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 Virtual Vehicle team builds vehicle simulation that engineers across the company rely on as evidence. You will be a core owner of its physics engine: a high-performance, deterministic C++ simulation core for full-vehicle dynamics and subsystem behavior, coupled to production controller software through standard co-simulation interfaces. Your mission is to make it faster, more capable, and provably unchanged where it is already validated — and to set the technical direction for how physics fidelity is chosen, implemented, and verified.
RESPONSIBILITIES
• Own engine performance and numerical robustness, with regression evidence that validated results are preserved.
• Design and implement multi-fidelity simulation so each study runs at the fidelity its question requires.
• Extend vehicle-dynamics and subsystem modeling capability (tires, suspension, driveline, terrain, sensors).
• Own reproducibility and performance standards enforced in continuous integration.
• Set technical direction, document architectural decisions, and mentor engineers.
QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Qualifications:
• MS/PhD in Mechanical, Aerospace, Computer Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or a related field — or equivalent demonstrated experience.
• 7+ years building performance-critical numerical or simulation software in modern C++ — or an equivalent demonstrated record.
• Strong numerical methods: integration schemes, stiff systems, constraint and contact solvers.
• Profiling and optimization on real workloads; disciplined use of sanitizers and static analysis.
- Experience reasoning about floating-point reproducibility across compilers and platforms.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with the internals of a multibody or vehicle-dynamics simulation engine.
- Co-simulation experience (FMI or similar standards).
- Tire and suspension modeling knowledge.
- Open-source contributions to scientific or simulation software.
TOTAL REWARDS
We build the exceptional — and we believe the people doing that work should be rewarded accordingly. In addition to a competitive base salary, full-time positions may be is eligible to participate in our annual company performance bonus program.
Payments are discretionary and not guaranteed; actual amounts depend on company results and the terms of the plan in effect, and require active employment at the time of payout. This role is also eligible for equity in the form of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), subject to board approval and the terms of our equity incentive plans, including applicable vesting requirements.
In addition to our compensation programs, we invest in our people with a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the health, wellbeing, and financial future for full-time employees — including health coverage, retirement savings, time off, and family planning programs. Offerings vary by country. Learn more about our global benefit programs https://rvtech.mybenefits.life/.
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 https://app.ashbyhq.com/internal/job-board/b10a9912-eb45-4a84-9a34-84b2a459923a.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies is committed to creating a diverse environment and is…