Sr. Battery Cell Test Engineer

Rivian; Tustin (CA); On-site; USD 108,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation

Paid sick leave

401(k) plan

Employee Stock Purchase Program

Insurance benefits

Job summary

Rivian in California is seeking a battery cell test engineer to execute lithium‑ion cell tests (electrical, mechanical, electrochemical) and define SOPs for prioritizing tests.

You will write scripts, set up automated test programs, partner with data engineers to process data, analyze results, and deliver clear reports to cell engineers and scientists. This role offers a fast-paced environment and strong benefits in support of EV battery development.

Qualifications

• MS degree in engineering
• 3+ years of industry experience in battery cell testing, writing/validating test scripts, analyzing and presenting test results.
• Good understanding of cell performances metrics and how to evaluate them with testing and other analysis.
• Good understanding of electrochemical processes in various lithium-ion chemistries.
• Experience in python and SQL database, capable to write scripts.
• Excellent attention to detail and critical thinking.
• Problem solving skills, outside of the box thinking and proactivity.
• Desire to work in fast-paced environment and willing to make an extra effort to get the job done.
• Passionate about research/work in lithium-ion batteries, especially for EV application.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Execute lithium-ion battery cell tests including electrical, mechanical, and electrochemical testing.
• Define SOP, prioritize tests, track and communicate test status to different groups of cell engineers and scientists.
• Write test scripts and set up programs to run tests automatically with different cyclers and chambers.
• Collaborate with data engineers to process data, maintain cell testing databases and develop automated data post-processing and report generation scripts.
• Analyze and present test results to cell engineers and scientists and support cross functional teams with test reports if needed.
• Contribute to automating the entire testing process from test requests to delivery of test results report.
• Work closely with test engineers and technicians to plan and execute long/medium/short-term priorities.
• Develop and implement lab KPIs, using scripts, to analyze lab operation and improve productivity.
• Design test fixture to improve testing capability and accuracy and extract representative and meaningful data.
• Collaborate with equipment vendors to source and integrate external systems to Rivian cell testing lab.
• Maintain lab space and equipment, perform equipment calibration and troubleshooting as needed.

Skills

Battery testing

Test scripts

Data analysis

Presentation skills

Python

SQL

Attention to detail

Problem solving

Adaptability

EV batteries

Communication

Education

MS degree in engineering

Tools

Python

SQL

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.

Responsibilities

• Execute lithium-ion battery cell tests including electrical, mechanical, and electrochemical testing.
• Define SOP, prioritize tests, track and communicate test status to different groups of cell engineers and scientists.
• Write test scripts and set up programs to run tests automatically with different cyclers and chambers.
• Collaborate with data engineers to process data, maintain cell testing databases and develop automated data post-processing and report generation scripts.
• Analyze and present test results to cell engineers and scientists and support cross functional teams with test reports if needed.
• Contribute to automating the entire testing process from test requests to delivery of test results report.
• Work closely with test engineers and technicians to plan and execute long/medium/short-term priorities.
• Develop and implement lab KPIs, using scripts, to analyze lab operation and improve productivity.
• Design test fixture to improve testing capability and accuracy and extract representative and meaningful data.
• Collaborate with equipment vendors to source and integrate external systems to Rivian cell testing lab.
• Maintain lab space and equipment, perform equipment calibration and troubleshooting as needed.

Qualifications

• Must have:
  • MS degree in an engineering discipline with experience in testing of lithium-ion battery cells/packs.
  • 3+ years of industry experience in battery cell testing, writing/validating test scripts, analyzing and presenting test results.
  • Good understanding of cell performances metrics and how to evaluate them with testing and other analysis.
  • Good understanding of electrochemical processes in various lithium-ion chemistries.
  • Experience in python and SQL database, capable to write scripts.
  • Excellent attention to detail and critical thinking.
  • Problem solving skills, outside of the box thinking and proactivity.
  • Desire to work in fast-paced environment and willing to make an extra effort to get the job done.
  • Passionate about research/work in lithium-ion batteries, especially for EV application.
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Nice to have:
  • Familiar with cell teardown, CT scan and other lithium-ion battery analysis methodologies and tools.

Pay Disclosure

The salary range for this role is USD 107,800 - 134,800 for 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.

• paid vacation
• paid sick leave
• competitive portfolio of insurance benefits including life, medical, dental, vision, short-term disability insurance, and long-term disability insurance to eligible employees
• Rivian’s 401(k) Plan
• Employee Stock Purchase Program

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.

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) 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.