Validation Engineer - Vehicle Hardware

Rivian; Sacramento (CA); Presencial; USD 85 000 - 95 000; Tempo integral

Vantagens oferecidas por esta oferta de emprego

Paid vacation

Paid sick leave

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

401(k) Plan

Employee Stock Purchase Program

Resumo da oferta

Rivian is seeking a Vehicle Hardware Validation Engineer in California to own exterior, interior, closures, structures and chassis validation plans, aligned to DFMEA and validation requirements, and to define verification strategies at system, subsystem, and component levels.

You will partner with CAE and DREs, design data‑driven criteria, lead vendor collaboration, work with external labs, and continuously improve test methods, fixtures, and RTS documentation while maintaining traceability to

Qualificações

• Experience with environmental, durability, mechanical, and functional tests.
• DFMEA‑driven validation plan development and interpretation.

Responsabilidades

• Own vehicle hardware validation plans.
• Develop and manage subsystem validation plans for Exteriors across vehicle programs.
• Define verification strategies at system, subsystem, and component levels.
• Lead vendor collaboration and on‑site validation.
• Provide hands‑on support at labs for setup, shakedown, and complex tests.
• Troubleshoot issues and drive corrective actions.
• Maintain test documentation and data traceability.

Conhecimentos

Vehicle hardware validation

DFMEA‑driven validation

Statistical validation methods

Test fixtures and tooling design

Cross‑functional collaboration

Formação académica

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Mechanical Engineering

Ferramentas

CAD (Test fixtures)

Jira

Jama

Flow

Enovia

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Descrição da oferta de emprego

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

Rivian is on a mission to keep the world adventurous forever — through emissions‑free Electric Adventure Vehicles and a community of curious, courageous people who challenge what’s possible. You’ll join the Vehicle Hardware Validation team, partnering with Exterior and broader Vehicle Hardware Engineering to ensure our interior, closures, structures, and chassis systems perform robustly in the real world.

Responsibilities

• Own vehicle hardware validation plans
• Develop and manage comprehensive subsystem validation plans (DVPs) for Exteriors across specific vehicle programs, aligned to DFMEA and requirements.
• Define verification strategies at system, subsystem, and component level, including ED/DV/MV coverage and build‑phase alignment.
• Define clear, data‑driven criteria
• Partner with CAE and DREs to link physical validation to analytical predictions and regulatory/certification requirements.
• Continuously improve test methods and coverage
• Research and benchmark new industry validation methods; identify gaps in Rivian’s current portfolio and introduce new tests needed to achieve target vehicle performance for Exteriors and vehicle hardware.
• Develop and revise Rivian Testing Standards (RTS), capturing lessons learned from previous test programs.
• Lead vendor collaboration and on‑site execution
• Work closely with external test labs to quote, source, plan, and schedule validation testingto meet program budgets, maturity needs, and timing milestones (SVP/IVP/CVP/FVP).
• Provide hands‑on support at labs (Rivian and external) for setup, shakedown, debug, and first‑time or complex tests; ensure fixtures, tooling, and procedures are safe, robust, and compliant with RTS and RPS guidance.
• Troubleshoot issues and drive closure
• Assist in troubleshooting issues identified during validation (performance, durability, BSR/NVH, fit/finish, or safety concerns), working with DREs, CAE, reliability and suppliers to identify root cause, define corrective actions, and document outcomes.
• Use DFMEA, test data, and field/quality feedback to refine validation plans and requirements.
• Own test documentation and compliance
• Receive, catalog, and archive external test reports and Rivian test reports in accordance with record retention and data‑management policies; ensure traceability to DVP line items and parts/maturity.
• Develop tools, fixtures, and cost models
• Design or review validation‑specific tools and fixtures in CAD (e.g., durability rigs, impact fixtures, environmental setups) to ensure repeatable, representative loading and boundary conditions.
• Own and continuously improve the test cost estimator for vehicle hardware validation: generate cost estimates, challenge supplier quotes, and highlight trade‑offs between scope, timing, risk, and budget.
• Collaborate across teams
• Partner daily with Product Engineering (DREs), CAE, TPMs, supplier quality, lab technicians, and external partners to align on priorities, risks, and trade‑offs.

Qualifications

Education & experience

Bachelor’s or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field; advanced degree a plus.1-2+ years of experience in automotive (or closely related) requirements, validation, and/or mechanical system design, with significant exposure to strength, fatigue, and durability testing for structural and/or Exterior components.

Technical skills

• Deep familiarity with vehicle hardware validation (Exterior, Interior, Closures, Structures, and/or Chassis): environmental, durability, mechanical, and functional tests; BSR/NVH and craftsmanship a plus.
• Experience developing and interpreting DVP&R, test standards (OEM or industry), and DFMEA‑driven validation plans.
• Strong command of statistical methods for validation (sample size, reliability/confidence intervals, attribute vs. variable data).
• Practical experience designing, commissioning, or improving test fixtures and tooling using CAD.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace; comfort working in Jira and other lifecycle/requirements tools (e.g., Jama, Flow, Enovia) is a plus.

Soft skills

• Proven ability to self‑direct in a fast‑changing program environment, while keeping stakeholders aligned on priorities and risks.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to synthesize complex test results into clear recommendations for engineers, TPMs, and leadership.
• Collaborative mindset and a track record of building trust with design, validation, supplier, and lab partners.

Pay Disclosure

The salary range for this role is $85,400 - $94,900 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.

• Paid vacation
• Paid sick leave
• Life insurance
• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Short‑term disability insurance
• Long‑term disability insurance
• 401(k) Plan
• Employee Stock Purchase Program
• 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 .

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 (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.