Embedded Systems Software Engineering Intern at UIUC Research Park (January - August 2027)
Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies Embedded Systems Software Engineering Intern at UIUC Research Park (January - August 2027)
Summary
Software engineering intern on the Infotainment Platform Enablement team, supporting early hardware bring-up and ECU validation for next-generation automotive infotainment. Day to day: building test utilities, vehicle workload emulation, and diagnostics telemetry in C/C++ and Python on high-compute embedded SoCs.
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.
Candidates should be available from January 11, 2027 to August 13, 2027.
Role Summary
As a Software Engineering Intern, you will support the Infotainment Platform Enablement team focused on next-generation infotainment platforms. The team enables early hardware bring-up develops manufacturing validation software, and builds system-level workload emulation and diagnostics frameworks to de-risk high compute automotive platforms well ahead of production. This role offers hands-on exposure to embedded systems, hardware-software integration, vehicle workload emulation, and large-scale diagnostics telemetry systems running on cutting-edge compute platforms.
Responsibilities
Contribute to the design and implementation of a Software Application Framework for infotainment and validation systems
Support hardware bring-up and validation of Electrical Control Units (ECUs)
Develop test utilities and manufacturing software in C/C++ and Python
Assist in emulating vehicle workloads to validate system behavior and power/performance characteristics
Debug hardware and software integration issues across subsystems (camera, display, audio, connectivity, sensors)
Collect, analyze, and visualize diagnostics telemetry data to support root cause analysis
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to gather requirements and deliver scalable solutions
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
Currently enrolled in a full-time degree program in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related field at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Strong programming skills in C/C++ and/or Python
Understanding of embedded systems fundamentals
Must be located in Champaign, IL and able to work out of our office in the Research Park.
Preferred Qualifications:
Exposure to embedded platform architecture (GPU, PCIe, camera pipelines, high-speed interfaces)
Prior experience with high-compute platforms such as NVIDIA, Qualcomm, or equivalent SoCs
Coursework or internship experience involving:
Camera / Display / Audio subsystems
WiFi / Bluetooth / networking interfaces
Linux-based embedded systems
Experience with telemetry, data processing, or analytics tools (e.g., Databricks or equivalent data platforms) is a plus
Total Rewards
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.
External candidates can apply for this role through the Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies careers site (). If you are a current employee, please apply through our internal job board.
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 candidateaccommodations@rivian.com.
Candidate Data Privacy
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) record keeping; (vi) ensuring network and information security and preventing fraud; and (vii) as otherwise required or permitted by applicable law.
Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies may share your Candidate Personal Data with (i) internal personnel who have a need to know such information in order to perform their duties, including individuals on our People Team, Finance, Legal, and the team(s) with the position(s) for which you are applying; (ii) Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies affiliates; and (iii) Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies’ service providers, including providers of background checks, staffing services, and cloud services.
Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies may transfer or store internationally your Candidate Personal Data, including to or in the United States, Canada, and the European Union and in the cloud, and this data may be subject to the laws and accessible to the courts, law enforcement and national security authorities of such jurisdictions.
If you provide a mobile telephone number as part of your application or during the recruitment process, Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies may use that number to contact you via SMS text message for recruitment-related purposes, including scheduling, logistics, and status updates. Message and data rates may apply. You may opt out of SMS communications at any time by replying STOP to any text message you receive from us. Consent to receive SMS messages is not a condition of applying for or being considered for employment.
Please see our Candidate Data Privacy Notice (English) and Candidate Data Privacy Notice (Serbian) for more information.
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Please note this job posting represents an open, active vacancy. Additionally, we are not currently accepting applications from third party application services.
Skills
As published by ashby · 14 questions
Basics
Name, Email, Resume, Location
Short answers (5)
- Preferred first name optional
- Phone
- LinkedIn URL optional
- Other website optional
- What school are you currently attending?
Pick from a list (9)
- Are you currently authorized to work for any employer in the United States?
- Have you ever worked for RV Tech and/or Rivian, in any capacity, including as a contractor/contingent worker, or as an RV Tech VW Group Partner?
- I authorize the RV Tech Talent Acquisition team to consider me for other job opportunities within RV Tech in addition to the specific job I am applying for.
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- Is your most recent country of (1) citizenship or (2) permanent residency one of the following countries: North Korea; Syria; Iran; or Cuba?
- What degree are you currently pursuing? optional
- Do you intend to return to a degree-seeking program at the conclusion of the internship for at least 1 more term?
- Will you be able to work full-time during the listed dates of the program?