Role Overview

Join Rivian as a Sr. Machine Learning/AI Engineer in Palo Alto, California, and drive the future of autonomous driving technology. Rivian, the pioneering EV manufacturer building emissions-free Electric Adventure Vehicles, seeks a Research Scientist with deep expertise in quantized deep learning models for hardware acceleration in autonomous systems. This cross-disciplinary role bridges perception model design and hardware-aware deployment, enabling efficient, real-time execution of high-performance perception algorithms on embedded compute platforms. If you thrive in unknown territories, reframing problems and co-optimizing AI for next-gen hardware, this is your chance to accelerate Rivian's mission to keep the world adventurous forever.

Focus on researching state-of-the-art perception models and developing optimization pipelines for quantized versions (CNNs, Transformers, LLMs) tailored for energy-efficient, real-time performance on autonomy hardware. Collaborate across ADAS, hardware, perception, and systems teams to push boundaries in autonomous vehicle AI.

Key Responsibilities at Rivian

• Research state-of-the-art perception models in collaboration with ADAS software teams to advance computer vision capabilities.
• Lead the development of optimizations for mapping quantized perception models (e.g., CNNs, Transformers, LLMs) to embedded and heterogeneous hardware platforms.
• Design and implement hardware-aware optimizations, including quantization strategies, model compression, memory-efficient representations, and operator fusion for custom accelerators.
• Collaborate with hardware teams to co-optimize model architecture and compute pipelines under real-time constraints like latency, throughput, and power.
• Benchmark and analyze system performance across platforms, iterating for optimal deployment efficiency in autonomous systems.
• Partner with perception, systems, and autonomy teams to align model optimization efforts with hardware roadmaps and real-world requirements.
• Develop optimization pipelines for quantized models ensuring real-time performance and energy efficiency on next-generation hardware.
• Bridge perception model design and hardware-aware deployment for seamless execution on embedded platforms.
• Drive hardware-software co-design innovations tailored for robotics and autonomous driving applications.

Qualifications & Requirements

To excel as a Sr. Machine Learning/AI Engineer at Rivian, you need a strong technical foundation:

• Ph.D. or M.S. in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field, focusing on ML compilers, embedded systems, or hardware-aware AI.
• Hands-on experience with quantized model deployment, ML design stacks, and code generation for embedded/heterogeneous systems.
• Strong understanding of computer vision models like object detection and segmentation, optimized for edge inference.
• Proficiency in deep learning frameworks (PyTorch, TensorFlow) and low-level IRs/export formats (e.g., ONNX).
• Solid programming skills in C++ and Python.
• Familiarity with CUDA/OpenCL or other accelerator programming models.

Preferred Qualifications: Experience in hardware-software co-design for autonomous platforms, deep knowledge of QAT and quantization flows, embedded real-time constraints, model rearchitecting for hardware, and publications in MLSys, NeurIPS, DAC, or ICCAD.

Salary & Benefits

Rivian offers a competitive salary range of $162,800 - $205,300 USD yearly for Palo Alto, CA-based Sr. Machine Learning/AI Engineers, determined by experience, location, and other factors. Enjoy robust perks including:

• Comprehensive medical, Rx, dental, and vision insurance for employees, spouses/domestic partners, and children up to age 26.
• Full-time coverage starts day one; part-time after 90 days.
• Equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and accessibility.
• Work on groundbreaking EV autonomy tech with a passionate team.
• Additional benefits like professional development and outdoor adventure culture.

Why Join Rivian?

Rivian isn't just building electric vehicles; we're redefining adventure with emissions-free Electric Adventure Vehicles. Our diverse team shares a love for the outdoors and a drive to protect it. As a Sr. Machine Learning/AI Engineer, you'll tackle unknown challenges in autonomous systems AI, co-designing quantized models for hardware that powers real-world autonomy. Benefit from cutting-edge resources, collaborative innovation, and a mission-driven culture. Palo Alto location places you at the heart of Silicon Valley tech, with opportunities to publish in top conferences and shape the future of mobility. Rivian complies with all fair employment laws, ensuring an inclusive environment.

How to Apply

Ready to accelerate Rivian's autonomy revolution? Apply now for the Sr. Machine Learning/AI Engineer role in Palo Alto, CA. Submit your resume highlighting quantized DL expertise and hardware optimization experience. Need accommodations? Email candidateaccommodations@rivian.com. Don't miss this chance to join a team that's challenging what's possible in EV and AI innovation!