Staff Mechanical Engineer - Closures/Latching Systems

Rivian; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 138,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

Rivian seeks a Staff Body Closures Handle and Latch Design & Release Engineer in California to own end-to-end design, development, and release of vehicle handle and latch mechanisms. You will manage supplier relationships, drive new technologies, and ensure DFMEA, PFMEA, and Control Plans compliance, balancing cost and weight while mentoring junior engineers.

The role requires hands-on CAD with Catia V6/Enovia PLM, strong first-principles physics knowledge, and collaboration across Body

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline (Master’s degree preferred).
• 7+ years (Preferred) of automotive engineering experience with a heavy focus on latching systems, Handles, and closures mechanisms.
• Deep understanding of 1st-principle physics-loads, kinematics, forces, and trade-offs between packaging, function, and manufacturing.
• Proven track record of managing Tier-1 supplier teams to deliver high-volume mechanism products on schedule.
• Hands-on CAD design experience for mechanisms, closures, or structural components (Catia V6 / Enovia PLM preferred).
• Proficiency in tolerance stackup analysis and component tolerancing across varied materials and manufacturing processes.
• Demonstrated capability in leveraging CAE data to drive design decisions and optimization.

Responsibilities

• Take full end-to-end ownership for design, development, release, and lifecycle management of vehicle handle and latching mechanisms.
• Drive the architecture and implementation of new handle and latch technologies that elevate the overall customer experience.
• Establish and maintain core engineering standards, technical specifications, design guidelines, and quality documentation (DFMEA, PFMEA, Control Plans).
• Develop noise and environmental factor management strategies, addressing water intrusion, freezing conditions, and latch sound quality.
• Serve as the technical approver for closure subsystem designs at key vehicle program milestones.
• Decompose vehicle-level functional requirements into sub-system and component-level specifications.
• Lead cross-functional integration with Body Engineering, Studio Design, Quality, and Customer Experience teams.
• Manage component delivery in Catia V6 and Enovia PLM, balancing strict cost, weight, packaging, and timing constraints.
• Direct supplier engagement, simulation analysis (CAE), prototype builds, tolerance stackups, and validation testing.
• Lead root-cause problem solving for complex field and manufacturing issues, embedding campaign prevention into future standards.
• Mentor and develop junior engineering team members.

Skills

Mechanical engineering knowledge

1st-principles physics

CAD design

Catia V6 / Enovia PLM

CAEs data interpretation

Supplier management

Cross-functional leadership

Education

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Catia V6

Enovia PLM

CAEs

Job description

About Rivian

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

As the Staff Body Closures Handle and Latch Design & Release Engineer, you will take full ownership of the end-to-end development, integration, and release of next-generation handle and latch mechanisms. Driving programs from early technology concepts through production and field support, you will manage complex supplier relationships, release critical components in Catia V6/Enovia PLM, and balance strict cost, weight, and timing constraints. This hands‑on role combines CAD design, first-principles physics, and multi-functional leadership to resolve complex technical issues, establish engineering standards (DFMEAs, test procedures), and mentor junior engineers across the team.

Responsibilities

• Take full end-to-end ownership for the design, development, release, and lifecycle management of vehicle handle and latching mechanisms.


• Drive the architecture and implementation of new handle and latch technologies that elevate the overall customer experience.


• Establish and maintain core engineering standards, technical specifications, design guidelines, and quality documentation (DFMEA, PFMEA, Control Plans).


• Develop noise and environmental factor management strategies, addressing water intrusion, freezing conditions, and latch sound quality.


• Serve as the technical approver for closure subsystem designs at key vehicle program milestones.


• Decompose vehicle‑level functional requirements into sub‑system and component‑level specifications.


• Lead cross‑functional integration with Body Engineering, Studio Design, Quality, and Customer Experience teams.


• Manage component delivery in Catia V6 and Enovia PLM, balancing strict cost, weight, packaging, and timing constraints.


• Direct supplier engagement, simulation analysis (CAE), prototype builds, tolerance stackups, and validation testing.


• Lead root‑cause problem solving for complex field and manufacturing issues, embedding campaign prevention into future standards


• Mentor and develop junior engineering team members.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline (Master’s degree preferred).


• 7+ years (Preferred) of automotive engineering experience with a heavy focus on latching systems, Handles, and closures mechanisms.


• Deep understanding of 1st-principle physics-loads, kinematics, forces, and trade‑offs between packaging, function, and manufacturing.


• Proven track record of managing Tier-1 supplier teams to deliver high‑volume mechanism products on schedule.


• Hands‑on CAD design experience for mechanisms, closures, or structural components (Catia V6 / Enovia PLM preferred).


• Proficiency in tolerance stackup analysis and component tolerancing across varied materials and manufacturing processes.


• Demonstrated capability in leveraging CAE data to drive design decisions and optimization.


• Strong cross‑functional leadership skills with the ability to self‑direct and resolve multi‑disciplinary issues under program pressure.


• Willingness to travel to supplier, manufacturing, and testing facilities as required.

Pay Disclosure

The salary range for this role is $137,800 - $175,000 for 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.

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 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.

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