Automotive Lab Testing Jobs in Illinois (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 Battery Test and Validation Engineer II, you will be a key contributor to the battery test team in Normal, IL driving and executing the testing of current and next generation high voltage battery systems. In this role you will interface closely with validation/design engineers to design and execute test plans and schedules. You will communicate and work closely with different teams across the organization. You will work in a state- of-the-art battery lab where you will use your creativity to design and execute test methods. This role will also be responsible for sourcing of test equipment and resources, you will coordinate and drive testing to meet deadlines and deliver on-time. This role will be located at our Normal, IL battery test facility and reports directly to the battery test manager.

• Be the technical lead and provide direction to lab personnel (both in house and external) in setting up and executing tests on Li-Ion battery systems (electrical, thermal, humidity, internal protection, corrosion, etc...)
• Initiate the design of tests and validation assessments and drive the development of detailed test outlines and test methods for High Voltage battery systems and battery pack components.
• Execute and maintain the testing on high voltage battery systems using approved procedures and test plans.
• Provide detailed data analytics from data collected during testing.
• Provide feedback related to battery failure modes discovered during testing to Validation Engineers, Design Engineers, and Manufacturing Engineers.
• Speak up for safety issues and read across activities for actions and closures.
• Participate in Bill of Design assessments, CTS, DFMEA, PFMEA, DVP&R, CTR, etc....
• Support technical root cause analysis and resolution of issues found during testing.
• Support hardware integration related to interfacing hardware and connection issues.
• Design and modify fixtures and instrumentation for battery testing.
• Develop, maintain, and enhance technical memory documents, templates, and tracking of BoD, BoM, CTS, CTR, DFMEA, ADV Toolbox, Drawing Templates, and Lessons Learned
• Support design reviews for Product Development & Change Management, Key Stakeholder Reviews, Component Technical Reviews and Supplier Technical Reviews.

• BS or MS in Electrical Engineering or similar discipline
• Minimum 1 year of automotive or battery experience in related field
• Experience with High Voltage Battery Testing, including battery cycling and electrical/thermal performance specially around Li-Ion based chemistries.
• Expertise with automotive test tools such as Vector CANalyzer, CANoe, CANape, Tracetronic ECU-Test, Vehicle Spy preferred.
• Experience working with battery cycling test equipment
• Experience with battery test automation systems (Lynx, others)
• Understanding of high voltage, stored energy, FMVSS and battery safety
• Expertise in instrumentation (Thermocouples, RTDs, Strain Gauges, Accelerometers, Pressure Gauges, Flow Meters, Data Loggers)
• Expertise on consolidating large quantities of data to analyze and interpret test results.
• Expertise in electrical and mechanical tooling and integrations (fixtures, coolants, and automated test systems)
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills. Ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and basic software scripting abilities
• High energy and self-motivated
• ~20% Domestic and/or International Travel

The salary range for this role is USD 71,000 - 88,800 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.

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 August 20, 2026.

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.

• BS or MS in Electrical Engineering or similar discipline
• Minimum 1 year of automotive or battery experience in related field
• Experience with High Voltage Battery Testing, including battery cycling and electrical/thermal performance specially around Li-Ion based chemistries.
• Expertise with automotive test tools such as Vector CANalyzer, CANoe, CANape, Tracetronic ECU-Test, Vehicle Spy preferred.
• Experience working with battery cycling test equipment
• Experience with battery test automation systems (Lynx, others)
• Understanding of high voltage, stored energy, FMVSS and battery safety
• Expertise in instrumentation (Thermocouples, RTDs, Strain Gauges, Accelerometers, Pressure Gauges, Flow Meters, Data Loggers)
• Expertise on consolidating large quantities of data to analyze and interpret test results.
• Expertise in electrical and mechanical tooling and integrations (fixtures, coolants, and automated test systems)
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills. Ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and basic software scripting abilities
• High energy and self-motivated
• ~20% Domestic and/or International Travel