Role Summary

The Lead Continuous Improvement Partner will lead and execute the strategic development and deployment of the Rivian Production System (RPS) across corporate operations. This role is a key individual contributor who will drive a culture of operational excellence and ensure alignment between continuous improvement initiatives and overall business objectives. This role reports to the Sr. Manager of Continuous Improvement.

Responsibilities

As a leader, you will be expected to guide and empower your peers and cross-functional teams while also contributing to high-level strategy.

• Drive Cross-Functional Team Leadership: Lead and influence cross-functional teams (up to 4 members) on a project basis. You will be responsible for guiding these teams to successful outcomes
  without direct reporting authority, requiring strong skills in influence, collaboration, and mentorship.
• Strategic Planning and Deployment: Partner with senior leadership to develop a long-term strategy for the Rivian Production System. Translate business goals into actionable continuous improvement projects, and oversee the successful deployment of these initiatives across the factory.
• Drive Operational Excellence: Use Value Stream Mapping to analyze current processes and identify opportunities for waste reduction and efficiency gains. Champion a mindset of "go-to-gemba" (go to the real place) to ensure all improvement efforts are grounded in direct observation of the manufacturing floor.
• Coach and Mentor Leadership: Provide advanced coaching to manufacturing leaders and team members on complex problem-solving (e.g., using Six Sigma tools) and data-driven decision-making. Empower them to become self-sufficient in leading their own improvement efforts.
• Define and Manage Standards: Own the continuous improvement framework and collaborate with cross-functional teams to define, establish, and audit standards for processes and documentation that meet Rivian's needs.
• Cultivate a Culture of Improvement: Be a visible leader in promoting accountability and a continuous improvement culture across the organization. You will be responsible for ensuring your projects are not only effective but also sustainably adopted by the wider organization

Qualifications

• 6+ years of industry experience in a manufacturing operations or continuous improvement role, with a minimum of 3 years in a leadership or management position directly leading a team or major projects.
• A bachelor's degree is preferred in a technical field (e.g., Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain Management) or related discipline. A Master's degree is a plus.
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification is required. You must have a strong, demonstrable history of leading and completing complex Lean and Six Sigma projects.
• Proven ability to lead and influence without direct authority in a "team of teams" organizational structure. Experience in change management and a track record of driving cultural shifts is highly desirable.
• Must have a proven ability to solve ambiguous, cross-functional problems and develop a clear, executable plan. You should be able to think strategically about how to scale continuous improvement efforts across a growing organization.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively influence and collaborate with all levels of the organization, from the shop floor to executive leadership

Pay Disclosure

Salary Range for Illinois Based Applicants: The salary range for this position is $102,300 - $127,900 for Illinois 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.

Benefits Summary: 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.

You can apply for this role through careers.rivian.com (or through internal-careers-rivian.icims.com if you are a current employee). This job is not expected to be closed any sooner than 6/5/2026.