Entry Level R&D Mechanical Engineer Jobs in Riverside, CA

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. 

• Design, develop, and validate gearboxes and actuators
• Design, develop, and validate plastic gears and gear trains for angle sensors and other mechatronic sensing/actuation applications
• Perform gearbox design calculations, tolerance analysis, and tooth form optimization using KISSsoft
• Specify and verify gear quality and tolerance requirements in accordance with Standard: ISO 1328
• Apply plastic gear design guidelines per Standard: VDI 2736 accounting for shrinkage, thermal expansion, moisture absorption, and wear
• Create detailed 3D models of plastic gears, gearboxes, shafts, etc.
• Collaborate with electrical engineers to integrate gear trains with angle sensors and other position-sensing components
• Coordinate injection-molded gear tooling, sampling, and validation efforts with Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers
• Develop and execute design verification plans and reports (DVP&R) for gear performance, durability, and NVH
• Lead and maintain design failure mode and effects analyses (DFMEAs) for gear and sensor assemblies
• Prototype and iterate designs using hands-on fabrication, gear metrology, and lab testing to validate functionality

• Proven experience designing plastic (injection-molded) gears, including tooth form compensation, backlash management, and material selection
• Proficiency in KISSsoft for gear design, calculation, and simulation
• Working knowledge of Standard: ISO 1328 gear tolerance classifications
• Familiarity with Standard: VDI 2736 plastic gear design and testing guidelines
• Experience designing gears for angle sensors or similar rotary position sensor gear trains
• Proficient in 3D/2D CAD (Catia V5/V6 preferred) and Multibody dynamics (MBD)
• Strong knowledge of GD&T and tolerance stack-up analysis
• Solid foundation in polymer material properties, injection molding processes, and gear metrology
• Familiarity with PLM systems, BOM structuring, engineering changes, and deviation processes

Salary Range Irvine-Based Applicants: $107,800-$134,800 (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.

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.

• Proven experience designing plastic (injection-molded) gears, including tooth form compensation, backlash management, and material selection
• Proficiency in KISSsoft for gear design, calculation, and simulation
• Working knowledge of Standard: ISO 1328 gear tolerance classifications
• Familiarity with Standard: VDI 2736 plastic gear design and testing guidelines
• Experience designing gears for angle sensors or similar rotary position sensor gear trains
• Proficient in 3D/2D CAD (Catia V5/V6 preferred) and Multibody dynamics (MBD)
• Strong knowledge of GD&T and tolerance stack-up analysis
• Solid foundation in polymer material properties, injection molding processes, and gear metrology
• Familiarity with PLM systems, BOM structuring, engineering changes, and deviation processes