Lead, Vehicle Safety Testing & Validation

Rivian Automotive; Plymouth, Irvine (MI, CA); On-site; USD 199,000 - 249,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation

Paid sick leave

Insurance benefits

401(k) Plan

Job summary

Rivian is seeking a Senior Manager, Safety Test & Validation to lead the Vehicle Safety Engineering test and validation team. You will drive end-to-end testing strategies to meet global regulatory and consumer expectations, defining validation initiatives and overseeing DVP creation and execution.

You will also manage external labs, collaborate across engineering, program management, and homologation, and establish robust, documented standards for repeatable test execution.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or related field.
• Extensive experience in vehicle safety, crashworthiness, and global regulatory standards (FMVSS, UNECE, US NCAP, Euro NCAP, IIHS).
• Proven ability to lead high-performing teams and drive cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop Rivian’s Vehicle Safety Engineering test and validation team.
• Define comprehensive validation initiatives and oversee DVP creation and execution.
• Manage external test facility partnerships and cross-function collaboration with engineering, PM, and homologation.
• Establish internal standards, procedures, and knowledge transfer processes for repeatable validation.
• Identify risks early and mentor team members while managing external partners and contracts.

Skills

Vehicle safety

Crashworthiness

Global regulatory knowledge

CAe methodologies

Test planning

Program management

Cross-functional leadership

Stakeholder management

Risk assessment

Education

Bachelor's or Master’s in Mechanical/Automotive Engineering

Tools

CAE tools

Job description

Rivian is seeking a Senior Manager, Safety Test & Validation to lead the Vehicle Safety Engineering test and validation team. You will drive end-to-end testing strategies to meet global regulatory and consumer expectations, defining validation initiatives and overseeing DVP creation and execution.

You will also manage external labs, collaborate across engineering, program management, and homologation, and establish robust, documented standards for repeatable test execution.