Sr. Structural Safety Engineer (CAE)

Rivian; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 135,100 - 168,900; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual performance bonus

Equity awards

Comprehensive benefits package

401(k) Plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program

Job summary

A leading automotive company in Irvine is seeking a Senior Structural Safety Engineer to enhance vehicle safety performance. The role involves conducting advanced CAE simulations, evaluating structural integrity, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to improve designs. Candidates should have strong proficiency in structural analysis, particularly using LS-Dyna, and the ability to work independently on complex engineering challenges. Responsibilities include managing projects, validating designs, and analyzing results to drive innovation in vehicle safety engineering. Competitive compensation and benefits package offered.

Qualifications

• Ability to work independently on complex assignments while seeking guidance when necessary.
• Proactive in identifying and advocating for necessary process improvements.

Responsibilities

• Perform structural analysis using CAE tools to assess vehicle performance against safety regulations.
• Collaborate with design engineering to support structural designs.
• Develop and validate CAE models to enhance predictive accuracy.
• Analyze test and simulation results and communicate findings effectively.

Skills

Proficiency in structural analysis using CAE tools, particularly LS-Dyna

Strong understanding of automotive structural design principles

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

Effective communication skills

Ability to collaborate cross-functionally

Job description

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

The Senior Structural Safety Engineer (CAE) plays a critical role in supporting structural analysis and optimization to enhance vehicle safety performance. This position involves conducting advanced CAE simulations, evaluating structural integrity, and collaborating with cross‑functional teams to drive improvements in vehicle safety design. Operating with growing autonomy, the individual in this role applies domain expertise to solve complex engineering challenges, manages multiple deliverables, and actively contributes to improving CAE methodologies and processes.

Responsibilities

• Perform structural analysis using CAE tools to assess vehicle and component performance against FMVSS, IIHS, NCAP, and other international safety regulations.
• Support the refinement and validation of structural designs by collaborating with design engineering, and functional groups.
• Develop, validate, and improve CAE models to enhance predictive accuracy and support data‑driven decision‑making.
• Contribute to the development and execution of virtual, component, and vehicle‑level test plans in alignment with the Design Verification Plan (DVP).
• Analyze test and simulation results to identify structural design issues, provide recommendations, and communicate findings to relevant stakeholders.
• Independently manage assigned projects with multiple inputs and deliverables, ensuring timely completion and adherence to performance standards.
• Support the automation of CAE processes using scripting and programming to improve efficiency and analysis turnaround times.
• Provide technical insights to assist in instrumentation selection, pre‑test predictions, post‑test analysis, and CAE model correlation.
• Communicate progress, technical results, and areas for improvement effectively across teams while fostering collaboration and knowledge‑sharing.

Qualifications

• Proficiency in structural analysis using CAE tools, particularly LS‑Dyna.
• Strong understanding of automotive structural design principles, especially in structural safety applications.
• Ability to work independently on complex assignments while seeking guidance when necessary.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills to identify patterns and develop strategies for improving safety performance.
• Effective communication skills to present technical findings to both technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Proactive in identifying and advocating for necessary process improvements.
• Ability to collaborate cross‑functionally and engage in open discussions to resolve challenges and drive innovation in vehicle safety engineering.

Pay Disclosure

The salary range for this role is $135,100‑168,900 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.

You can apply for this role through careers.rivian.com (or through internal-careers-rivian.icims.com if you are a current employee). This job is not expected to be closed any sooner than March 27, 2026.

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

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,