Sr. Systems Engineer - Climate Control

The Thermal Control System Team develops requirements and facilitates algorithm development to optimize thermal management for powertrains, battery packs using heat pumps, and cabin HVAC systems. In this role, you will collaborate closely with designers, engineers, manufacturing teams, firmware developers, and service personnel, leveraging your expertise in climate control to define requirements for embedded software implementation.

- Act as systems engineer to develop requirements and drive the development of software for automotive climate control system

- Use modeling tools to model the thermodynamic behavior and human comfort aspects of an automotive HVAC system

- Collaborate with hardware engineering to develop framework and requirements for control software development

- Translate high-level feature requests into detailed controller software, sensor, and actuator requirements, driving implementation, testing, and release

- Research and analyze various control algorithms; develop control-oriented simulation models to refine control strategies

- Create and maintain system boundary diagrams, function allocation documents, state machines, sequence diagrams, and failure analysis

- BS / MS in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering

- Experience in software architecture and requirement management tools (JAMA, DOORS, etc.)

- Foundation in heat transfer and thermodynamics, with familiarity in heat exchangers, blowers, fans, air control valves and their subsystem interactions

- Proficient in control systems fundamentals and their application to the thermal/ HVAC domain is required

- Knowledge and experience in automotive or building climate control system and air flow controls development

- Understanding of aspects of human thermal comfort and its application to controlling HVAC systems

- Strong analytical skills with experience handling large datasets in MATLAB/Python; familiarity with C/C++ is a plus

- Proven ability to collaborate cross-functionally, engage in hands-on work, and manage open-ended projects in fast-paced, resource-constrained environments

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.