Sr. Staff Structural Simulation Engineer
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 As a Senior Staff Structural Simulation Engineer, you will lead structural and thermo-mechanical risk management for advanced vehicle electronics through high-fidelity numerical simulations. You will define critical design requirements for integrated PCB layouts, enclosures, and cooling architectures to ensure aggressive hardware reliability targets are met. Your role involves establishing material characterization protocols and sophisticated model correlation to maintain world-class simulation fidelity. You will serve as a technical authority, driving strategic cross-functional decisions and leading complex root-cause analysis for pioneering electrical hardware. Ultimately, you will guide multidisciplinary teams to ensure engineering excellence and the success of next-generation vehicle systems. Responsibilities Spearhead structural and thermo-mechanical design risk management for low-voltage electronics assemblies within pioneering vehicle electrical hardware. Execute multi-scale numerical simulations (e.g., random vibrations, shock, thermal-cycling) for electronics assemblies to establish and meet aggressive functional performance and reliability targets. Define structural risk margins, dictate component selection, and optimize component layout on heterogeneously integrated printed circuit boards, driving significant performance gains. Deliver comprehensive design guidance, including setting enclosure stiffness requirements, defining thermal stack-up, optimizing cooling architecture, and specifying material systems to electronics assembly design teams. Establish material characterization protocols and manage the centralized simulation material database for critical electronics components, polymers, and elastomers, ensuring simulation fidelity. Direct, manage, and validate structural benchmarking activities, including sophisticated model correlation through advanced techniques like sine-sweep testing and high-fidelity strain gauge measurements. Provide simulation expertise and strategic support to reliability engineering teams for complex root-cause analysis during rigorous testing and validation cycles. Drive critical, cross-functional program decisions and consensus across multidisciplinary engineering teams, serving as a technical authority to ensure unparalleled product and engineering excellence. Qualifications Masters Degree in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering or equivalent; PhD preferred. 8-10 years (Ph.D) / 12-15 years (M.S.) of relevant industry experience working on problems in Applied Structural Mechanics for IC packages and electronics assemblies. Solid understanding of theoretical and experimental structural mechanics with excellent domain knowledge in the following areas: Non-Linear analysis, Explicit Analysis, Linear Dynamics and Vibrations, Coupled Thermal-Structural analysis. Demonstrated expertise in IC package (electronics package) design, materials, and common failure Chip-Package Interaction (CPI) driven failure modes across diverse applications, including high-power semiconductors and high-performance compute (e.g., AI and ADAS chips) applications. Broad understanding of structural composition and manufacturing of diverse package types, including Ball Grid Arrays (BGAs), System-on-Chip (SoC), and System-in-Package (SiP). Strong foundation in FEA solvers, particularly Abaqus and Optistruct, with proven ability to independently set up, execute, and troubleshoot analysis convergence issues. Proficient in pre/post processing tools such as Hypermesh, Ansa/Meta, etc. Excellent understanding of constitutive models and failure modes in metals, plastics, and elastomers. Proficient with using Python/Matlab for running analysis and post-analysis data processing. Experience developing and leading other multidisciplinary engineers. Excellent communication skills across all functions and levels. Excellent documentation practices. Fluent written and spoken English. Pay Disclosure Salary Range / Hourly Rate for Palo Alto applicants: $191,200 - $239,500 USD. The posted salary represents the lowest and highest ranges RV Tech reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for the position. Any posted salary range pertains only to the estimated starting pay for the role. Actual starting pay is based on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate’s experience, skillset, qualifications, specific competencies, relevant education, and location. Total Rewards Total compensation packages for this position include base salary, eligibility for an annual performance bonus, and eligibility for equity. In addition, our benefits package has been designed to support the health and wellness of our employees. Benefit offerings include Flex Time Off, retirement savings plans as well as medical, vision and dental coverage. For more information on RV Tech’s comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees, check out our Global Benefits Site. External candidates can apply for this role through the RV Tech Careers site (https://rivianvw.tech/#careers). If you are a current employee, please apply through our internal job board (https://internal-careers-rivian.icims.com/). 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. If you have a disability or limitation, such as those covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, that requires accommodations to assist you in the search and application process, please email us at [email protected]. Candidate Data Privacy Rivian and VW Group Technologies (“Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies”) may collect, use and disclose your personal information or personal data (within the meaning of the applicable data protection laws) when you apply for employment and/or participate in our recruitment processes (“Candidate Personal Data”). This data includes contact, demographic, communications, educational, professional, employment, social media/website, network/device, recruiting system usage/interaction, security and preference information. Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies may use your Candidate Personal Data for the purposes of (i) tracking interactions with our recruiting system; (ii) carrying out, analyzing and improving our application and recruitment process, including assessing you and your application and conducting employment, background and reference checks; (iii) establishing an employment relationship or entering into an employment contract with you; (iv) complying with our legal, regulatory and corporate governance obligations; (v) recordkeeping; (vi) ensuring network and information security and preventing fraud; and (vii) as otherwise required or permitted by applicable law. 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Please note this job posting represents an open, active vacancy. Additionally, we are currently not accepting applications from third party application services.