Embedded Systems Software Engineering Intern at UIUC Research Park (January- August 2027)

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.

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.

• 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

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

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 (https://rivianvw.tech/#careers). If you are a current employee, please apply through our internal job board.

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].

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.