Sr. Quality Engineer

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

Job summary

Rivian in Illinois seeks a Sr. Quality Engineer to lead response to customer quality issues, containment on the production line, and root-cause analyses to improve manufacturing quality.

You will own end-to-end complaint processes, coordinate cross-functional teams, and apply 5D/8D and other tools to ensure timely corrective actions while supporting EV production goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, Industrial, Mechatronics, or a related field).
• 4+ years of dedicated quality engineering experience, preferably within automotive or EV manufacturing.
• Production Operations Knowledge - Understanding of complex production lines and urgency of escalation, investigation and resources to operate with production control, material handling, supply chain, engineering, and production team.
• Proven, hands‑on experience managing customer complaints and driving containment actions in high-volume production environments.
• Strong working knowledge of core quality tools and standards, including APQP, PPAP, FMEA, SPC and 8D methodology.
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills with GD&T; Six Sigma Green.
• Excellent communication skills and a demonstrated ability to lead fast‑response teams effectively under pressure.
• Must be able to travel at least 20%.

Responsibilities

• Quality Loops Management: Own the end-to-end customer complaint process for EV manufacturing issues; contain defects and implement robust corrective actions.
• Rapid Response & Containment: React quickly to quality escalations, initiating containment on the shop floor to protect the customer.
• Problem Solving: Lead 5D/8D, Kaizen methodology; prepare customer-facing reports; close corrective actions.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Coordinate with Production, Engineering, and Supplier Quality to resolve urgent issues.
• Failure Analysis: Investigate failures using 5 Why, Fishbone, and Fault Tree Analysis.
• Process Audit: Conduct production line audits to verify containment effectiveness and prevent recurrence.
• Production Support: Provide real-time data analysis and quality feedback for EV production goals.
• Documentation: Update quality alerts, work instructions, and process documents.

Skills

APQP

PPAP

FMEA

8D

Six Sigma Green

JIRA

Root cause analysis

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

GD&T

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

We are seeking a proactive and driven Sr. Quality Engineer to join our rapidly expanding Electric Vehicle (EV) manufacturing team. This critical role is responsible for leading the immediate response to customer quality issues, driving rapid containment on the production line, and conducting thorough root-cause analyses to ensure customer satisfaction and enhance the quality of our manufacturing facilities.

Responsibilities

• Quality Loops Management: Own the end-to-end customer complaint process specifically for EV manufacturing issues (e.g., interiors, exteriors, LVE, chassis, HV). Identify and solve quality issues within our factory quality gates, ensuring defects are contained effectively and fixed with robust corrective actions.
• Rapid Response & Containment: React quickly to quality escalations, initiating and driving immediate containment actions on the shop floor to protect the customer.
• Problem Solving: Lead structured investigations (5D/8D, Kaizen methodology), prepare professional customer-facing reports, and ensure the timely implementation and closure of all corrective actions.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Coordinate and lead cross-functional teams, including Production, Engineering, and Supplier Quality, to quickly resolve urgent manufacturing and field quality issues.
• Failure Analysis: Investigate complex component failures using established problem-solving tools (e.g., 5 Why, Fishbone diagrams, Fault Tree Analysis).
• Process Audit: Conduct production line audits to verify the effectiveness of containment actions and prevent defect recurrence.
• Production Support: Provide real-time data analysis and quality feedback to support fast-paced EV production goals.
• Documentation: Update essential quality documents (quality alerts, work instructions, process documents) based on lessons learned from field and manufacturing issues.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, Industrial, Mechatronics, or a related field).
• 4+ years of dedicated quality engineering experience, preferably within automotive or EV manufacturing.
• Production Operations Knowledge - Understanding of complex production lines and urgency of escalation, investigation and resources to operate with production control, material handling, supply chain, engineering, and production team.
• Proven, hands‑on experience managing customer complaints and driving containment actions in high-volume production environments.
• Strong working knowledge of core quality tools and standards, including APQP, PPAP, FMEA, SPC and 8D methodology.
• Strong analytical and problem-sBelt is a Plus. Demonstrated experience with GD&T
• Solving skills (8D or similar method problem‑solving experience) ~ SIX SIGMA Green
• Excellent communication skills and a demonstrated ability to lead fast-response teams effectively under pressure. Demonstrated project management skills and high level summary for plant quality awareness. Use of JIRA is a Plus
• Must be able to travel at least 20%, travel may increase in time
• This position is subject to cover 1st / 2nd / 3rd shift if needed
• Must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, bilingual is a plus (English / Spanish)
• Team player - ability to work in a fast-paced, highly ambiguous, multi‑cultural environment with cross‑functional teams

Pay Disclosure

Salary Range for Illinois Based Applicants: The salary range for this position is $98,500 - $123,100 for Illinois 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 Summary: 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.

This job is not expected to be closed any sooner than October 1, 2026.

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 [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.