Role Summary

We are seeking an experienced and technically-driven Sr. Manufacturing Engineer with a strong background in joining applications to lead the execution of joining system integration & optimization across new & existing platforms. End to end ownership is a key pillar of this role - you will find yourself driving design for manufacturability discussions & hardware validations early in a program's life and, as the program progresses, will find yourself leading execution & handover activities of all joining systems to plant operations teams. You will work cross-functionally with our Body, Dimensional, Robotics, Controls, Operations & Design teams to ensure throughput & quality milestones are achieved, while exploring new ways to continuously improve our different joining processes within our manufacturing environments. This role is located at our Normal, IL or East Atlanta, GA facility and reports directly to a Manager within the Bodyshop Manufacturing Engineering organization.

Responsibilities

• Be responsible for joining systems implementation and joining processes improvement throughout project lifecycles.
• Partner with production operations engineers and leaders to ensure successful ramp and long term production.
• Lead and assist production in all quality and process related weld topics and issues.
• Lead and implement weld control plans and requirements.
• Perform continuous joining process optimization in the existing & future production environments.
• Collaborate with equipment vendors, robotics, controls, product engineers & materials engineers to develop & deploy new joining technologies to our manufacturing environments.
• Evaluate joint designs on both new and existing platforms. Collaborate with design engineering to communicate findings and ensure optimal product manufacturability without sacrificing performance or functionality.
• Provide experience & testing based insights to refine execution guidelines & joining process standards.
• Be part of a world-class engineering team, with a focus on high quality work and rapid project deployment.
• Challenge assumptions that are not backed up by a thorough engineering evaluation.
• Collaborate with IT and Controls teams to validate data flow from the shop floor to enterprise software, ensuring the precision of serialized quality documentation for all joining processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or similar technical field.
• 5+ years of experience in engineering roles.
• 5+ years in process monitoring and optimization of welding and joining processes.
• Deep understanding of joinability of steel & aluminum.
• Extensive experience with at least two of the following joining processes: spot welding, self-pierce riveting, flow drill screwing, roller hemming, automated torquing (bolt or nut runners), automated dispense.
• Experience with joining quality monitoring vision systems
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
• Experienced in working within 2D & 3D CAD environments.
• Knowledgeable in high and low volume manufacturing skills (Cycle time, PFMEA, quality control, efficiency, equipment selection, return on investment, etc.).
• Demonstrate ability to solve complex technical problems and see the solution implemented to a high level of accuracy & quality.
• Ability to follow general guidance on deliverables and self-guided to develop a path to completion.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and vendors.
• Travel as required to other Rivian engineering and production centers as well as project related partner sites.

Pay Disclosure

The salary range for this role is $98,500-$123,000 for Illinois and Georgia 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 7/1/2026.

Please note that we are currently not accepting applications from third party application services.