Role SummaryRivian is seeking a highly motivated and skilled Senior Process Engineer to optimize our manufacturing processes and uphold the highest standards of product quality. The ideal candidate will bridge the gap between process efficiency and quality assurance, driving continuous improvement initiatives and ensuring compliance with industry standards and internal specifications. This role is critical to maintaining high yields, reducing waste, and delivering reliable products to our customers.
The Senior Process Engineer position at Rivian will support our Drive Unit production and report to the Process Engineering Manager. This role requires a high level of technical ownership, particularly in the scaling and optimization of drive unit assembly.
Responsibilities- Coordinate engineering changes and new program launches
- Review, interpret, and summarize statistical data to drive process improvement
- Determine the 'Best Practice' process approach of material, tooling, equipment, and labor process
- Develop and maintain high-quality work instructions, standardized work, process flows, and PFMEAs to ensure manufacturing consistency
- Work with design engineering team to develop and establish a design that lends itself to high volume production while ensuring quality during the manufacturing process
- Work with manufacturing engineering team to commission and optimize next generation drive unit/propulsion assembly equipment
- Perform time analysis using a standard motion time system (MODAPTS), estimate production times, manage staffing requirements, manage labor costs, and drive line balancing
- Support production teams through process and equipment related troubleshooting and continuous improvement
- Develop recovery/troubleshooting best practices and procedures for production team to increase equipment availability
- Investigate assembly issues and implement solutions by reviewing product design, established processes, and equipment/tooling effectiveness
- Review, interpret, and summarize statistical data (SPC) to identify trends, reduce scrap, and drive measurable process improvements
- Monitor Quality KPI and develop action items to reduce cost with cross functional teams
Qualifications- Bachelor's/Masters degree in engineering discipline
- Prefer 3+ years engineering experience in a high-volume manufacturing operation, preferably automotive and/or drive unit/propulsion manufacturing
- Creative problem-solving skills
- Must have good communication skills - both verbal and written
- Hands-on experience with supporting production equipment (Mechanical, electrical, control systems, automation, robotics, etc.)
- Experience in using 2D & 3D Modeling tools (AutoCAD, CATIA/ENOVIA)
- Experience and/or Knowledge in DOE, Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerance, Torque Tooling, Error Proofing, and PFMEA
- Experience and/or certification in Six Sigma DMAIC, Lean Assembly Principles, Time Studies using MTM or MODAPTS
- Proficiency in SPC software (Minitab, JMP) for Cp/Cpk analysis
- Knowledge of SQL for data extraction is a strong plus
- Strong team orientation and cross functional attitude
- Kaizen, 5S, Six Sigma, Lean Six Sigma etc experience is a plus
- Availability to work 2nd/night shift
Preferred "Plus" Skills
- Direct experience with Stator and or Rotor manufacturing processes
- Experience in an EV-specific powertrain environment
Physical Requirements
- Ability to stand for 8-12 hours per day
- Required to walk, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl during equipment troubleshooting
- Ability to lift and carry at least 25 pounds
Pay DisclosureSalary Range for Illinois Based Applicants: The salary range for this position 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.
Benefits Summary: 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 4/27/2026.
