Senior Engineer Supplier Development - Power Distribution

Rivian; Lansing (MI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Rivian seeks a Sr Engineer Supplier Development to ensure quality performance for Low Voltage power distribution and charging components. You will own APQP/PPAP, drive supplier readiness, and use robust problem-solving to mitigate risks.

The role requires collaboration with electrical hardware teams and global suppliers, with significant travel. Based onsite in Plymouth, MI, Normal, IL or Irvine, CA, you will guide cross-functional teams, manage KPIs, and elevate supplier manufacturing-readiness

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical field and a minimum of 3 years of relevant supplier development experience.
• Experience in managing electrical hardware commodities for automotive/industrial use.
• Knowledge of AIAG and VDA quality and product-development methods.
• Strong communication and conflict resolution skills.

Responsibilities

• Own the quality performance for Low voltage power distribution and charging components, maintaining CL3 status.
• Identify challenges and propose solutions to remove risks before production impact.
• Lead APQP/PPAP processes and ensure timely quality milestones.
• Act as technical owner for supplier industrialization and drive data-driven improvements.
• Travel domestically and internationally as required to coordinate with suppliers.

Skills

APQP/PPAP process

Data-driven decision making

Problem-solving (5-Why, Fishbone)

Supplier development

Manufacturing leadership

Quality management

Communication

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical field

Tools

Soldering

SMT

End-of-line testing

Crimping

Ultrasonic welding

Potting & sealing

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

The Rivian Supply Chain team is looking for highly motivated technical professionals to ensure the stability and performance of our global supply chain. As a Sr Engineer Supplier Development, you will serve as a key individual contributor responsible for the quality performance and continuous improvement of an assigned commodity or group of suppliers. You will work with moderate autonomy to ensure that supplier manufacturing capabilities meet design requirements and that quality expectations are strictly followed. In this role, you will drive results by proactively identifying challenges at the supplier level and proposing actionable solutions to remove risks before they impact production. You are expected to lead the APQP/PPAP process for your assigned area and maintain strong relationships with direct counterparts to resolve recurring issues. This role offers the opportunity to influence sourcing decisions through expert analysis and data-driven insights. This position is based onsite in Plymouth, MI, Normal, IL or Irvine, CA with a 70% domestic and 30% international travel requirement and reports to SDE Sr. Manager - LV Power Distribution & Charging.

Responsibilities

Supplier Management

Own the quality performance for a Low voltage power distribution and charging components, focusing on maintaining "Low-to-No Risk" (CL3) status. Directly oversee action plans for CL2 suppliers to prevent regression into higher-risk categories.

Problem-Solving and Risk Mitigation

Proactively identify challenges and propose specific solutions to remove risks before they impact production. Demonstrate proficiency in robust problem-solving tools (e.g., 5-Why, Fishbone, Is/Isn’t) to resolve recurring issues.

Technical Skills

Own and lead the APQP/PPAP process for assigned parts, ensuring suppliers meet all technical and documentation standards. Define clear expectations and monitor timelines with suppliers to ensure on-time delivery of quality milestones.

Organizational Influence & Outreach

Act as the technical owner for the industrialization of assigned suppliers and manage the final quality sign-off process. Use data-driven insights to directly influence the work of peers.

Direction

Operate with moderate autonomy to drive improvements and results within an assigned scope or commodity. Proactively identify challenges and use data-driven logic to propose solutions that remove risk.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical field and a minimum of 3 years of relevant supplier development experience.

Domain Expertise

Experience managing commodities and understanding the various factors of impact including economic and technology landscapes.

Commodity-Specific Experience

Lead supplier industrialization and manufacturing-readiness activities for Electrical Hardware commodities, including vehicle electronics, harnesses, power-distribution components, switches, charging hardware, and related assemblies. Collaborate with Electrical Hardware & Charging Engineering on design-for-manufacturing, design-for-assembly, tolerance, test, traceability, and process-control topics. Familiarity with AIAG and VDA quality and product-development methods. Experience with soldering, SMT, through-hole assembly, automated optical inspection, end-of-line testing, functional testing, crimping, ultrasonic welding, potting, sealing, or electrical test processes. Knowledge of electrical safety, EMC/EMI, ESD, functional safety, cybersecurity, and component traceability requirements.

Technical Skills

Advanced knowledge of manufacturing techniques and supplier performance ownership.

Communication

Strong distributor of information, capable of aligning larger working groups and defusing conflicts.

Execution

Measured by the effective management of KPIs and the number of quality risks successfully mitigated.

Operational Style

Responsible for identifying and managing personal priorities to ensure all area-specific milestones are met on time.

Travel Requirements

Regular domestic and international travel is a core part of this role, expected to average between