Director - Product Security

About This Role

Responsibilities

• Lead a team that will define and own the multi-year product security roadmap for Rivian and RV Tech's joint SDV platform. Translate business objectives, threat landscapes, and regulatory requirements into a coherent, executable security strategy spanning vehicle firmware, cloud backend, mobile applications, and the OTA update pipeline.
• Embed security across the full software development lifecycle. Partner with software, hardware, and platform engineering teams to conduct threat modeling and TARA (Threat Analysis and Risk Assessment), development of security requirements for implementation, systematic test definition and execution on SIL (software-in-loop), HIL (hardware-in-loop) and test vehicle levels. Establish secure coding guidelines and build automated security tooling into CI/CD pipelines.
• Lead adhering to compliance and security engineering efforts for automotive cybersecurity standards including ISO/SAE 21434 and UN Regulation No. 155. Secure zonal and E/E architecture, ECU communication buses (CAN, Automotive Ethernet), telematics, V2X, and ADAS/autonomy stacks. Own security of OTA update signing and delivery infrastructure.
• Build and operate a world-class vulnerability management program covering vehicle software, cloud services, and mobile apps. Establish and manage a bug bounty program and coordinate penetration testing across all product surfaces.
• Define and enforce security requirements across Tier-1 and Tier-2 automotive suppliers and software vendors. Build Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) practices and ensure supply chain integrity.
• Secure RV Tech's AI and autonomy platform, including the Rivian Unified Intelligence stack and in-vehicle AI systems. Develop threat models for ML pipelines, model integrity, and adversarial input attacks.
• Build and lead the Product Security Incident Response Team (PSIRT) for RV Tech. Establish coordinated disclosure processes, incident playbooks, and executive communication frameworks.
• Recruit, build, and inspire a high-performance product security team across Palo Alto, Irvine, Vancouver and Berlin. Create a culture of ownership, technical excellence, and continuous improvement.
• Report directly to the Sr. Director, Product Security, Safety and Software Quality and present to executive leadership and the board on product security posture, program maturity, and key risks. Represent RV Tech at industry forums and standards bodies.

Requirements

• 12+ years of progressive experience in cybersecurity, with at least 5 years in product security leadership at a software-defined product company
• Deep technical expertise in application security, embedded systems security, or automotive cybersecurity with hands-on engineering background
• Demonstrated experience building and scaling a product security or AppSec team from the ground up
• Proven ability to influence and drive security posture across engineering organizations without direct authority
• Strong working knowledge of threat modeling methodologies (STRIDE, PASTA, TARA), secure SDLC practices, and vulnerability management programs
• Experience securing cloud-native architectures at scale (GCP, AWS, or Azure)
• Track record of operating at the executive level presenting to the board and translating technical risk into business language
• B.S. or M.S. in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent practical experience
• Direct experience with ISO/SAE 21434, UN Regulation No. 155, or other automotive-specific cybersecurity frameworks (preferred)
• Background in embedded security, firmware security, or hardware security (preferred)
• Familiarity with AI/ML security and securing inference pipelines in safety-critical systems (preferred)

Benefits & Perks

About Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies is a joint venture formed in November 2024, combining the strengths of Rivian and the Volkswagen Group. This partnership focuses on developing advanced software and electrical architecture for electric vehicles, aiming to enhance the intelligence, sustainability, and enjoyment of vehicles over time. The joint venture specializes in software-defined vehicle (SDV) architecture, which includes modular central computers that manage all vehicle functions. It also creates functional software for automated driving and infotainment, along with over-the-air update capabilities that keep vehicles current without needing service visits. The collaboration leverages expertise in connectivity, artificial intelligence, security, and zonal architecture to deliver innovative solutions. The SDV architecture will be utilized in electric vehicles from Volkswagen Group brands, with plans to support up to 30 million units. Rivian will also integrate these technologies into its future models, including the R2, R3, and R3X, while enhancing its existing fleet. The joint venture has a total deal size of up to $5.8 billion, with market deployment expected by the end of the decade.