Sr. Staff Attributes Engineer

Rivian; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 196,000 - 245,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation

Comprehensive insurance benefits

401(k) Plan

Job summary

A leading electric vehicle manufacturer is seeking a Senior Staff Attributes Engineer in California. The role entails defining and delivering performance attributes over all phases of product development, conducting product research, and managing competitive benchmarking. With 10+ years in vehicle development and a degree in Mechanical Engineering, you'll collaborate with various teams to establish performance targets. This role involves regular cross-functional reviews and significant responsibilities, contributing to world-class vehicle performance.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in vehicle or subsystem development, including at least one full product lifecycle from concept through production.
• Proficiency with timing plan development and requirements management systems.
• Comprehensive understanding of functional vehicle systems and corresponding design principles.

Responsibilities

• Conduct product research to highlight industry trends and identify opportunities for future product differentiation.
• Collect and compile a comprehensive database of key benchmarking metrics within the competitive landscape.
• Host regular cross-functional design reviews to track status updates and resolve issues.

Skills

Problem-solving skills

Excellent communication

Organizational skills

Education

B.S. or higher in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent

Job description

About Rivian

Rivian is on a mission to keep the world adventurous forever. We build emissions‑free electric adventure vehicles and seek curious, courageous souls to help us achieve this goal.

As a company, we constantly challenge what’s possible, reframe old problems, seek new solutions, and operate comfortably in unknown areas. Our team is diverse, yet united by a love of the outdoors and a desire to protect it for future generations.

Role Summary

Senior Staff Attributes Engineer. This role is responsible for defining and delivering the performance attributes of a product or portfolio of products across all phases of the Rivian Development Process (RDP). Prior to program kickoff, you conduct product research, perform competitive benchmarking, and define initial performance targets. During series development, you host regular cross‑functional reviews to track status updates and resolve issues. During the validation phase, you co‑develop design validation plans (DVPs) and assign DVPs to test blocks on validation assets. Throughout all phases of development, you host regular key milestone status reviews with program leadership to report overall attribute health and cascade action plans. This position offers an opportunity to help define Rivian products’ overall performance envelopes while collaborating closely with key stakeholders across all subsystems.

Responsibilities

• Conduct product research to highlight industry trends and identify opportunities for future product differentiation.
• Collect and compile a comprehensive database of key benchmarking metrics within the competitive landscape.
• Collaborate with sub‑attribute and subsystem teams to develop product performance targets based on program initiatives and analysis from competitive benchmarking.
• Define and maintain performance targets and their corresponding statuses within the requirements management database.
• Reconcile performance constraints between competing sub‑attributes to balance overall vehicle performance aspirations.
• Host regular cross‑functional design reviews to track status updates, resolve issues, and arbitrate between sub‑attributes.
• Collaborate with individual attribute and subsystem teams to develop design validation plans (DVPs).
• Coordinate with the Test & Development (T&D) team to assign DVPs to test blocks on validation assets and track progress toward their completion.
• Host regular key milestone status reviews with program leadership to report overall attribute health and cascade action plans for any attribute performance deficiencies.
• Work hard, exceed expectations, challenge industry conventions, and relentlessly strive to create truly exceptional products.

Qualifications

• B.S. or higher in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent.
• 10+ years of experience in vehicle or subsystem development, including at least one full product lifecycle from concept through production.
• Proficiency with timing plan development and requirements management systems.
• Comprehensive understanding of functional vehicle systems and corresponding design principles.
• Working knowledge of automotive regulatory and certification requirements.
• Experience with full‑vehicle and/or vehicle subsystem validation testing.
• Strong problem‑solving skills with the ability to anticipate and address potential roadblocks in automotive development.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills, ensuring clear expectations and structured execution of vehicle performance initiatives.
• Working Hours: Standard (8 am – 5 pm).
• Travel Requirements: At least twice per quarter.

Pay Disclosure

The salary range for this role is $196,000‑245,000 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 an annual performance bonus and equity awards.

Benefits

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. This includes, but is 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. Eligible employees may also participate in Rivian’s 401(k) Plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program. Full‑time employee coverage is effective on their first day of employment; part‑time coverage is effective the first of the month following 90 days of employment.

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 that requires accommodations during the application and hiring process, please email us at [e-mail].