Sr. Aerothermal Development Engineer

Rivian; Tustin (CA); On-site; USD 122,000 - 152,000; Full time

Job summary

Rivian is seeking a Sr. Aerothermal Development Engineer to drive the thermal attributes process from target setting to vehicle-level sign-off. You will benchmark and analyze customer fleets, create test plans, and lead hardware/software development for HVAC and propulsion conditioning.

You will work with cross-functional teams to optimize thermal comfort, energy efficiency, and system response using data-driven methods and aerothermal simulations, with up to 30% travel for testing activities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Graduate Degree in Engineering (Mechanical/Aerospace) from an accredited university.
• 2-5 years’ automotive thermal system development, HVAC design, or electronics cooling with data analysis focus.
• Expertise in thermal instrumentation, data acquisition, and post-processing large datasets.
• Strong understanding of control systems and proposing/supporting control logic changes for thermal management.
• Knowledge of CAN, LIN, Ethernet and relevant debugging tools.
• Familiarity with automotive refrigerant/heat pump systems and EV HVAC.
• Foundational understanding of aerothermal simulation (CFD, thermal comfort) and data-driven problem solving.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and execution of thermal system development and validation testing, including travel to off-site locations for testing in extreme hot and cold conditions.
• Develop comprehensive test procedures that align with user stories and attribute requirements, ensuring high-quality and actionable test results.
• Specify, plan, and assist with vehicle instrumentation, ensuring data acquisition solutions meet required accuracy and robustness.
• Identify, document, and proactively address system design gaps and vehicle issues throughout all phases of testing and development based on empirical data.
• Support chamber and on road testing for HVAC and Propulsion Conditioning Attributes, contributing to both hardware and software development.
• Create and maintain detailed testing documentation, including test plans, verification procedures, and comprehensive test reports detailing analysis findings during development cycle and sign off procedure.
• Drive the development and refinement of control strategies for HVAC and thermal management systems based directly on test data analysis and identified performance gaps.
• Collaborate closely with HVAC control strategy lead & controls engineers to propose and implement logic changes that optimize thermal comfort, energy efficiency, and system response.
• Perform in-depth data analysis of complex test data from vehicle, subsystem, and component-level aerothermal tests (e.g., thermal comfort, system capacity, HVAC/propulsion conditioning performance).
• Present compelling analysis results to leadership and cross-functional teams, highlighting key findings, root causes, and recommended solutions.
• Utilize a foundational understanding of aerothermal simulation (CFD, thermal comfort) to correlate simulation results with physical data, and assist in diagnosing complex issues identified during testing.
• Participate in cross-functional teams (Studio, Thermal, Interior, Exterior, Controls) to develop and implement innovative and efficient HVAC and cooling strategies, with a strong emphasis on data-driven decisions.
• Manage opening and closure of engineering concerns and issues throughout the vehicle life, ensuring robust root cause analysis using test data.
• Travel: up to 30% (primarily for testing activities).

Skills

Data analysis

Test planning

Root-cause analysis

Autonomy

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Data visualization

Education

Bachelor's or Graduate Degree in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering

Tools

CAN

LIN

Ethernet

Debugging tools

CFD

Thermal simulation

Job description

About Us

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 Sr. Aerothermal Development Engineer supports the Thermal Attributes process from initial target setting to final vehicle level sign off. A high focus on benchmarking and customer fleet analysis is part of supporting the Attribute target definition. DVP creation, test planning, vehicle preparation as well as data analysis are part of the daily activities for this role. Support chamber and road trip testing for HVAC and Propulsion Conditioning Attributes as well and hardware/software development. Manage opening and closure of engineering concerns and issues throughout the vehicle life.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and execution of thermal system development and validation testing, including travel to off-site locations for testing in extreme hot and cold conditions.
• Develop comprehensive test procedures that align with user stories and attribute requirements, ensuring high-quality and actionable test results.
• Specify, plan, and assist with vehicle instrumentation, ensuring data acquisition solutions meet required accuracy and robustness.
• Identify, document, and proactively address system design gaps and vehicle issues throughout all phases of testing and development based on empirical data.
• Support chamber and on road testing for HVAC and Propulsion Conditioning Attributes, contributing to both hardware and software development.
• Create and maintain detailed testing documentation, including test plans, verification procedures, and comprehensive test reports detailing analysis findings during development cycle and sign off procedure.

Control Strategy Development, Data analysis & Simulation Support

• Drive the development and refinement of control strategies for HVAC and thermal management systems based directly on test data analysis and identified performance gaps.
• Collaborate closely with HVAC control strategy lead & controls engineers to propose and implement logic changes that optimize thermal comfort, energy efficiency, and system response.
• Perform in-depth data analysis of complex test data from vehicle, subsystem, and component-level aerothermal tests (e.g., thermal comfort, system capacity, HVAC/propulsion conditioning performance).
• Present compelling analysis results to leadership and cross-functional teams, highlighting key findings, root causes, and recommended solutions.
• Utilize a foundational understanding of aerothermal simulation (CFD, thermal comfort) to correlate simulation results with physical data, and assist in diagnosing complex issues identified during testing.
• Participate in cross-functional teams (Studio, Thermal, Interior, Exterior, Controls) to develop and implement innovative and efficient HVAC and cooling strategies, with a strong emphasis on data-driven decisions.
• Manage opening and closure of engineering concerns and issues throughout the vehicle life, ensuring robust root cause analysis using test data.

Qualifications

• ​Bachelor’s or Graduate Degree in Engineering (Mechanical/Aerospace) from an accredited University with a strong background in Thermodynamics, Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics, and Experimental Methods/Data Analysis.
• ​2-5 years’ experience in automotive thermal system development, HVAC design, or electronics cooling, with a demonstrated strong emphasis on physical testing and data analysis.
• ​Expertise in thermal instrumentation, data acquisition, and advanced post-processing techniques for large datasets.
• ​Proven experience analyzing complex thermal and HVAC performance data to identify trends, diagnose issues, and drive solutions.
• ​Strong understanding of control systems and experience proposing/supporting control logic changes for thermal management systems.
• ​Working knowledge of automotive communication protocols (CAN, LIN, Ethernet) and relevant debugging tools.
• ​Detailed understanding and experience with automotive refrigerant / heat pump systems is preferred.
• ​Knowledge of electric vehicle HVAC and Heating / Cooling systems is a strong plus.
• ​Background in calibration for HVAC and Propulsion Conditioning is a strong plus.
• ​Foundational understanding of aerothermal simulation principles (CFD, thermal comfort) and ability to interpret simulation results for correlation and diagnostic purposes.
• ​A proven track record of data-driven problem-solving and independent root cause analysis.
• ​Excellent communication, interpersonal, and teamwork skills, with the ability to clearly present complex technical information to diverse audiences.
• ​The proven ability to produce clean, organized, and timely documentation.
• ​Ability to work autonomously and lead individual efforts while performing as part of a cross‑functional team.
• ​Travel: up to 30% (primarily for testing activities).

Pay Disclosure

The salary range for this role is $121,500-151,900 for Southern 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 but not limited to paid vacation, paid sick leave, and a competitive portfolio of insurance benefits including 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. Full-time employee coverage is effective on their first day of employment. 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.

Company Statements

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].

Candidate Data Privacy and Technology

Rivian may collect, use and disclose your personal information or personal data (within the meaning of the applicable data protection laws) when you apply for employment and/or participate in our recruitment processes (“Candidate Personal Data”). This data includes contact, demographic, communications, educational, professional, employment, social media/website, network/device, recruiting system usage/interaction, security and preference information. Rivian may use your Candidate Personal Data for the purposes of (i) tracking interactions with our recruiting system; (ii) carrying out, analyzing and improving our application and recruitment process, including assessing you and your application and conducting employment, background and reference checks; (iii) establishing an employment relationship or entering into an employment contract with you; (iv) complying with our legal, regulatory and corporate governance obligations; (v) recordkeeping; (vi) ensuring network and information security and preventing fraud; and (vii) as otherwise required or permitted by applicable law.

Rivian may share your Candidate Personal Data with (i) internal personnel who have a need to know such information in order to perform their duties, including individuals on our People Team, Finance, Legal, and the team(s) with the position(s) for which you are applying; (ii) Rivian affiliates; and (iii) Rivian’s service providers, including providers of background checks, staffing services, and cloud services.

Rivian may transfer or store internationally your Candidate Personal Data, including to or in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the European Union and in the cloud, and this data may be subject to the laws and accessible to the courts, law enforcement and national security authorities of such jurisdictions.

How We Use AI in Our Hiring Process: To ensure transparency, we want candidates to know that Rivian uses iCIMS Talent Cloud Artificial Intelligence (TCAI) and AI-enabled tools to assist with screening, reviewing, organizing and highlighting profiles and applications that match the key requirements for each role.

AI does not make hiring decisions: Qualified candidate applications are reviewed by a member of our team, and all decisions throughout the process are made by humans. We use AI to support efficiency and consistency, not to replace human judgment. We are committed to a fair, thoughtful, and equitable experience for every candidate.

Participation in AI profile matching is entirely voluntary. If you prefer that your profile not be used in this process, you can opt out at any time. Opting out means your profile will be excluded from automated matching and will not be surfaced for additional roles through this system. Your current application remains active and will not be affected in any way.

Please note that we are currently not accepting applications from third party application services.