Assistant Steering Engineer 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. 

Join Rivian's Vehicle Hardware Engineering — Chassis — Product Development team as a key contributor in bringing our electric adventure vehicles to life.

As a Senior Mechanical Design & Release Engineer, you'll be instrumental in the product development of chassis steering hardware components — from steering columns, intermediate shafts, and electric power-assisted steering gears to next-generation mechatronic systems including steer-by-wire, rear-wheel steering, and advanced ADAS steering technologies that are redefining how vehicles interact with the road.

You'll drive steering projects from concept through production release, overseeing pre-series builds, engineering validation, and final sign-off — ensuring our vehicles deliver a confident, connected driving experience on every surface, in every condition.

You'll join a highly collaborative team where your ideas, engineering judgment, and first-principles thinking directly shape what Rivian builds next.

• Own clean-sheet engineering design of steering mechatronic and hardware systems — from power-assist columns and steer-by-wire actuators to EPAS gears, intermediate shafts, tie-rods, and fasteners — challenging conventional approaches to deliver solutions that meet Rivian standards, attribute targets, and global market requirements.

• Own engineering deliverables including DFMEA, chassis integration, design validation plans, and project management of steering component and system projects — ensuring rigor and traceability from early concept through production sign-off.

• Partner across Vehicle Architecture, Concept, Functional Safety, Vehicle Dynamics & Controls, Safety, Software, and Electrical Hardware teams — bringing a systems-level perspective to co-develop robust engineering solutions to complex functional challenges.

• Evaluate steering component designs and mounting strategies with CAE software, and define validation procedures to ensure only optimized, integrated, and robust designs are released.

• Apply first-principles reasoning to question legacy design assumptions, evaluate trade-offs in cost, mass, and performance, and propose solutions that push the boundaries of what steering systems can deliver.

• Leverage knowledge and experience gained from steering system development, combined with lean principles, to enhance Rivian's steering technology portfolio and roadmap for future vehicles.

• Create and develop engineering specification packages that effectively communicate design intent to internal and external partners, ensuring products meet project parameters and functional requirements.

• Execute CAD 2D and 3D engineering releases — including assembly, packaging, measurement, surfacing (GSD), drawings, and virtual builds — within the CATIA 3DX environment, ensuring design intent is maintained through release.

• Build and nurture collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders — including durability, vehicle dynamics & controls, software, electrical hardware, vehicle line, attributes, purchasing, and suppliers — to deliver projects on time and to specification.

• Keep the driver's experience at the center of every design decision — from steering feel on a mountain switchback to precision on a highway, your work defines how our customers connect with their adventure.

• Effectively balance multiple projects, responsibilities, and tasks simultaneously, and travel as necessary to support testing, supplier visits, and production engineering support.

• Bachelors Degree in Mechanical Engineering (or a related discipline)
  
• Preferred: 5+ Years of experience in Chassis steering hardware and/or development at a steering supplier or OEM Chassis Department, or equivalent relevant experience
  
• Time spent in a relevant Master's Degree program may count towards work experience

• Proven ability to break down complex problems from first principles, using data and engineering fundamentals to drive design decisions — not just following precedent.

• Experience with engineering tools such as CAD (CATIA V6 3DX), CAE FEA software, DFMEA, component and sub-assembly validation DVP, root cause analysis, and fastener validation tools.

• Able to leverage core principles of chassis design, component manufacturing, material selection, vehicle dynamics, NVH, and electrical performance to contribute to overall vehicle performance objectives.

• Demonstrable understanding of steering system validation testing at both component and vehicle level.

• Thrive in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment — comfortable navigating ambiguity, independently managing concurrent projects, and collaborating across disciplines to deliver results.

• Communicate complex engineering concepts clearly and persuasively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders — from suppliers to cross-functional leadership.

Preferred:

• Experience with steer-by-wire systems, rear-wheel steering, or advanced ADAS-related steering technologies.

• Familiarity with functional safety standards (ISO 26262) as they relate to steering system design.

• Experience with global homologation requirements for steering systems across multiple markets.

• Hands-on prototype build support and physical validation experience.

• Experience managing international supplier relationships and development programs.

If you're driven by curiosity, energized by solving hard problems from the ground up, and passionate about building vehicles that inspire adventure — we want to hear from you.

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.  

How We Use AI in Our Hiring Process: To ensure transparency, we want candidates to know that Rivian uses iCIMS Talent Cloud Artificial Intelligence (TCAI) and AI-enabled tools to assist with screening, reviewing, organizing and highlighting profiles and applications that match the key requirements for each role.

Participation in AI profile matching is entirely voluntary. If you prefer that your profile not be used in this process, you can opt out at any time. Opting out means your profile will be excluded from automated matching and will not be surfaced for additional roles through this system. Your current application remains active and will not be affected in any way.

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

• Bachelors Degree in Mechanical Engineering (or a related discipline)
  
• Preferred: 5+ Years of experience in Chassis steering hardware and/or development at a steering supplier or OEM Chassis Department, or equivalent relevant experience
  
• Time spent in a relevant Master's Degree program may count towards work experience

• Proven ability to break down complex problems from first principles, using data and engineering fundamentals to drive design decisions — not just following precedent.

• Experience with engineering tools such as CAD (CATIA V6 3DX), CAE FEA software, DFMEA, component and sub-assembly validation DVP, root cause analysis, and fastener validation tools.

• Able to leverage core principles of chassis design, component manufacturing, material selection, vehicle dynamics, NVH, and electrical performance to contribute to overall vehicle performance objectives.

• Demonstrable understanding of steering system validation testing at both component and vehicle level.

• Thrive in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment — comfortable navigating ambiguity, independently managing concurrent projects, and collaborating across disciplines to deliver results.

• Communicate complex engineering concepts clearly and persuasively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders — from suppliers to cross-functional leadership.

Preferred:

• Experience with steer-by-wire systems, rear-wheel steering, or advanced ADAS-related steering technologies.

• Familiarity with functional safety standards (ISO 26262) as they relate to steering system design.

• Experience with global homologation requirements for steering systems across multiple markets.

• Hands-on prototype build support and physical validation experience.

• Experience managing international supplier relationships and development programs.

If you're driven by curiosity, energized by solving hard problems from the ground up, and passionate about building vehicles that inspire adventure — we want to hear from you.