# Carsten Helbing

> Carsten Helbing is the COO and Co-CEO of Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies, the $5.8 billion joint venture headquartered in Palo Alto that is building the software and electrical architecture stack for a new generation of software-defined vehicles. A mechanical engineer by training who spent more than two decades at Volkswagen - rising from graduate engineer to Group Chief Technology Engineer - Helbing now leads a ~1,500-person organisation alongside Rivian co-CEO Wassym Bensaid, bridging German engineering discipline with Silicon Valley's software-first culture to redefine how cars are built, updated, and experienced.

- **Role:** COO & Co-CEO at Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies
- **Organizations:** Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies, Volkswagen Group, Volkswagen AI-LAB (Executive Board member)
- **Nationality:** German
- **Education:** Diplom-Ingenieur, General Mechanical Engineering, Technische Universität Darmstadt
- **Known for:** Spearheaded Volkswagen's Scalable Systems Platform (SSP) - the group's strategic initiative to unify vehicle architectures across all future EV models, Co-leads a $5.8 billion joint venture between Rivian and Volkswagen Group with ~1,500 employees, Oversaw integration of Rivian's zonal hardware and software into a Volkswagen test vehicle within 12 weeks of JV formation

## Career timeline

- **2001** — Joined Volkswagen as a graduate engineer
- **2003-2010** — Engine Application Development at Volkswagen - managed performance, reliability, and emissions standards
- **2010-2013** — Brazil Operations Manager at Volkswagen - expanded international powertrain expertise
- **2013-2016** — Powertrain Software Director at Volkswagen - aligned vehicle systems with digital requirements
- **2016-2018** — Gasoline Engine Development Lead at Volkswagen
- **2018-2021** — Senior Aggregate Development Manager at Volkswagen - oversaw powertrain integration and sustainable systems
- **2021-2023** — Chief Technology Officer, Scalable Systems Platform (SSP) at Volkswagen - led initiative to unify vehicle architectures for future EVs
- **2023-2025** — Group Chief Technology Engineer at Volkswagen - directed global technical engineering strategy
- **2023-2025** — Member of Executive Board, Volkswagen Group AI-LAB
- **2025-02** — Appointed COO and Co-CEO of Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies (JV launched November 2024)

## Achievements

- Spearheaded Volkswagen's Scalable Systems Platform (SSP) - the group's strategic initiative to unify vehicle architectures across all future EV models
- Co-leads a $5.8 billion joint venture between Rivian and Volkswagen Group with ~1,500 employees
- Oversaw integration of Rivian's zonal hardware and software into a Volkswagen test vehicle within 12 weeks of JV formation
- Managed international career spanning Germany, Brazil, and the United States
- Rose from graduate engineer to Group Chief Technology Engineer at one of the world's largest automakers over a 24-year career
- Served on Executive Board of Volkswagen Group AI-LAB
- Featured speaker at AIDAQ (AI & Data Summit and Quantum Summit), Berlin 2026

## Latest updates

- **2026-09** — Confirmed as speaker at AIDAQ AI & Data Summit and Quantum Summit, Berlin, September 22-23, 2026
- **2025-10** — Featured in official Volkswagen Group press imagery alongside Wassym Bensaid and other VW Group leaders (October 2025)
- **2025-02** — Formally stepped into the COO and Co-CEO role at Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies as the JV operationalized
- **2024-11** — Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies JV formally launched on November 13, 2024, with Helbing designated co-CEO

## Links

- Website: https://rivianvw.tech
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carsten-helbing-918412142/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/carsten-helbing
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-05-17