Lead Supplier Quality & Industrialization Engineer

Rivian Automotive; Tustin (CA); On-site; USD 125,000 - 156,000; Full time

Job summary

Rivian Automotive in Irvine, CA is seeking a Lead Supplier Development, Industrialization & Quality Engineer to own the cradle-to-grave supplier quality lifecycle. You will drive complex issue resolution, mentor teams, and influence critical sourcing decisions to ensure smooth production ramps.

The role demands experience with automotive suppliers, APQP/PPAP, and cross-functional leadership, with 25–50% travel. A technical engineering degree and 6+ years in supplier development are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical field.
• At least 6 years of supplier development experience.
• Deep understanding of the procurement end-to-end lifecycle.
• Experience with battery cells or electrochemical components.
• Familiarity with cell manufacturing and quality challenges when scaling new tech.
• Experience supporting new product introduction with suppliers in automotive.

Responsibilities

• Own cradle-to-grave supplier quality lifecycle for seamless production ramps.
• Lead resolution of complex manufacturing issues and mitigate risks with cross-functional leadership.
• Drive APQP/PPAP projects and optimize supplier quality KPIs.
• Present strategic recommendations to program leadership and drive cross-functional change.
• Lead with minimal supervision and manage high-pressure workloads.

Skills

6+ years supplier development

End-to-end procurement lifecycle

Battery cell experience

Executive-level influence

Problem solving & data analysis

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related technical field

Job description

Rivian Automotive in Irvine, CA is seeking a Lead Supplier Development, Industrialization & Quality Engineer to own the cradle-to-grave supplier quality lifecycle. You will drive complex issue resolution, mentor teams, and influence critical sourcing decisions to ensure smooth production ramps.

The role demands experience with automotive suppliers, APQP/PPAP, and cross-functional leadership, with 25–50% travel. A technical engineering degree and 6+ years in supplier development are required.