Volkswagen Group’s recent $5 billion partnership with Rivian has garnered a lot of attention, but it seems that the collaboration was in the works long before the deal was announced. A review of LinkedIn data by TechCrunch reveals that VW Group’s software arm, Cariad, has been hiring top employees from Rivian for several months now. Over 23 employees, including Cariad’s chief software officer, chief product security officer, vice presidents, and principal engineers, have been brought on board from the startup. Most of these hires came from senior software roles at Rivian, with many of them joining just this year.
It’s important to note that these hires were made prior to the formalization of the joint venture between VW and Rivian. The details of the partnership are still being worked out and are expected to be finalized in the fourth quarter. However, these early hires from Rivian demonstrate VW’s and Cariad’s commitment to tapping into software talent. With the joint venture on the horizon, these hires could prove to be invaluable.
These new hires have also helped Cariad in its efforts to establish a Silicon Valley outpost called the SDV Hub in Mountain View. This hub is focused on developing the next-generation software architecture known as “software 2.0,” which is designed to be an operating system for all VW Group brands. Sanjay Lal, who previously led the development of Rivian’s infotainment and middleware, was hired by Cariad to lead the establishment of the SDV Hub. The engineers at the hub, both in California and Germany, are working on this software 2.0 architecture.
While it’s still early to speculate on the specific roles these employees will play in the VW-Rivian joint venture, it’s clear that their expertise and experience will be valuable assets. Both Rivian and VW spokespeople have stated that it’s premature to make any definitive statements about the venture.
Cariad, which currently has over 7,000 employees worldwide, has been undergoing a restructuring process after facing numerous challenges. Initially created in 2020 to accelerate the development of advanced software and electrical architecture for VW Group’s EV push, Cariad has faced delays and internal issues that led to executive shakeups and the dismissal of VW Group CEO Herbert Diess. However, under the leadership of Peter Bosch, Cariad has completed the 1.2 software architecture for the upcoming Porsche Macan EV and is now focusing on the game-changing 2.0 architecture that aims to rival Tesla.
The decision to tap into talent from Rivian marks a departure from how Cariad has previously built its North American workforce. In the past, most employees in the region came from other parts of the VW Group or automotive and software suppliers. However, recent hires from Rivian and other tech companies, like Google, reflect a shift in Cariad’s strategy.
VW and Cariad are not the only ones recognizing the value of startups like Rivian when it comes to acquiring top talent. Ford’s low-cost EV project has also been recruiting from Rivian, as well as other companies like Tesla, Lucid Motors, and even Apple’s disbanded Project Titan. This trend highlights the growing significance of startups in the automotive industry and their ability to attract top talent in the software and EV space.
Overall, the early hires from Rivian by VW Group’s Cariad highlight the company’s commitment to software expertise and its determination to succeed in the EV market. These hires, combined with the establishment of the SDV Hub and the development of software 2.0 architecture, position VW Group and Rivian for a successful joint venture that could shape the future of electric vehicles.