Software Engineering Intern - Vehicle Controls (Summer 2027) at Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies in Palo Alto, CA

Job description

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. This is a general application used to fill multiple internship openings across our Vehicle Controls teams. If selected, you will be matched to a specific team based on your background and interests during the interview process. • Engineering Intern - Electrical Systems • Software Engineering Intern - Charging • Software Engineering Intern - Controls Test and Automation • Software Engineering Intern - Embedded Software • Software Engineering Intern - Embedded Software Programming • Software Engineering Intern - Energy Storage and Distribution • Software Engineering Intern - Functional Safety • Software Engineering Intern - High Voltage Charging • Software Engineering Intern - Mechanisms • Software Engineering Intern - Systems Architecture • Software Engineering Intern - Systems Engineering, Propulsion • Software Engineering Intern - Test Automation • Software Engineering Intern - Test Automation and Lighting • Software Engineering Intern - Thermal Controls • Software Engineering Intern - Unit Testing and Automation • Software Engineering Intern - Vehicle Dynamics Controls • Systems Engineering Intern - Homologation Role Summary When Rivian and future VW Group vehicles accelerate, manage battery temperature during fast charge, activate body controls, respond to steering input, or detect a system fault, the embedded software making that possible was built by a vehicle controls team. As a Vehicle Controls intern, you will work on embedded software or controls algorithms for one of several vehicle domains, including propulsion and dynamics, energy storage and charging, thermal and HVAC systems, body controls, functional safety, or systems engineering and test automation supporting these domains. Specific project areas vary by team and may include: • Implementing and validating embedded software for battery management, charging, or energy distribution systems • Developing controls software for thermal and HVAC systems, body controls, or lighting • Contributing to vehicle dynamics or propulsion controls algorithms • Supporting functional safety analysis and requirements for safety critical vehicle software • Building and running automated tests in Unit, Software in the Loop, or Hardware in the Loop environments • Working on systems engineering tasks such as requirements definition, architecture, or homologation Responsibilities • Design, implement, and test embedded software or controls algorithms for an assigned vehicle domain • Write production quality code in C or C++, with Python used for test tooling • Collaborate with systems engineers and test engineers to validate features before deployment • Support test execution in SIL, HIL, or bench environments and help debug issues that arise • Communicate progress and technical tradeoffs to your team throughout the internship Qualifications Minimum: • Currently enrolled in a Bachelor's or Master's program at an accredited US university • Proficiency in C or C++, with some exposure to Python Preferred: • Actively pursuing a degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or a closely related field, with intent to return to school after the internship • Coursework or project experience with embedded systems, control theory, or real time operating systems • Familiarity with automotive communication protocols such as CAN, LIN, or Automotive Ethern