Staff Vehicle Tightness Engineer

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 Environmental Performance team is responsible for ensuring Rivian vehicles deliver exceptional usability and robustness in all operating conditions. This newly formed team serves as a centre of excellence for environmental protection, owning vehicle-level attributes for water and dust intrusion, as well as corrosion prevention, soiling and water management. We are seeking a Vehicle Tightness Engineer to play a foundational role in defining and executing the strategies that protect our vehicles from the elements.

Responsibilities

• Attribute Ownership: Lead the Vehicle Tightness attribute from concept through production. You will be the subject matter expert, guiding vehicle programs to meet targets for overall vehicle-level sealing performance.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with Attributes, Body Structures, Closures, Quality and Manufacturing teams to influence component and system design, ensuring sealing performance is optimised from the earliest stages of development.
• Validation and Testing: Develop and execute comprehensive validation plans (DVP&R) at the component, system, and vehicle levels. This includes both physical test methods and the application of virtual simulation tools to predict and verify performance.
• Root Cause Analysis: Drive the resolution of any water or dust leak issues identified during development, validation, or production. You will lead systematic problem-solving efforts and implement effective corrective actions.
• Standards Development: Establish and maintain internal engineering standards, specifications, and best practices for vehicle tightness to ensure world-class performance across all Rivian products.
• Methodology Development: Support the development of new testing methodologies and equipment to improve our ability to simulate real-world conditions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• A minimum of 6 years of experience in vehicle development, with direct experience in body-in-white, closures, or sealing systems.
• Strong understanding of vehicle architecture, manufacturing processes, and static sealing principles.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD software (CATIA V6/3DX is highly desirable).
• Demonstrated experience applying core engineering principles such as DFMEA, DVP&R, and root cause analysis.
• Proven ability to manage projects and collaborate effectively with diverse, cross-functional teams in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical information clearly and concisely.
• Advanced knowledge of materials - elastomers, automotive metals, manufacturing and joining techniques that affect vehicle tightness

Pay Disclosure

Salary range for California Based Applicants: $154,000-$192,500 (actual compensation will be determined based on experience, location, and other factors permitted by law).

Benefits Summary: Rivian provides robust medical/Rx, dental and vision insurance packages for full-time employees, their spouse or domestic partner, and children up to age 26. Coverage is effective on the first day of employment, and Rivian covers most of the premiums.

Equal Opportunity

Rivian is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. 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.

Rivian 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 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 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) recordkeeping; (vi) ensuring network and information security and preventing fraud; and (vii) as otherwise required or permitted by applicable law.

Rivian 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 affiliates; and (iii) Rivian’s service providers, including providers of background checks, staffing services, and cloud services.

Rivian may transfer or store internationally your Candidate Personal Data, including to or in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, 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.

Please note that we are currently not accepting applications from third party application services.

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