Role Summary
Rivian is looking for a Senior Vehicle Dynamics Engineer to join our Southern Californiabased team. In this role, you won't just be a passenger in the development process, you'll be the one shaping how our vehicles interact with the road (and the dirt). You will help bridge the gap between traditional mechanical hardware tuning and the software defined
architectures with active chassis controls. Your mission is to deliver the "Rivian DNA" driving experience.
Responsibilities
1. Passive Hardware Tuning
You are the architect of the vehicle's mechanical foundation. You will lead the development
and testing for:
• Chassis Hardware: Tuning and optimizing springs, anti-roll bars, and bushings.
• Damper Tuning: Optimizing valve codes for passive damping to ensure a robust
baseline.
• Tire Development: Evaluate tire submissions and guide the development process
to achieve the full vehicle attribute targets.
2. Active Systems Calibration
You will be responsible for calibrating the software logic that controls:
• Active Damping: Semi-active or fully active hydraulic control strategies.
• Air Suspension: Manage the ride heights and load leveling calibrations.
• Electronic Power Steering (EPS): Tuning steering feel and effort build.
3. Testing & Evaluation
Travel on-site to support the various test locations utilized:
• Subjective Evaluations: Conduct ride comfort, limit handling, and off-road
capability assessments. You must be able to translate a "feel" into actionable
engineering direction.
• Objective Testing: Instrument vehicles and analyze data (VBox, Dewesoft, MATLAB)
to validate performance against internal metrics.
4. Virtual Integration
Work closely with the Multi-Body Dynamics (MBD) Simulation team:
• Sim Synergy: Provide real-world subjective to objective correlation data to refine
their models and use their virtual tuning results to hit the ground running during
physical testing
Qualifications
• Education: Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering,
or a related field.
• Experience: 3-5 years of automotive experience in vehicle dynamics or chassis
development.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in data acquisition tools (CANape, Dewesoft, or
similar).
o Familiarity with simulation software (CarSim, CarMaker, or ADAMS) is a plus.
• Mindset: You thrive in the gray area where subjective meets objective. You are
comfortable with rapid iteration and possess a deep passion for automotive tech.
Pay Disclosure
The salary range for this role is $121,500-151,900 for Southern 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.
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.
