Lead - Strategic and Technology Partnerships

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 the Lead, Strategic and Technology Partnerships, you will serve as a foundational member of the team and a key execution partner to the Global Director. This is not a commercial sales or traditional account management role; it is a highly strategic, platform-centric position focused on building a dynamic technology ecosystem. Your mission is to proactively identify, cultivate, and manage high-value alliances with large technology enterprises and emerging startups to expand RVT's core technology pillars: Operating Systems/SDV Platforms, Zonal Architecture, Cloud/Telematics/Connectivity Solutions, In-Vehicle Intelligence (AI, Security, Autonomy), and Infotainment/Ecosystem Applications (Mapping, Gaming, User Experience). You will play a critical role in shifting the industry away from a reactive "feature-request" model, instead curating a proactive, "Market-First" Strategic Catalog of innovative, scalable software solutions.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Cultivate "Market-First" Alliances: Identify, vet, and secure strategic technology partnerships with major tech companies and disruptive startups across RVT’s core technical pillars. Position RVT as the premium platform partner of choice for emerging tech.

• Curate the Strategic Product Portfolio: Collaborate cross-functionally with product, software, and architecture teams to transition from individual OEM feature-customization to a scalable model. Help manage a forward-thinking product catalog spanning OS, cloud, and infotainment domains that allow platform customers to integrate technology with speed and scale.

• Structure and Negotiate Scalable Agreements: Lead the commercial development lifecycle for technology partners. Structure and negotiate complex commercial terms, high-stakes master service agreements (MSAs), and affiliate frameworks optimized for global volumes to maximize cost savings and capture cross-functional synergies.

• Drive Global Economies of Scale: Architect technology partnership frameworks that unify software and connectivity solutions across multiple vehicle platforms (eg. Rivian, Volkswagen, Audi, Scout), actively eliminating engineering redundancies and maximizing efficiency.

• De-Risk Global Integrations: Partner closely with internal legal and product security teams to navigate complex international antitrust, intellectual property (IP) rights, and data privacy frameworks (e.g., GDPR, CCPA) to ensure all partner integrations remain compliant and secure.

• Evaluate Ecosystem Health: Continually run "build, buy, or partner" analyses to assess adjacent market opportunities, tracking global automotive tech trends, evolving SaaS models, and digital-based innovations.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Professional Experience: 7+ years of experience with a proven track record in strategic partnerships, corporate development, or software/digital ecosystem building. Experience within a Tier-1 software ecosystem, cloud platform, or deep tech environment is highly preferred.

• Domain Expertise: Deep familiarity with at least two of RVT's core technology pillars: Operating Systems/SDV platforms, Zonal/E/E Architecture, Cloud/Connectivity solutions, In-Vehicle Intelligence (AI, Security, Autonomy), or Infotainment/Ecosystem applications.

• Deal-Making and Negotiation Skills: Demonstrated experience leading complex contract negotiations, specifically dealing with software licensing models, SaaS delivery architectures, affiliate agreements, or multi-party commercial structures.

• Technical and Regulatory Fluency: Strong comfort level translating technical infrastructure (APIs, SDKs, Android Automotive/AAOS, vehicle data protocols, and over-the-air/OTA update pipelines) into business structures, coupled with a solid understanding of the legal landscapes surrounding tech partnerships (IP rights and data privacy).

• Stakeholder Management: Exceptional communication skills with the ability to navigate complex, multi-layered organizations (such as JVs and global parent OEMs) and build consensus among diverse executive and technical stakeholders.

• Mindset: A results-driven professional with a growth mindset who thrives in high levels of ambiguity and complexity. Self-directed, pragmatic, and highly collaborative.

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field required; MBA or advanced degree preferred.

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 https://rvtech.mybenefits.life/.

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 https://app.ashbyhq.com/internal/job-board/b10a9912-eb45-4a84-9a34-84b2a459923a.

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) https://assets.ctfassets.net/2md5qhoeajym/53otRWdzXPzSdWPgiel5T/07c61b0eed2d91f2f403f788fd20d315/RVTech_Candidate_Data_Privacy_Notice_-_Nov_2024.pdf and Candidate Data Privacy Notice (Serbian) https://assets.ctfassets.net/2md5qhoeajym/40xUZMehbGToclkLqWXW0E/eb5b553bd8af7c607066253fbb227bda/RVTech_Candidate_Data_Privacy_Notice_-_Nov_2024_Serbian.pdf 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.