Sr. Mechanical Design & Release Engineer, Steering

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.

Join Rivian's Vehicle Hardware Engineering - Chassis - Product Development team as a key contributor in bringing our electric adventure vehicles to life. As an Engineer, you'll be instrumental in the product development of chassis steering hardware components such as steering columns, intermediate shafts, electric power assisted steering gears, and advanced mechatronic steering system hardware such as steer by wire, rear wheel steering and advanced ADAS steering technologies. You'll drive steering projects from concept through production release, overseeing pre-series builds, engineering validation, and final sign-off, ensuring our vehicles are ready for the road and beyond. This is a highly collaborative environment where your work directly shapes the future of Rivian.

• Responsible for clean sheet engineering design of steering mechatronic and hardware systems; power assist steering columns, steer-by-wire actuators, intermediate shafts + seals, electric power assisted steering racks & gear assemblies, steering tie-rods & fasteners, according to Rivian Internal standards, Rivian attribute requirements and market requirements into which Rivian vehicles are provided.
• Own engineering deliverables including, DFMEA, chassis integration, design validation plans and project management of steering component and system projects.
• Support design collaboration with Vehicle Architecture, Concept teams, Functional Safety, Vehicle Dynamics & Controls, Safety, Software and Electrical Hardware teams to develop robust engineering design solutions to functional challenges.
• Evaluate steering component designs / mounting strategies with CAE software and define validation procedures to ensure only optimized, integrated and robust designs are released.
• Utilize knowledge and experience gained from working within steering system development in conjunction with lean principles to enhance the steering technology portfolio offering for future vehicles at Rivian.
• Create and develop engineering specification packages that effectively communicate to internal and external partners to ensure products meet given project parameters
• Handle CAD 2D + 3D Engineering Releases and perform CAD assembly, packaging, measurement, surfacing GSD, drawings, virtual builds within CATIA 3DX environment
• Develop collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders, such as durability, vehicle dynamics & controls, software, electrical hardware, vehicle line, attributes, purchasing and suppliers, to deliver projects on time and to specification.
• Effectively balance multiple projects, responsibilities, and tasks simultaneously and travel as necessary to support testing, supplier visits & production engineering support

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering
• 5+ years of demonstrated hands-on design experience in chassis steering hardware and/or development at a steering supplier or OEM Chassis Department, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Demonstrable ability to interpret data and solve complex problems using first principles.
• Must have experience with Engineering tools such as CAD (CATIA V6 3DX), CAE FEA Software, DFMEA, Component and Sub-Assembly Validation DVP, Root Cause Analysis and Fastener Validation Tools.
• Able to leverage core principles of chassis design, component manufacturing, material selection, vehicle dynamics, NVH and electrical performance to contribute to overall vehicle performance objectives.
• Demonstrable understanding of steering system validation testing at component and vehicle level.
• Operates effectively in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment, capable of independently managing concurrent projects.
• Demonstrable ability to interact effectively and convey information clearly across various stakeholder groups.

Salary Range for California-Based Applicants: $107,800 - $134,800 (actual compensation will be determined based on experience, 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 premium.

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 [email protected] .

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.