Role Summary

The Automation Controls Engineer for Equipment Engineering are the production line experts for controls in the facility in Normal, IL. This is Heavy PLC programming role. The team troubleshoots any technical issues during production, sometimes working with engineers on any changes, upgrades or configurations that are needed for future production changes. This role would be located in the Battery department. This role is located at our Normal, IL facility and reports directly to the Manager, Automation Controls Engineering.

Responsibilities

• Participate in various controls equipment buy-offs at vendor sites and at Rivian's factory in Normal, IL for FAT, SAT, and safety.
• Participate in development of controls standards and specifications by feeding back lessons-learned and gaps from each project to ensure that future projects will run smoother.
• Continuously improve the production lines by reducing cycle time, reducing downtime, and improving quality.
• Maintain, modify, and properly version control equipment programs, configuration files, and documentation as changes are implemented. This includes but is not limited to hardware, electrical, safety, pneumatic, network, PLC, HMI, Robot, SCADA, and MES.
• Add or remove network devices from the equipment as needed, updating network switch configurations as needed.
• Troubleshoot, improve, and add features to PLCs using Ladder Logic and/or Structured Text with an emphasis on code that is organized, structured, documented, maintainable and reusable.
• Troubleshoot, improve, and add features to HMIs to make them more user-friendly, intuitive and suitable for operating and troubleshooting equipment.
• Implement and make modifications to MES logic for production and performance management in the PLCs and HMIs.
• Ensure proper implementation of and modifications to (ANSI/RIA15.06/OSHA compliant) control reliable safety systems for safeguarding robots, gantries, conveyors, and other high volume manufacturing equipment.
• Train Production and Maintenance teams in proper use of the equipment and troubleshooting from the HMI.

Qualifications

To be considered for this position, all internal candidates must submit an updated resume highlighting their relevant skills, experiences, and accomplishments. Applications submitted without an updated resume will not be considered. Please ensure that your resume accurately reflects your qualifications for this role.

• 3-5 years of Controls Engineering experience or equivalent work experience.
• BS/MS Electrical Engineering or equivalent work experience.
• Expertise with common controls hardware components used in high-volume manufacturing.
• Hands-on experience integrating and commissioning high volume manufacturing equipment.
• In-depth knowledge of Safety standards (ANSI/RIA15.06, OSHA).
• Experience participating in safety design reviews and validating equipment safeties during buy-off.
• In-depth knowledge of Electrical Standards (NFPA79, National Electric Code, UL508A).
• Experience developing electrical schematics using EPLAN, AutoCAD Electrical, or similar.
• Advanced proficiency programming industrial equipment using various IEC 61131-3 languages.
• Experience writing standard and safety PLC projects from scratch for high-volume manufacturing equipment using Rockwell, Siemens, or Beckhoff PLCs.
• Experience creating HMI projects from scratch for high-volume manufacturing equipment using FactoryTalk View, WinCC, Ignition, Wonderware, TwinCAT HMI, or similar.
• Experience programming and troubleshooting industrial 6-axis robots such as Fanuc, ABB, Kawasaki, etc. is preferred.
• Experience troubleshooting common fieldbus networks such as Ethernet/IP, EtherCAT, or Profinet.
• Knowledge of communications between machine PLCs and database systems
• Experience interfacing manufacturing equipment with Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES).

Pay Disclosure

The salary range for this role is $98,500 - $123,300 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.

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 March 23rd, 2026.