Role Summary

The Test Resource Manager serves as the strategic operational hub for Powertrain Testing, architecting the flow of lab activity from demand intake to final output. This role focuses on maximizing lab throughput across multiple sites by balancing competing program priorities and optimizing the utilization of test resources. Additionally, it involves driving the tools and systems necessary to support a high-performance operation. In addition to overseeing execution planning, the Test Resource Manager serves as a primary advisor to engineering leadership, converting technical roadmaps into facility demand plans and promoting operational advancements.

Responsibilities

Operational Strategy, Demand Intake & Capacity Modeling
• Manage Demand Intake: Lead the end-to-end intake, review, and prioritization of test requests, ensuring scope, technical requirements, and project timing are clearly defined before scheduling across multiple sites.
• Champion Scheduling & Asset Optimization: Collaborate with site leads to identify execution limitations and refine the master schedule, ensuring all deliverables meet high-quality standards with maximum operational velocity to support demanding development milestones.
• Execute Capacity Modeling: Perform scenario-based capacity modeling to provide leadership with data-driven trade-offs between conflicting test programs; proactively forecast bottlenecks and offer actionable recommendations.
• Long-Term Demand Forecasting: Create long-term facility utilization forecasts to align lab capabilities, equipment, and infrastructure with future testing demands, technology roadmaps, and program requirements.
• Expand Lab Impact: Cultivate a robust demand pipeline by partnering with diverse teams, leveraging Powertrain lab assets to maximize technical impact across the broader organization.

Master Scheduling & Test Readiness
• Master Schedule Ownership: Own, develop, and communicate the master lab schedule, optimizing test resource usage while balancing program urgency, hardware availability, lab team capacity, and stakeholder priorities.
• Ensure Pre-Test Readiness: Coordinate with the wider testing team to secure interface hardware ahead of schedule, ensuring parts such as fixtures, coolant setups, adapters, wiring, and halfshafts are available before the test article arrives.
• Dynamic Operational Agility: Act as the primary operational point of contact for all new Powertrain test facility requests, applying sound judgment to react quickly to unplanned changes in test demand, capacity, or hardware availability.

Lab Management Systems, Tools & Analytics
• Product Ownership of Lab Systems: Act as the business owner for lab management systems, translating operational pain points into technical requirements for tools, dashboards, and reporting methods.
• Develop Performance Tools: Build proactive data-driven tools to analyze upcoming schedules, track test cell operating status, monitor KPIs, and identify bottlenecks early.
• Operational Analytics & Reporting: Monitor and communicate progress against testing KPIs, generate recurring monthly operational analytics and performance reports for leadership deep-dives, and provide accurate lead-time forecasts.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Method Innovation
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Sync regularly across Drive Unit, Motor, Gearbox, Vehicle, and Thermal Systems teams to align lab execution with overarching program timelines.
• Methodology & Fixture Advisory: Partner closely with engineers, validation leads, and technical experts to define test plans, fixture needs, and methodology improvements as new technologies arise.
• Drive Continuous Improvement: Use retrospective operational data to uncover and capture continuous improvement opportunities that enhance data visibility and testing efficiency, supporting lessons learned initiatives.

Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical field, or equivalent hands-on experience in powertrain testing, lab operations, or test resource planning.
• Strong experience working in test cells, dynamometer environments, or other complex automotive test facilities.
• Experience planning and coordinating laboratory testing activities across multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
• Familiarity with electrified powertrain systems, including motors, inverters, gearboxes, propulsion systems, and thermal support systems.
• Working knowledge of instrumentation, test setup, error-proofing, and mechanical integration required to support robust testing.
• Experience with EHS requirements in lab environments, including risk assessments and safe system-of-work practices.
• Strong organizational skills, sound judgment, and the ability to react quickly to unplanned changes in test demand, capacity, or hardware availability.
• Strong communication and stakeholder-management skills, with the ability to work effectively across engineering, validation, and operations teams.
• Experience building or improving scheduling, tracking, reporting, or data-analysis tools is preferred.

Pay Disclosure

Salary Range Tustin-Based Applicants: $137,800-$172,200 (actual compensation will be determined based on experience, and other factors permitted by law).

Benefits Summary: Rivian provides robust medical/Rx, dental and vision insurance packages for full-time employees, their spouse or domestic partner, and children up to age 26. Coverage is effective on the first day of employment.