Senior EV Motor Thermal Engineer: Direct Oil Cooling

Rivian

Carson (CA)

On-site

USD 137,800 - 172,200

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

Rivian in California is seeking a Staff Motor Thermal Engineer to lead the thermal architecture and cooling strategy for next-generation electric drive units. You will be the primary liaison for direct‑oil cooling systems, bridging rapid 0D/1D modeling with high‑fidelity 3D CFD, and validating models through testing to meet performance, reliability and efficiency targets.

The role requires expertise in GT-Suite, Simerics/Star-CCM+, Python or MATLAB for data processing, and a track record of

Qualifications

Education: BS/MS/PhD in Mechanical Eng, Thermal Sciences, or related field.
7+ years in EV powertrain lubrication and thermal management.
Expert-level GT-Suite for transient analysis.
Extensive experience in Simerics-MP+ or Star-CCM+, focusing on VOF or MPS methods for oil splashing.
Deep understanding of convective heat transfer in rotating machinery and dielectric oils.
Experience in multiphase flow or free-surface modeling.
Scripting in Python or MATLAB for post-processing and workflow automation.
Knowledge of automated optimization (HEEDS, ModeFRONTIER).
Experience in lab setup, data collection, and validating designs' performance.
Fundamental knowledge of electric machines, motor design, and manufacturing.

Responsibilities

Develop end-to-end lubrication & thermal models from 0D/1D to 3D CFD.
Lead design and optimization of direct oil motor cooling for end-windings.
Define lubrication and thermal requirements for motor, inverter, and transmission.
Design test plans for motor dyno and drive unit validation; correlate with simulations.
Collaborate to balance power density, efficiency, and thermal management.