Sr. Diagnostic Engineer - Charging Systems at Rivian in Irvine, CA

Role Summary

As a key member of the Diagnostic Engineering team within Service Operations, you will develop and provide subject matter expertise in Vehicle High Voltage Charging Systems, Interoperability, and Industry Standards. This is an individual contributor role responsible for coordinating and prioritizing software development for diagnostics, evaluating and designing electrical architecture, developing requirements for complex diagnostic systems, utilizing AI tools to assist in diagnostics, and monitoring and evaluating vehicle telemetry.

Responsibilities

Software & Diagnostics Development

• Working knowledge of vehicle charging standards - SAE J1772, SAE J3400 (North America), IEC 62196 (Europe), ISO 15118.
• Translate complex software code and requirements into clear technician diagnostic information and vehicle repair procedures.
• Represent Service as the primary liaison to the software domain, developing a working understanding of the codebase deep enough to partner effectively with Software Development; ensure software teams deliver the tools, processes, features, and bug fixes Service needs.
• Set field strategy based on DTCs to increase diagnostic accuracy and reduce repair time.
• Design software requirements for new DTCs to close gaps in issue detection.
• Use AI coding tools to build and modify skills files or generate small applications that support diagnosis of complex vehicle issues.
• Develop and continuously improve diagnostic content, testing procedures, evaluation logic, and automated scripts within Rivian's onboard and offboard diagnostic ecosystem.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Software Development, Requirements Engineering, and Quality/Failure Analysis to design, develop, and refine onboard diagnostic software solutions that root-cause individual vehicle issues.
• Convert data trends from vehicle repairs into closed-loop feedback for hardware, software, and manufacturing design teams to drive continuous improvement.
• Consult with design engineers to resolve vehicle issues field teams and first-level escalation support cannot solve with available diagnostic resources, and feed learnings back into future diagnostics.

Vehicle Validation & Testing

• Design test plans for diagnostic procedures, service calibration, and IT applications covering both expected success paths and failure/fault conditions, in coordination with software, hardware, and field technicians.
• Flash test assets to execute validation on target vehicles.
• Debug issues uncovered during test execution and drive them to root cause.
• Capture and analyze logs to verify diagnostic behavior and identify gaps in coverage.

Documentation & Field Support

• Produce and maintain technical documentation that maximizes diagnostic and service efficiency for the Service team.
• Monitor hardware performance across the fleet, initiating individual vehicle repairs, adjusting maintenance schedules, and defining software improvements to enhance product performance.

Qualifications

• BSc or MSc in a relevant engineering discipline; Electrical, Electronic, or Mechanical.
• 3+ years of experience with High Voltage Charging and EVSE in the automotive or comparable industry, combining theoretical and practical engineering experience.
• Experience with C++, Python, SQL, Linux, or similar technologies at a comprehension level required; synthesis-level experience preferred.
• Experience with AI coding tools such as Claude, Devin, or Cursor is preferred.
• Experience with vehicle CAN and Ethernet tools such as Vector CANalyzer and Wireshark.
• Demonstrated knowledge of foundational engineering topics (e.g., mechanics, physics, metallurgy, manufacturing methods, electronics, software, control systems) within a job-related area.
• Automotive diagnostics development experience strongly preferred.
• Proven track record driving service and field requirements in a complex, design-focused environment.
• Strong analytical and structured problem-solving skills, with an aptitude for unusual and complex problems.
• Track record working closely with cross-functional teams and stakeholders in a technology environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the interpersonal range to work effectively with internal and external partners across a wide range of backgrounds and expectations.
• Ability to work with extreme attention to detail while stepping back to consider the big picture when necessary.
• Occasional travel may be required (10%).
• Ability to stand, sit, or walk for 8-10 hours per day.
• Required to communicate using phone and/or e-mail.
• Ability to view, read, and interpret documents.
• Ability to perform all duties in an office environment that may contain ambient noise and temperature fluctuations

Pay Disclosure

The salary range for this role is $98,500 to $130,480 for California (Non-Bay Area) based applicants. This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, shift, and organizational needs. The successful candidate may be eligible for annual performance bonus. We offer a comprehensive package of benefits for full-time and part-time employees, their spouse or domestic partner, and children up to age 26, including but not limited to paid vacation, paid sick leave, and a competitive portfolio of insurance benefits including life, medical, dental, vision, short-term disability insurance, and long-term disability insurance to eligible employees. You may also have the opportunity to participate in Rivian’s 401(k) Plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program if you meet certain eligibility requirements. Full-time employee coverage is effective on their first day of employment. Part-time employee coverage is effective the first of the month following 90 days of employment. More information about benefits is available at rivianbenefits.com. You can apply for this role through careers.rivian.com (or through internal-careers-rivian.icims.com if you are a current employee). This job is not expected to be closed any sooner than October 7, 2026.