Adventure Program Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Rivian is on a mission to keep the world adventurous forever. This goes for the emissions-free Electric Adventure Vehicles we build, and the curious, courageous souls we seek to attract. 

As a company, we constantly challenge what’s possible, never simply accepting what has always been done. We reframe old problems, seek new solutions and operate comfortably in areas that are unknown. Our backgrounds are diverse, but our team shares a love of the outdoors and a desire to protect it for future generations. 

As a Technical Program Manager in the Special Projects team, you will play a critical role in defining and  riving complex, cross-functional projects that span engineering, procurement, manufacturing, and build. You will report to the Director of Special Projects and be responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing technical programs from conception through delivery. Special Projects is a unique team that owns large-scale initiatives from cradle to grave, supporting both internal teams and external partners. Your role will be to ensure program execution is aligned with departmental priorities, and you will act as a key liaison across teams to manage scope, resources, schedules, and risks for high-impact initiatives.

• Define and drive program structure and execution across engineering, procurement, manufacturing, and build functions. 
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to scope requirements, develop integrated plans, and ensure timely delivery of project objectives. 
• Drive critical business discussions related to build requirements, timing, and design readiness. 
• Track functional requirements and ensure alignment with overall project deliverables and build schedules. 
• Represent Special Projects in cross-functional forums to advocate for program needs, escalate issues, and influence decision-making.

• Strong ability to influence and drive alignment across teams and senior stakeholders without direct authority. 
• Proven expertise in technical program management with a track record of successful project delivery. 
• A background in engineering (Bachelor’s in Engineering required; advanced degree preferred). 
• Deep understanding of the product development lifecycle, with technical insight to identify and resolve issues. 
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. 
• Experience with production, prototyping, and fabrication processes and their impact on cost, timing, and quality. 
• Confidence in making data-driven decisions and communicating clearly to stakeholders. 
• A proactive mindset with the ability to learn quickly, stay positive, and bring structure to ambiguity.

Rivian is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information or characteristics, physical or mental disability, marital/domestic partner status, age, military/veteran status, medical condition, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Rivian is committed to ensuring that our hiring process is accessible for persons with disabilities. If you have a disability or limitation, such as those covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, that requires accommodations to assist you in the search and application process, please email us at candidateaccommodations@rivian.com.

Rivian may collect, use and disclose your personal information or personal data (within the meaning of the applicable data protection laws) when you apply for employment and/or participate in our recruitment processes (“Candidate Personal Data”). This data includes contact, demographic, communications, educational, professional, employment, social media/website, network/device, recruiting system usage/interaction, security and preference information. Rivian may use your Candidate Personal Data for the purposes of (i) tracking interactions with our recruiting system; (ii) carrying out, analyzing and improving our application and recruitment process, including assessing you and your application and conducting employment, background and reference checks; (iii) establishing an employment relationship or entering into an employment contract with you; (iv) complying with our legal, regulatory and corporate governance obligations; (v) recordkeeping; (vi) ensuring network and information security and preventing fraud; and (vii) as otherwise required or permitted by applicable law. 

Rivian may share your Candidate Personal Data with (i) internal personnel who have a need to know such information in order to perform their duties, including individuals on our People Team, Finance, Legal, and the team(s) with the position(s) for which you are applying; (ii) Rivian affiliates; and (iii) Rivian’s service providers, including providers of background checks, staffing services, and cloud services. 

Rivian may transfer or store internationally your Candidate Personal Data, including to or in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the European Union and in the cloud, and this data may be subject to the laws and accessible to the courts, law enforcement and national security authorities of such jurisdictions.  

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

• Strong ability to influence and drive alignment across teams and senior stakeholders without direct authority. 
• Proven expertise in technical program management with a track record of successful project delivery. 
• A background in engineering (Bachelor’s in Engineering required; advanced degree preferred). 
• Deep understanding of the product development lifecycle, with technical insight to identify and resolve issues. 
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. 
• Experience with production, prototyping, and fabrication processes and their impact on cost, timing, and quality. 
• Confidence in making data-driven decisions and communicating clearly to stakeholders. 
• A proactive mindset with the ability to learn quickly, stay positive, and bring structure to ambiguity.