Vehicle Hardware Validation Engineer — Exteriors & Structures

Watershed Ventures; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Rivian is seeking a Vehicle Hardware Validation professional to own validation plans for Exteriors, working with CAE, DREs and vendors to ensure robust performance. You will define verification strategies, oversee test execution at Rivian and external labs, and help translate test results into actionable improvements.

The role focuses on durability, strength, and functionality tests for exterior and chassis systems, with hands-on lab support and ongoing standards development.

Qualifications

• DVP&RV validation plans and DFMEA-driven approach.

Responsibilities

• Own vehicle hardware validation plans.
• Develop and manage subsystem validation plans for Exteriors.
• Define verification strategies at system, subsystem and component levels.
• Collaborate with CAE and DREs to link physical validation to predictions.
• Lead vendor collaboration and on-site validation testing.
• Develop and revise Rivian Testing Standards (RTS).
• Provide hands‑on support at labs for tests and debugging.
• Document test results and ensure traceability to DVP items.

Skills

DVP&R

DFMEA-driven validation

DFMEA & validation planning

test fixtures & tooling

CAD design & review

Jira/Jama/Flow/Enovia

statistical methods

Microsoft Office & Google Workspace

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Mechanical Engineering

Advanced degree a plus

Tools

CAD

Jira

Jama

Flow

Enovia

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Job description

Rivian is seeking a Vehicle Hardware Validation professional to own validation plans for Exteriors, working with CAE, DREs and vendors to ensure robust performance. You will define verification strategies, oversee test execution at Rivian and external labs, and help translate test results into actionable improvements.

The role focuses on durability, strength, and functionality tests for exterior and chassis systems, with hands-on lab support and ongoing standards development.