Continuous Improvement Partner

Socket.dev; Normal (IL); On-site; USD 79,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) Plan

Equity awards

Paid vacation

Job summary

Rivian is seeking a Continuous Improvement Partner to support the Corporate and Factory Continuous Improvement teams in coordinating day-to-day actions and long-term efforts related to the Rivian Production System. This role reports to the Sr.

Manager of Continuous Improvement and focuses on coaching, auditing, and deploying RPS concepts on the shop floor. The position requires 5+ years in manufacturing operations, a technical degree or equivalent experience, and Lean/Six-Sigma credentials.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of industry experience in manufacturing Operations.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred in Technical (Engineering, Math, Science) or related technical field; non‑degreed candidates with additional direct related operations experience will be considered in lieu of degree.
• Hands‑on experience leading projects and processes involving cross functional teams.
• Certifications in Project Management Methodology, Lean, and Six‑Sigma (Green Belt Minimum) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with manufacturing teams from a variety of backgrounds to define and establish best practices and standards through processes and documentation that meet Rivian’s needs.
• Work with RPS Leadership Steering Committee to continually improve the RPS framework and share knowledge.
• Support training teams with leadership and team member onboarding and ongoing trainings to establish and support core culture as well as deploy new RPS concepts to the production floor.
• Partner with teams across the factory on the implementation, sustainment, and improvement of the Rivian Integrated Operating System through coaching, doing, auditing, and assisting.
• Lead hands‑on coaching focused on production system topics including observations, leader standard work, 5s, waste elimination, and continuous improvement.
• Promote accountability across the organization by performing RPS audits to ensure tools are effectively used and behaviors are demonstrated. Provide coaching to Operations leaders to further develop skills.
• Be a mentor, coach, and resource to Operations team for problem solving, developing metric targets, and driving continuous improvement.
• Approach challenges from a strategic perspective, reframing problems, seeking regular feedback, effectively communicating with all stakeholders, and ensuring accountability among all parties involved.
• Strong problem‑solving skills are critical to help guide operations teams on the floor through the process and build problem solving capabilities.
• Strategic and forward‑thinking mindset. Will need to think outside the box and create new things from nothing.
• Strong understanding of Manufacturing and scope of responsibilities for all Rivian support groups and functions.
• Demonstrated ability to solve ambiguous, cross‑functional problems and set execution plans.
• Highly motivated self‑starter and constructive team‑player. Willing to make hands‑on contributions to development and deployment onto the shop floor.

Skills

Cross-functional teamwork

Problem solving

Strategic thinking

Coaching

Education

Bachelor’s degree preferred in Technical field

Tools

Project Management Certifications

Lean

Six Sigma Green Belt

Job description

About Rivian

Rivianis 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

Our Continuous Improvement Partners support the Corporate and Factory Continuous Improvement teams with coordination execution of day to day actions and long-term efforts related to the Rivian Production System (RPS). This role will report to our Sr. Manager of Continuous Improvement.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with manufacturing teams from a variety of backgrounds to define and establish best practices and standards through processes and documentation that meet Rivian’s needs.
• Work with RPS Leadership Steering Committee to continually improve the RPS framework and share knowledge.
• Support training teams with leadership and team member onboarding and ongoing trainings to establish and support core culture as well as deploy new RPS concepts to the production floor.
• Partner with teams across the factory on the implementation, sustainment, and improvement of the Rivian Integrated Operating System through coaching, doing, auditing, and assisting.
• Lead hands‑on coaching focused on production system topics including observations, leader standard work, 5s, waste elimination, and continuous improvement.
• Promote accountability across the organization by performing RPS audits to ensure tools are effectively used and behaviors are demonstrated. Provide coaching to Operations leaders to further develop skills.
• Be a mentor, coach, and resource to Operations team for problem solving, developing metric targets, and driving continuous improvement.
• Approach challenges from a strategic perspective, reframing problems, seeking regular feedback, effectively communicating with all stakeholders, and ensuring accountability among all parties involved.
• Strong problem‑solving skills are critical to help guide operations teams on the floor through the process and build problem solving capabilities.
• Strategic and forward‑thinking mindset. Will need to think outside the box and create new things from nothing.
• Strong understanding of Manufacturing and scope of responsibilities for all Rivian support groups and functions.
• Demonstrated ability to solve ambiguous, cross‑functional problems and set execution plans.
• Highly motivated self‑starter and constructive team‑player. Willing to make hands‑on contributions to development and deployment onto the shop floor.

Qualifications

• This position requires 5+ years of industry experience in a field related to manufacturing Operations.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred in Technical (Engineering, Math, Science) or related technical field. Non‑degreed candidates with additional direct related operations experience will be consider in lieu of degree requirement.
• Experience working in and/or developing production systems in an OEM setting is highly preferred.
• Hands‑on experience leading projects and processes involving cross functional teams.
• Certifications in Project Management Methodology, Lean, and Six‑Sigma (Green Belt Minimum) preferred.

Pay Disclosure

Salary Range for Illinois Based Applicants: The salary range for this position is $79,700 - $99,600 for Illinois based applicants. This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, shift, and organizational needs.

The successful candidate may be eligible for annual performance bonus and equity awards.

Benefits Summary: We offer a comprehensive package of benefits for full‑time and part‑time employees, their spouse or domestic partner, and children up to age 26, including but not limited to paid vacation, paid sick leave, and a competitive portfolio of insurance benefits including life, medical, dental, vision, short‑term disability insurance, and long‑term disability insurance to eligible employees. You may also have the opportunity to participate in Rivian’s 401(k) Plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program if you meet certain eligibility requirements. Full‑time employee coverage is effective on their first day of employment. Part‑time employee coverage is effective the first of the month following 90 days of employment. More information about benefits is available at rivianbenefits.com.

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 [e-mail].

Candidate Data Privacy and Technology

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.

How We Use AI in Our Hiring Process:

To ensure transparency, we want candidates to know that Rivian uses iCIMS Talent Cloud Artificial Intelligence (TCAI) and AI-enabled tools to assist with screening, reviewing, organizing and highlighting profiles and applications that match the key requirements for each role.

AI does not make hiring decisions: Qualified candidate applications are reviewed by a member of our team, and all decisions throughout the process are made by humans. We use AI to support efficiency and consistency, not to replace human judgment. We are committed to a fair, thoughtful, and equitable experience for every candidate.

Participation in AI profile matching is entirely voluntary. If you prefer that your profile not be used in this process, you can opt out at any time. Opting out means your profile will be excluded from automated matching and will not be surfaced for additional roles through this system. Your current application remains active and will not be affected in any way.

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