Electrical Engineer, Special Projects

Rivian; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 85,600 - 107,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation

Paid sick leave

Comprehensive insurance benefits

401(k) Plan

Employee Stock Purchase Program

Job summary

Rivian in Irvine, CA is looking for an engineer to join their Special Projects Team. This role involves designing and building hardware for prototypes, ensuring functionality and adaptability in a fast-paced environment. You will collaborate with a talented team to convert ambitious designs into tangible products, including unique vehicles like ambulances.

The ideal candidate should have a Bachelor's degree focused on engineering and expertise in LV/HV vehicle architecture, PCB design, and mechatronics. A competitive salary range of $85,600 - $107,000 is offered, along with comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Understanding of circuit and wiring design for vehicles.
• Experience powering and actuating motors for testing applications.
• Ability to design and integrate PCB functions into vehicle architecture.

Responsibilities

• Design hardware for show cars and early prototypes.
• Program microcontrollers and write embedded software.
• Collaborate with teams to turn ideas into functional systems.
• Maintain documentation for servicing and future projects.

Skills

LV and HV vehicle architecture understanding

PCB design

Mechatronics systems expertise

Software development for prototypes

Strong teamwork skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree with an Engineering Focus

Job description

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

Based in Irvine, CA, the Special Projects Team is the hands‑on heartbeat of Rivian's future, where you'll get out from behind the desk to turn ambitious concepts into physical reality. We are responsible for everything from clean‑sheet electrical architecture and rapid prototyping to full‑vehicle builds, including engineering the show‑stopping prototypes for the R2, R3, and R3X unveilings. Our mission is to rapidly construct early‑stage development assets that drive Rivian's critical production decisions, meaning you will be actively translating design intent into functioning physical assemblies right on the shop floor.

You won't just be building future models; you'll also get your hands dirty retrofitting existing vehicles for high‑profile, unique applications like a Grey's Anatomy Ambulance or the Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Van. We prioritize agility and rapid problem‑solving over bureaucratic red tape, allowing you to work shoulder‑to‑shoulder with an elite crew of fabricators, machinists, and designers at breakneck speeds. This role is highly collaborative and fast‑paced while offering experience working on a wide range of interesting projects.

Responsibilities

• Design ground‑up hardware for show cars and early prototypes, flexing your expertise across mechatronics, LV/HV wiring, and power electronics.
• Program microcontrollers and write embedded software to transform static assemblies into dynamic, fully functional electromechanical systems.
• Partner with cross‑functional teams to translate ambitious ideas into reality, designing clever surrogate hardware to bypass bottlenecks and hit aggressive timelines.
• Maintain clean, actionable documentation so your custom architectures can be easily serviced, duplicated, or evolved for future projects.

Qualifications

• An understanding of LV and HV vehicle architecture for circuit and wiring design.
• Ability to design PCBs and integrate their functions into vehicle architectures.
• The ability to collaborate to find solutions to complex problems in unfamiliar systems.
• Experience with mechatronics systems such as powering and actuating motors for testing applications.
• The ability to quickly make trade‑offs and decisions to drive progress.
• The ability to develop software for custom prototypes designed within this same role.
• Strong teamwork skills, the ability to collaborate, and a positive attitude.
• Bachelor's Degree with an Engineering Focus.

Pay Disclosure

The salary range for this role is $85,600 - $107,000 for California 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.

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 paid vacation, paid sick leave, and a competitive portfolio of insurance benefits such as 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.

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.

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis until the role is filled or the opening is no longer needed.

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].