Staff Cost Engineer (Powertrain)

Rivian; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 137,000 - 188,000; Full time

Job summary

Rivian, dedicated to crafting emissions-free vehicles, is seeking a Staff Cost Engineer (Powertrain) responsible for developing accurate cost models. This pivotal role involves interfacing with suppliers and evaluating manufacturing processes to drive cost efficiency. Ideal candidates have extensive experience in engineering, manufacturing, and cost estimation, with a collaborative spirit and a passion for innovation.

Benefits

Robust medical, dental, and vision insurance

Coverage effective on day one

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7+ years of related experience.
• Experience in manufacturing processes for cost modeling.
• Practical knowledge of Value Analysis / Value Engineering techniques.

Responsibilities

• Develop should cost models and projections for vehicle commodities.
• Assume ownership of projects and identify potential risks.
• Interface with manufacturing plants to optimize costs.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Cost estimation

Interpersonal communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

CAD software (CATIA)

Digital cost modeling tools (aPriori)

Excel

Job description

Join to apply for the Staff Cost Engineer (Powertrain) role at Rivian

1 week ago Be among the first 25 applicants

Join to apply for the Staff Cost Engineer (Powertrain) role at Rivian

Get AI-powered advice on this job and more exclusive features.

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.

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 Staff Cost Engineer-Cost Engineering will play a pivotal role in the Rivian Cost Engineering organization, as a part of our team of Cost Engineers in the US. The role will be responsible for completion of cost models that accurately analyze costs associated with components across Rivian vehicles. Your expertise in cost estimation will be crucial in guiding our design and procurement, ensuring competitiveness in the market, and maintaining our commitment to providing high-quality products.

Responsibilities

Cost Engineering

• Provide guidance to the design requirements or design engineer for proposed new or modified designs to achieve required function like range, performance at target cost.
• Develop should cost models and projections for multiple vehicle commodities, specializing in Chassis components including Drive unit housing, Gears, Inverter, Mounts, Rotor, Stator, Halfshafts, Bearings, etc.
• Utilize information ranging from written assumptions, sample parts, CAD models and engineering drawings.
• Create welding line layouts to easily communicate the floor space, manpower, equipment, and assembly tooling requirements.
• Interface with manufacturing plants and suppliers to ensure most economical tooling, processing and operations that will contribute to profitable production.
• Support Rivian Procurement in analysis and review of supplier cost breakdowns to drive cost reduction opportunities through negotiations with suppliers.
• Mentor Rivian Procurement team members based on assembly and process cost expertise.
• Support competitive vehicle benchmarking to provide input for future model development and target costs.
• Perform Value Analysis / Value Engineering (VAVE) activities to generate cost reduction ideas through identification of process and product efficiencies that will reduce overall costs. Work with all stakeholders to support cost reduction targets.
  
  

Project Management

• Assume ownership of projects; plan milestones and identify potential risks to ensure timely delivery of cost models within agreed completion dates.
• Proactively manage task completion and regularly update cross-functional teams on project status, timing, resource allocation, challenges, and the likelihood of on-time, high-quality delivery.
  
  

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Supply Chain, Business Administration, or Finance.
• Minimum of 7+ years of related experience at an OEM, Tier 1 Manufacturer, Contract Manufacture, Consumer Electronics, or similar.
• Proven experience in manufacturing processes required for cost model development specializing in high pressure die castings, forging, machining, sheet metal stamping, powder coating, and welding.
• Proficiency in navigating CAD models in CATIA or similar software.
• Ability to interpret and understand design and manufacturing drawings.
• Practical knowledge of Value Analysis / Value Engineering (VAVE) techniques and a strong understanding of financial principles.
• Capability to independently create a Bill of Materials (BoM) for a given commodity or design and allocate costs.
• Entrepreneurial, ambitious, independent, detail-oriented, structured thinker, goal-oriented, flexible, and resilient—exhibiting qualities of a start-up personality.
• Collaborative team member, ensuring effective communication among colleagues, and providing regular contributions to meetings and briefings.
• Proficiency in strategic thinking and possessing detail-oriented work habits.
  
  

Desired

• Master’s degree (or higher) in Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Engineering Management or similar
• Solid knowledge of vehicle parts and subsystems and knowledge of part interaction.
• Proficiency in CATIA, or similar CAD based design programs.
• Proficiency in aPriori or similar digital cost modeling tools
• Proficiency in Excel and building cost models using process expertise.
  
  

Pay Disclosure

Salary Range/Hourly Rate for California Based Applicants: $137,800 - $187,100 (actual compensation will be determined based on experience, location, and other factors permitted by law).

Salary Range/Hourly Rate for Michigan Based Applicants: $125,800 - $157,200 (actual compensation will be determined based on experience, location, and other factors permitted by law).

Benefits Summary: Rivian provides robust medical/Rx, dental and vision insurance packages for full-time employees, their spouse or domestic partner, and children up to age 26. Coverage is effective on the first day of employment, and Rivian covers most of the premiums.

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, 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.

Please note that we are currently not accepting applications from third party application services.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Management and Manufacturing

• Industries

  Motor Vehicle Manufacturing

Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Rivian by 2x

Sign in to set job alerts for “Cost Engineer” roles.

Product Cost Engineer, Meta Reality Labs Product Operations

Sunnyvale, CA $167,000.00-$230,000.00 1 week ago

Sr Product Cost Engineer, Amazon Custom Modules

San Mateo, CA $100,000.00-$130,000.00 4 days ago

Newark, CA $100,000.00-$130,000.00 4 months ago

Milpitas, CA $70,000.00-$85,000.00 1 year ago

San Jose, CA $151,700.00-$218,300.00 2 weeks ago

Santa Clara, CA $95,000.00-$115,000.00 4 days ago

Santa Clara, CA $95,000.00-$130,000.00 19 hours ago

Project Engineer Associate - Entry Level

Mountain View, CA $130,000.00-$185,000.00 3 days ago

Sunnyvale, CA $88,000.00-$132,000.00 1 week ago

San Jose, CA $70,000.00-$100,000.00 1 month ago

Sunnyvale, CA $111,000.00-$164,000.00 2 weeks ago

San Jose, CA $95,913.00-$144,599.00 12 minutes ago

San Jose, CA $70,000.00-$105,000.00 6 days ago

We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.