Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies

Sr. Staff RF Systems Engineer

Palo Alto, Santa Clara County · Staff+ · Full-time

Sponsorship not specified$237k-$326kDetected 48 days ago
PythonReactCode ReviewProject ManagementCorporate LawPCB DesignEMI/EMCSystems EngineeringElectrical EngineeringRF EngineeringTest Automation5G/LTELeadershipCommunicationMentoringAdaptability

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odds of building a lasting career here

59Sponsors, lottery-bound
Cap-exempt (no lottery)0
Sponsors this role80
Entry-level history0
PERM / green-card track0
Lottery odds (Level IV)94
Fits your clock70

Sponsors, but it's cap-subject — you still face the weighted lottery (~61% per draw at Level IV). Good if you win; have a cap-exempt backup on your list.

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Files H-1B transfers

41 transfer filings in the last year, covering 41 workers. Median labor-condition decision: 7 days. An employer that already files transfers is one that can take over an existing H-1B.

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About the role

  • 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.
  • By combining our expertise across connectivity, AI, security and more, we'll map a new way forward.
  • RF Validation & Test Strategy - Validation Strategy Define the multi-program RF test strategy from bring-up through mass production.

Responsibilities

  • RF Design & Product Development
  • RF Product Design & Simulation Design, simulate, and prototype RF products and communication modules for automotive ECUs, including component selection, PCB layout/fabrication, and packaging within the ECU enclosure.
  • Requirements & Architecture Define and maintain RF requirements specifications; ensure key design decisions align with product capability targets across cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, UWB, GNSS, and V2X domains.
  • Design Review & Scoping Review proposals and requirements specs to assess compliance against existing unit capabilities versus development needs; scope and drive development activities for new requirements.
  • Technology & Silicon Evaluation Lead characterization and competitive benchmarking of next-generation chipsets, front-end modules, and antenna systems.
  • Your data drives component selection decisions with multi-year architectural consequences; represent RF design requirements directly to silicon vendors and influence their roadmaps.
  • Regional Homologation Execution Lead homologation and certification of radio ECUs across every geographical region we launch into, translating regional RF/EMC requirements into design and test requirements early enough to influence architecture rather than react to it.
  • Lab & Capital Planning Build and maintain the homologation playbook and the capital/lab-capability roadmap - chambers, positioners, shield rooms - that lets the org scale certification across more regions and programs without linearly scaling headcount.
  • Test Automation & Infrastructure Support the development of test plans, procedures, and production automation; architect the Python-based instrument control, data acquisition, and post-processing infrastructure the RF team runs on, and drive its adoption across sites and vendor labs.
  • Incident Management Lead incident management and investigations for field and lab RF failures, translating findings back into design and certification requirements so the same failure mode doesn't recur.

Requirements

  • Hands-on expertise operating and automating wideband radio communication testers (R&S CMW500/CMX500, Keysight equivalents), spectrum and signal analyzers, and VNAs for S-parameter and Smith Chart analysis.

Nice to have

  • UWB (802.15.4z), V2X (DSRC/C-V2X), and GNSS integration and testing
  • Automotive RF experience - ECU-level validation, AEC-Q qualification, automotive EMC
  • mmWave OTA measurement and antenna pattern characterization
  • Standards body or industry consortium participation
  • Project management experience
  • Homologation & Regulatory Deep, hands-on experience with global RF certification - FCC, RED/CE, and other regional regimes - plus US carrier certification (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile) and PTCRB/GCF processes.
  • Comfortable owning escalations directly with test houses and certification bodies.
  • Protocol Depth Expert-level knowledge of wireless standards from PHY through MAC - Cellular (LTE/5G NR, sub-6 and mmWave), Wi-Fi (802.11a/g/n/ac/ax, 802.11be a plus), and Bluetooth (BDR/EDR/BLE).

Compensation

  • $237k-$326k

Benefits

  • In addition to a competitive base salary, full-time positions may be is eligible to participate in our annual company performance bonus program.
  • 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.
  • Learn more about our global benefit programs.

Company info

  • Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies is a joint venture between two industry leaders with a clear vision for automotive's next chapter.
  • The road to the future is uncharted.
  • Working together, we'll create a future that's more connected, more intelligent, more sustainable for everyone.
  • Role Summary
  • The Senior Staff RF Systems Engineer is the technical anchor across our wireless ecosystem [ 5G/Cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, UWB, GNSS, and V2X ] spanning the full life of a radio-centric ECU from the design table to global launch.
  • This is a hands-on individual contributor role at the top of our IC ladder: you design and simulate the RF systems that ship, own the homologation strategy that gets them certified into every region we sell into, and set the validation standards other engineers build against.
  • You bridge silicon-level design, board- and system-level implementation, and global regulatory launch, and you are the person leadership turns to when RF is the open question blocking a program, whether that question is "will this architecture close the link budget," "will this ECU pass FCC and RED," or "why is this unit failing in the chamber."
  • This role will be 3 days onsite in Palo Alto and report to the Sr.
  • Engineering Manager.

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.

Visa & Work Authorization

  • Proven history architecting (not just scripting) instrument control via SCPI/VISA and post-processing frameworks used by teams beyond your own
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