Sr. Manufacturing Engineer - Drive Unit (Stator/Rotor)

Watershed Ventures; Normal (IL); On-site; USD 99,000 - 123,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation

Health insurance

401(k) plan and Employee StockPurchase

Competitive benefits package

Job summary

Rivian is seeking a Sr. Manufacturing Engineer – Drive Unit (Stator/Rotor) to design and implement rotor manufacturing processes at Rivian's Normal, IL facility, with planned expansion to East Atlanta, GA. The role reports to the Sr Manager, Manufacturing Engineering.

You will lead the development of new manufacturing lines, guide DFM feedback, coordinate cross-functional teams, and drive supplier development and equipment sourcing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's/Master's/PhD in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering.
• Experience with magnet feeding and insertion; rotor balancing systems preferred.
• Drive unit, e‑axle, and transmission manufacturing experience a plus.
• Willingness to travel up to 25%.

Responsibilities

• Join the team developing and commissioning next-gen drive unit manufacturing lines.
• Lead rotor assembly line equipment engineering from concept to production.
• Collaborate with ME and Plant teams to coordinate projects.
• Validate supplier capabilities and develop material specifications for manufacturability.
• Support projects through Design, FAT and SAT.
• Ensure adherence to standards, policies, and codes.
• Mentor engineers and foster growth.
• Develop equipment and process specs; assess vendor capabilities.
• Provide DFM feedback to Product Engineering for cost-effective assembly.
• Lead R&D for new manufacturing technologies.
• Lead feasibility studies for manufacturing strategies.
• Bridge cross-functional expectations and drive stakeholder engagement.
• Provide technical support to Operations including training and troubleshooting.
• Identify and drive corrective actions for process quality.

Skills

Rotor balancing

Magnet feeding

Drive unit manufacturing

APQP

GD&T

CAD

Education

Mechanical Engineering degree

Tools

AutoCAD

SolidWorks

CATIA

Job description

About Rivian

About Rivian Rivian is 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

As the Sr. Manufacturing Engineer – Drive Unit, (Stator/Rotor), you will design and implement all rotor manufacturing processes and equipment at Rivian's Drive Unit shop. In this role, you will lead the development of new manufacturing line infrastructure, guide best manufacturing practices for product design, own new process development and equipment design/implementation at our Normal, IL facility, and own the planning and launch of a new greenfield facility in East Atlanta, GA. The role is located at our Normal, IL/Atlanta, GA or Plymouth, MI facility and will report directly to the Sr Manager, Manufacturing Engineering.

Responsibilities

• Join the team developing and commissioning the next-generation drive unit manufacturing lines for Rivian!
• Lead and manage rotor assembly line equipment engineering from initial concepting through full-scale production and handover
• Collaborate within ME and Plant cross-functional teams to ensure seamless coordination and execution of projects.
• Work with Product Development and Supplier development teams to validate supplier capabilities and help develop supplied material specifications for manufacturability
• Support project production line project through Design, FAT and SAT
• Responsible for successful project execution measured in terms of cost, safety, performance and delivery schedule
• Ensure equipment and process compliance with applicable standards, policies, acts, regulations and codes
• Directly lead and mentor engineers; foster an environment where individuals flourish
• Develop equipment and process specifications, assess vendor capabilities and lead supplier sourcing efforts based on data
• Provide in-depth design for manufacturing (DFM) feedback to the Product Engineering team to ensure that assembly processes are cost-efficient, robust and high-quality – GD&T alignment for fabrication, metrology and assembly
• Lead research and development activities for new manufacturing technologies that address existing assembly and automation challenges
• Lead feasibility studies to aid validation of manufacturing strategies
• Partner with and manage expectations between cross functional teams to ensure stakeholder engagement and satisfaction with the engineering solutions delivered
• Provide technical expertise and support to enable the Operations team to succeed including training, documentation and trouble-shooting
• Identify and drive corrective actions for process quality and performance issues

This position requires up to 25% travel.

Qualifications

• Bachelors/Masters/PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering, or similar technical field – preferred, or equivalent work experience
• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering
• Experience with magnet feeding and insertion, rotor balancing systems preferred; drive unit, e-axle, and transmission manufacturing engineering experience a plus

Preferred Qualifications

• Deep experience in manufacturing engineering and production challenges – demonstrated ability to scope, design, commission and hand over manufacturing lines to sustaining groups
• Knowledgeable in high and low volume manufacturing (APQP, prototyping, GD&T, OEE, equipment and supplier selection, DFM, 8D, process capability, CAD and PLM systems)
• Proficient in complex electro-mechanical system design, drive unit in particular
• Proficient in process characterization and validation using statistical tools
• Experience creating technical specifications for automated manufacturing equipment
• Experience creating process documentation
• Experience transitioning automated systems from prototype to production
• Experience with 2D &3D software (AutoCAD, Solidworks, and Catia)
• Ability to travel both domestically and internationally as required
• Knowledgeable in high and low volume manufacturing (APQP, prototyping, GD&T, OEE, equipment and supplier selection, DFM, 8D, process capability, CAD and PLM systems)
• Critical problem-solving skills: ability to ask the right people, the right questions at the right time in the right way
• Detail-oriented: ability to be subject matter expert in order to make informed decisions for a variety of cross-functional teams, particularly product engineering
• Curiosity: demonstrate level of interest that enables inventiveness
• Structured: able to organize through methodical framework and documentation to achieve goals harmoniously
• Capable of leading a team across several cross functional disciplines, including product design, quality, construction, production, supply chain, controls, external vendors etc.

Pay Disclosure

The salary range for this role is $98,500-$123,000 for Illinois, Michigan or Georgia 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.

Benefits

• 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.
• 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.

Equal Opportunity

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].