Role Summary

Join Rivian's Vehicle Hardware Engineering - Chassis - Product Development team as a key contributor in bringing our electric adventure vehicles to life.

As a Senior Mechanical Design & Release Engineer, you'll be instrumental in the product development of chassis steering hardware components - from steering columns, intermediate shafts, and electric power-assisted steering gears to next-generation mechatronic systems including steer-by-wire, rear-wheel steering, and advanced ADAS steering technologies that are redefining how vehicles interact with the road.

You'll drive steering projects from concept through production release, overseeing pre-series builds, engineering validation, and final sign-off - ensuring our vehicles deliver a confident, connected driving experience on every surface, in every condition.

You'll join a highly collaborative team where your ideas, engineering judgment, and first-principles thinking directly shape what Rivian builds next.

Responsibilities

• Own clean-sheet engineering design of steering mechatronic and hardware systems - from power-assist columns and steer-by-wire actuators to EPAS gears, intermediate shafts, tie-rods, and fasteners - challenging conventional approaches to deliver solutions that meet Rivian standards, attribute targets, and global market requirements.

• Own engineering deliverables including DFMEA, chassis integration, design validation plans, and project management of steering component and system projects - ensuring rigor and traceability from early concept through production sign-off.

• Partner across Vehicle Architecture, Concept, Functional Safety, Vehicle Dynamics & Controls, Safety, Software, and Electrical Hardware teams - bringing a systems-level perspective to co-develop robust engineering solutions to complex functional challenges.

• Evaluate steering component designs and mounting strategies with CAE software, and define validation procedures to ensure only optimized, integrated, and robust designs are released.

• Apply first-principles reasoning to question legacy design assumptions, evaluate trade-offs in cost, mass, and performance, and propose solutions that push the boundaries of what steering systems can deliver.

• Leverage knowledge and experience gained from steering system development, combined with lean principles, to enhance Rivian's steering technology portfolio and roadmap for future vehicles.

• Create and develop engineering specification packages that effectively communicate design intent to internal and external partners, ensuring products meet project parameters and functional requirements.

• Execute CAD 2D and 3D engineering releases - including assembly, packaging, measurement, surfacing (GSD), drawings, and virtual builds - within the CATIA 3DX environment, ensuring design intent is maintained through release.

• Build and nurture collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders - including durability, vehicle dynamics & controls, software, electrical hardware, vehicle line, attributes, purchasing, and suppliers - to deliver projects on time and to specification.

• Keep the driver's experience at the center of every design decision - from steering feel on a mountain switchback to precision on a highway, your work defines how our customers connect with their adventure.

• Effectively balance multiple projects, responsibilities, and tasks simultaneously, and travel as necessary to support testing, supplier visits, and production engineering support.

Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree in Mechanical Engineering (or a related discipline)
• Preferred: 5+ Years of experience in Chassis steering hardware and/or development at a steering supplier or OEM Chassis Department, or equivalent relevant experience
• Time spent in a relevant Master's Degree program may count towards work experience

• Proven ability to break down complex problems from first principles, using data and engineering fundamentals to drive design decisions - not just following precedent.

• 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 both component and vehicle level.

• Thrive in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment - comfortable navigating ambiguity, independently managing concurrent projects, and collaborating across disciplines to deliver results.

• Communicate complex engineering concepts clearly and persuasively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders - from suppliers to cross-functional leadership.

Preferred:

• Experience with steer-by-wire systems, rear-wheel steering, or advanced ADAS-related steering technologies.

• Familiarity with functional safety standards (ISO 26262) as they relate to steering system design.

• Experience with global homologation requirements for steering systems across multiple markets.

• Hands-on prototype build support and physical validation experience.

• Experience managing international supplier relationships and development programs.

If you're driven by curiosity, energized by solving hard problems from the ground up, and passionate about building vehicles that inspire adventure - we want to hear from you.

Pay Disclosure

The salary range for this role is $107,800 - $134,800 for 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.