Internship Electroplating Process Engineer Jobs in Illinois

About Rivian

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.

Role Summary

Rivian is seeking a highly motivated and skilled Process Engineer to optimize our manufacturing processes and uphold the highest standards of product quality. The ideal candidate will bridge the gap between process efficiency and quality assurance, driving continuous improvement initiatives and ensuring compliance with industry standards and internal specifications. This role is critical to maintaining high yields, reducing waste, and delivering reliable products to our customers.

The Process Engineer position at Rivian will support our Drive Unit production and report to the Process Engineering Manager. Shift flexibility is required for these engineers.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate engineering changes and new program launches
• Review, interpret, and summarize statistical data to drive process improvement
• Determine the ‘Best Practice’ process approach of material, tooling, equipment, and labor process
• Develop work instructions, standardized work, process flow, and process documentation to ensure manufacturing process is being followed
• Work with design engineering team to develop and establish a design that lends itself to high volume production while ensuring quality during the manufacturing process
• Work with manufacturing engineering team to commission and optimize next generation drive unit/propulsion assembly equipment
• Perform time analysis using a standard motion time system (MODAPTS), estimate production times, manage staffing requirements, manage labor costs, and drive line balancing
• Support production teams through process and equipment related troubleshooting and continuous improvement
• Develop recovery/troubleshooting best practices and procedures for production team to increase equipment availability
• Investigate assembly issues and implement solutions by reviewing product design, established processes, and equipment/tooling effectiveness
• Monitor Quality KPI and develop action items to reduce cost with cross functional teams

Qualifications

• Bachelor's/Master's degree in engineering discipline.
• Prefer 1+ years engineering experience in a high‑volume manufacturing operation, preferably automotive and/or drive unit/propulsion manufacturing. This includes Internship or Co‑op experience.
• Availability to work 2nd/night shift.
• Must have good communication skills – both verbal and written.
• Hands‑on experience with supporting production equipment (Mechanical, electrical, control systems, automation, robotics, etc.).
• Experience in using 2D & 3D Modeling tools (AutoCAD, CATIA/ENOVIA).
• Experience and/or Knowledge in DOE, Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerance, Torque Tooling, Error Proofing, and PFMEA.
• Experience and/or certification in Six Sigma DMAIC, Lean Assembly Principles, Time Studies using MTM or MODAPTS.
• Working knowledge in Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook programs.
• Creative problem‑solving skills.
• Strong team orientation and cross functional attitude.
• Kaizen, 5S, Six Sigma, Lean Six Sigma etc experience is a plus.

Pay Disclosure

Salary Range for Illinois Based Applicants: The salary range for this role is $78,200 - $97,700 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.

Benefits Summary 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.

Equal Opportunity

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.

Candidate Data Privacy

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.