CAD Engineer - Studio Craftsmanship

About Rivian

Rivian is on a mission to keep the world adventurous forever. This goes for the emissions-free Electric Adventure Vehicles we build, and the curious, courageous souls we seek to attract.

As a company, we constantly challenge what’s possible, never simply accepting what has always been done. We reframe old problems, seek new solutions and operate comfortably in areas that are unknown. Our backgrounds are diverse, but our team shares a love of the outdoors and a desire to protect it for future generations.

Role Summary

The Studio Craftsmanship Engineer is a pivotal member of Rivian’s Perceived Quality team, fusing advanced CAD engineering expertise with studio design acumen to ensure every vehicle lives up to our brand promise. You will transform subjective sensory inputs into objective engineering specifications, drive detailed A‑Surface geometry development in CATIA, and serve as the CAD authority that gates production release of visible parts.

Responsibilities

• Lead CAD development of vehicle-level craftsmanship for Rivian products.
• Perform CAD analysis and verification to ensure data quality and craftsmanship alignment.
• Own the CAD approval gate for A‑Surface part release.
• Provide CAD-based PQ engineering support across programs.
• Develop and maintain the Section Cutting Automation Tool in CATIA.
• Translate feasibility requirements into concise Studio direction.
• Collaborate closely with both Studio and Engineering teams to preserve design intent while meeting feasibility and craftsmanship standards.
• Participate in competitive benchmarking and establish Bill of Design criteria for craftsmanship excellence.
• Jointly co-validate Design criteria with Concept, Core, and Subject Matter Expert teams.
• Define and provide target specifications to Studio, Engineering, and Supplier teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering, Masters preferred.
• 2–4+ years of experience delivering CAD designs for visible automotive components using CATIA or equivalent tools.
• Capable of navigating both Studio and Engineering environments to align aesthetic intent with technical feasibility.
• Capable of delivering Complex A-surface Geometry using Catia v5/v6
• Experienced in collaborating with Digital Sculpting teams to refine and validate Class-A surface quality.
• Demonstrated Proficiency in 3d surfacing, solids and parametric modeling for visual parts.
• Able to manage large CAD assemblies and interface integration.
• Able to evaluate and resolve Complex geometry issues across Studio and Engineering Teams.
• Skilled in applying and interpreting GD&T in CAD environments
• Demonstrated knowledge of Craftsmanship and Perceived Quality Standards.
• Proficient understanding of material impact on overall craftsmanship and perceived quality