Role SummaryThe Rivian Supply Chain team is looking for a highly motivated and accomplished Supply Chain Engineering professional to bring Rivian's engineered products to life. In this role, the Staff Engineer will be responsible for leading the design of material handling & kitting systems, automation, and other lean equipment to improve flow. Cross-functionally works with the internal stakeholders during the design, testing, installation, and start-up phases of equipment. Designs equipment that meets established safety, production, and quality levels. This role reports to the Senior Manager of Equipment Design Engineering onsite in Normal, IL.
Responsibilities- Leads the development of mechanical and electromechanical products by studying the process requirements and researching lean material handling methods.
- Assures system and product quality by designing testing methods to verify finished product and system capabilities.
- Analyzes and reviews CPU/OEE and looks for improvement opportunities in equipment design using kaizen activities to reduce cost and improve uptime.
- Reports equipment design progress and project planning through a weekly report or dashboard.
- Interfaces and communicates with internal departments to ensure material handling equipment production targets are being met and provides countermeasures for quality/downtime concerns.
- Provides direction for the fabrication of all material handling equipment.
- Coaches and mentors engineering team regarding the design of lean material handling equipment
- Ability to comprehend and guide teams on writing engineering specifications
- Collaborates with external equipment vendors
- Promotes a safe work environment and maintains an atmosphere of trust and positive morale for team and partners.
- Responsible for ensuring safety, quality, cost, timing & throughput targets are achieved on all projects.
- Works closely with maintenance on all equipment designs and provides proper documentation, drawings, and buy off.
- Provides FMEA documentation and cross-functionally works to lower the RPN to an acceptable level before implementation.
- Builds yearly capital and operational budgets.
Qualifications- 3+ years of experience in designing material handling equipment and automation.
- Experience facilitating the leadership of projects with cross-functional teams
- Direct experience working alongside a team of fabricators
- BA in Mechanical or Mechatronics Engineering or equivalent work experience.
- Requires design skills of material handling equipment, conceptual skills, standard engineering concepts, and equipment maintenance.
- Experience in lean material flow equipment solutions and knowledge of how to utilize equipment design to complement or enhance process.
- Experience designing kitting systems, roll-off or mother/daughter dollies, minomi, and AGV systems.
- Experience with electric/pneumatic drives, including chains, pulleys, bearings, and castor.
- Experience with gravity and karakuri systems.
- Working knowledge of Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook programs.
- AutoCAD, 3D CAD or Solidworks (similar) experience.
- Knowledge of VBA, PLC programming, and Ladder Logic.
- Strong analytical skills and ability to communicate effectively.
- Ability to prioritize tasks and responsibilities.
- Strong team orientation and cross functional attitude.
- Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.
- Ability to communicate in a high-pressure environment.
Pay DisclosureThe salary range for this role is $98,500 - $123,100 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 June 23rd, 2026.