upon returning to Wolfsburg, these specialists will serve as internal experts and bring this expertise back into their development departments as multipliers. This will help to integrate brand-specific functions more quickly into future production models." 0 comments. about "VW and Rivian conclude winter testing programme" Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

ACKO Drive
Jan 9th, 2026
Qualcomm, Volkswagen Group Sign LOI for Connectivity Solutions

Qualcomm, Volkswagen Group sign LOI for connectivity solutions. Volkswagen Group signs LOI with Qualcomm Technologies for Snapdragon-based infotainment in SDV architecture via Rivian JV, starting 2027. Volkswagen Group and Qualcomm Technologies, have announced a Letter of Intent for a long-term supply agreement to provide advanced infotainment and connectivity features using Snapdragon Digital Chassis solutions. Under the proposed arrangement, Qualcomm Technologies will act as the primary technology supplier for Volkswagen Group's zonal Software-Defined Vehicle architecture in the Western hemisphere. This architecture is being developed through the Group's joint venture with Rivian Automotive, Inc., known as Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies (RV Tech). High-performance system-on-chips for infotainment will be deployed starting in 2027. The collaboration builds on existing cooperation within the Automated Driving Alliance, formed by CARIAD and Bosch, to advance automated driving technologies. The zonal SDV architecture relies on modular central computers to manage vehicle functions, enabling over-the-air updates for infotainment and automated driving capabilities. It will be implemented in models such as ID.EVERY1 and future electric vehicles on the Scalable Systems Platform, supporting offerings across segments and markets. Snapdragon Cockpit Platform integration aims to deliver AI-driven experiences, including personalised adjustments and multimodal controls. For automated driving, the group plans to utilise Snapdragon Ride Elite for low-latency processing and scalable AI-based systems compatible with SDV. The agreement is being progressed by Audi AG and Volkswagen Passenger Cars, with potential Group-wide application. Future vehicles may incorporate Snapdragon 5G Modem RF and V2X technology for enhanced connectivity. Volkswagen