Staff Network Engineer

Rivian Automotive; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 187,000; Full time

Job summary

Rivian is seeking a Staff Network Engineer to design, implement, and support secure, scalable enterprise and data center networks. The role emphasizes network security, firewalls, VPNs, segmentation, and reliable connectivity across a large environment.

You will work hands-on with senior engineers to build architecture, troubleshoot complex issues, contribute to observability, and mentor others while participating in 24x7 on-call rotations.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of network engineering experience designing, implementing, and supporting large scale enterprise/data center networks.
• Strong hands-on experience with next-generation firewalls (Palo Alto), security policies, NAT, segmentation, and high availability.
• Experience with zero-trust principles and VPN technologies (remote-access/site-to-site).
• Proficient in routing/switching: BGP, VXLAN, VRFs, DHCP/DNS, TCP/IP.
• Familiarity with DNS architecture and enterprise load balancing (F5).
• Cloud/hybrid connectivity and network automation (Python/Ansible/Terraform).
• Excellent documentation and cross-functional communication.

Responsibilities

• Drive and contribute to enterprise and data center network architecture and design initiatives.
• Design, implement, and support network security infrastructure including next‑gen firewalls, VPNs, segmentation, and high availability.
• Design and troubleshoot routing and switching solutions (BGP, VXLAN, VRFs) across multi-site environments.
• Support network services including DNS, F5 load balancing, SSL/TLS, and health monitoring.
• Collaborate on end‑to‑end network designs across cloud, data center, and wireless domains.
• Develop and maintain architecture diagrams, designs, standards, and operational docs.
• Provide day‑to‑day operational support and incident resolution.
• Lead RCA for complex incidents and drive corrective actions.
• Identify opportunities to improve reliability, security, observability, and automation.
• Explore AI-assisted tools and emerging tech to enhance network operations.
• Work with vendors and cross-functional teams to implement solutions.
• Mentor engineers and contribute to team architecture and troubleshooting.
• Participate in 24x7 on-call rotation for critical services.

Skills

10+ yrs exp

Palo Alto firewalls

Zero-trust security

BGP & VXLAN

F5 BIG-IP

DNS/DHCP

Cloud & hybrid networking

Python

Ansible/Terraform

Automation & IaC

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering/CS or equivalent

Tools

Palo Alto Networks

F5 BIG-IP

LogicMonitor

ThousandEyes

Ansible

Terraform

Python

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

We are seeking a Staff Network Engineer to design, implement, and support secure, scalable, and highly resilient enterprise and data center network infrastructure. This role will have a strong focus on network security technologies, including firewalls, VPN, network segmentation,
and secure connectivity, while driving and contributing to broader enterprise and data center network architecture and design initiatives.

You will be part of a hands‑on engineering team responsible for designing and operating critical network infrastructure across a large and complex environment. The ideal candidate will bring strong network architecture and design capabilities along with deep technical expertise across network security, routing and switching, DNS, load balancing, and enterprise networking.

This is a hands‑on technical role that combines architecture and design with implementation and operational support. You will collaborate with other senior engineers and cross‑functional teams to solve complex technical challenges, improve network reliability and security, and build scalable infrastructure to support continued business growth.

Responsibilities

• Drive and contribute to enterprise and data center network architecture and design initiatives, translating business and technical requirements into scalable, resilient, secure, and supportable solutions.
• Design, implement, and support network security infrastructure, including next‑generation firewalls, security policies, NAT, segmentation, remote‑access and site‑to‑site VPN, secure connectivity, and high availability.
• Design, implement, and troubleshoot routing and switching solutions, including BGP, VXLANs, VRFs, redundancy, and connectivity across enterprise and data center environments.
• Design and support critical network services including DNS and F5 load balancing, application traffic flows, SSL/TLS, health monitoring, and high availability.
• Contribute to enterprise, data center, cloud, and wireless network designs, collaborating with other engineers and technical teams on end‑to‑end solutions.
• Develop and maintain network architecture diagrams, detailed technical designs, standards, implementation plans, and operational documentation.
• Provide day‑to‑day operational support, including troubleshooting, incident resolution, change implementation, upgrades, maintenance, performance analysis, and lifecycle activities.
• Lead troubleshooting and root‑cause analysis for complex network and security incidents and drive corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
• Identify opportunities to improve network reliability, security, observability, automation, and operational efficiency.
• Explore and apply automation, AI‑assisted tools, and emerging technologies to improve network engineering, troubleshooting, operations, and documentation.
• Collaborate with cybersecurity, cloud, infrastructure, application, manufacturing, and other business teams to understand requirements and deliver effective technical solutions.
• Work with technology vendors, VARs, service providers, and professional services partners on solution design, implementations, technical evaluations, and escalations.
• Lead technical discussions and communicate design decisions, risks, dependencies, and tradeoffs effectively to technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
• Mentor engineers and contribute to improving the team’s architecture, design, troubleshooting, and engineering capabilities.
• Participate in a 24x7 on‑call rotation providing operational and escalation support for critical network services.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
• 10+ years of network engineering experience designing, implementing, and supporting large scale enterprise and/or data center network environments.
• Demonstrated experience architecting and designing network solutions and independently taking technical requirements from design through implementation.
• Strong hands‑on expertise with next‑generation firewalls, preferably Palo Alto Networks, including security policies, NAT, segmentation, high availability, and troubleshooting.
• Strong experience with Zero‑trust network security principles and VPN technologies, including remote‑access and site‑to‑site VPN.
• Strong knowledge of routing and switching technologies and protocols including BGP, STP, VXLANs, VRFs, DHCP/DNS, and TCP/IP.
• Experience with F5 BIG‑IP/LTM or comparable load‑balancing and application delivery technologies.
• Strong understanding of DNS architecture, operations, and troubleshooting.
• Experience with cloud and hybrid network connectivity.
• Working knowledge of enterprise wireless networking and wireless security.
• Strong troubleshooting and root‑cause analysis skills across complex network environments.
• Familiarity with network observability and monitoring platforms such as LogicMonitor, ThousandEyes or similar technologies.
• Experience with network automation and Infrastructure as Code using Python, Ansible, APIs, Terraform, or similar technologies.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with cross‑functional stakeholders and technology vendors.
• Strong documentation, communication, and interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate technical concepts, design decisions, and tradeoffs effectively.
• Demonstrated ability to independently drive technical work while collaborating effectively with other senior engineers and technical teams.
• Self‑motivated with strong analytical and problem‑solving skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.

Preferred

• Industry certifications such as CCNP, CCIE, PCNSE or equivalent.
• Experience leveraging AI‑assisted engineering tools or agentic workflows to improve network operations and engineering efficiency.
• Experience with SD‑WAN and other overlay or software‑defined networking technologies.
• Experience working in large, complex, distributed environments with high availability and reliability requirements.

Why Join Us?

• Work on large‑scale, mission‑critical network infrastructure across enterprise and data center environments.
• Solve complex architecture, security, reliability, and scalability challenges.
• Collaborate with experienced engineers and cross‑functional technology teams.
• Help shape and improve network engineering practices through architecture, automation, observability, and emerging technologies.
• Grow your technical leadership through high‑impact projects and exposure to complex infrastructure at scale.

Pay Disclosure

The salary range for this role is $149,700 - $187,100 for California based applicants and $123,400 - $154,200 for Illinois & Georgia 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. We 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) Riv