Role SummaryThe Senior Structural Safety Engineer (CAE) plays a critical role in supporting structural analysis and optimization to enhance vehicle safety performance. This position involves conducting advanced CAE simulations, evaluating structural integrity, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive improvements in vehicle safety design. Operating with growing autonomy, the individual in this role applies domain expertise to solve complex engineering challenges, manages multiple deliverables, and actively contributes to improving CAE methodologies and processes.
Responsibilities- Perform structural analysis using CAE tools to assess vehicle and component performance against FMVSS, IIHS, NCAP, and other international safety regulations.
- Support the refinement and validation of structural designs by collaborating with design engineering, and functional groups.
- Develop, validate, and improve CAE models to enhance predictive accuracy and support data-driven decision-making.
- Contribute to the development and execution of virtual, component, and vehicle-level test plans in alignment with the Design Verification Plan (DVP).
- Analyze test and simulation results to identify structural design issues, provide recommendations, and communicate findings to relevant stakeholders.
- Independently manage assigned projects with multiple inputs and deliverables, ensuring timely completion and adherence to performance standards.
- Support the automation of CAE processes using scripting and programming to improve efficiency and analysis turnaround times.
- Provide technical insights to assist in instrumentation selection, pre-test predictions, post-test analysis, and CAE model correlation.
- Communicate progress, technical results, and areas for improvement effectively across teams while fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing.
Qualifications- Proficiency in structural analysis using CAE tools, particularly LS-Dyna.
- Strong understanding of automotive structural design principles, especially in structural safety applications.
- Ability to work independently on complex assignments while seeking guidance when necessary.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to identify patterns and develop strategies for improving safety performance.
- Effective communication skills to present technical findings to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Proactive in identifying and advocating for necessary process improvements.
- Ability to collaborate cross-functionally and engage in open discussions to resolve challenges and drive innovation in vehicle safety engineering.
Pay DisclosureThe salary range for this role is $135,100-168,900 for Southern 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.
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 27, 2026.
