Outdoor Engineering Jobs in Michigan (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. 

The Manager, Cost Engineering, will play a pivotal role within the Rivian Cost Engineering organization, leading a team of Electrical Cost Engineers in Plymouth, MI and Irvine, CA. This role will be responsible for overseeing the coordination of the cost modeling process with the larger Cost Engineering organization while actively participating in modeling activities. Combining leadership and hands-on responsibilities, this role requires a strong background in cost engineering, excellent communication skills, and effective team supervisory abilities. This role is based in Plymouth, MI or Irvine, CA and reports to the Senior Manager of Cost Engineering.

Project Management  

• Proactively manage task completion and regularly update cross-functional teams on project status, timing, resource allocation, challenges, and the likelihood of on-time, high-quality delivery. 

• Define milestones and identify potential risks to ensure timely delivery of cost models within agreed completion dates. Provide seamless coordination and issue resolution between all team members and groups. 

• Coordinate the assigned team with support of functional managers to develop innovative approaches and improved processes. 
• Support the implementation of a comprehensive cost engineering strategic roadmap: develop should-cost models, support tear-down and benchmarking activities, integrate advanced software and tools, and steer cross-functional teams in cost optimization initiatives

 Supervisory 

• Ensure coordination with global cost engineering management on priorities, support, and execution of cost models. 

• Provide guidance, coaching, and support to ensure accurate and timely cost estimates. 

• Review and validate cost estimates submitted by team members, ensuring they meet quality standards and align with project goals. 

• Cultivate a collaborative and innovative team environment, encourage knowledge sharing and continuous improvement. 

Cost Engineering 

• Develop should-cost estimates and projections for various automotive vehicle commodities such as lighting components, electrical motors, connectors, displays, wiring harnesses, PCBA-based electrical components, or semiconductor fabrication. Utilize information ranging from written assumptions, sample parts, CAD models, and engineering drawings. 

• Collect details and compile data to estimate all production costs considering raw materials, labor, and tooling for estimations or should-cost models. 

• Interface with manufacturing plants and suppliers to ensure the most economical tooling, processing, and operations that contribute to profitable production. 

• Assist Rivian Procurement in analyzing and reviewing supplier cost breakdowns to identify cost reduction opportunities through negotiations with suppliers. 
• Provide guidance to design engineers for proposed new or modified designs to achieve the required function at minimum or target cost. 

• Mentor Rivian Procurement team members based on manufacturing and process cost expertise. 

• Support competitive vehicle benchmarking to provide input for future model development and target costs. 

• Conduct Value Analysis / Value Engineering (VAVE) activities to generate cost reduction ideas by identifying process and product efficiencies that decrease overall costs. Collaborate with stakeholders to achieve cost reduction targets. 

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial, Systems, Electrical), Supply Chain, or a related field required 
• 2+ years of team leadership experience preferred
• 5+ years of relevant experience at an OEM, Tier 1 Manufacturer, Contract Manufacturer, Consumer Electronics, or similar company.
• Proven experience in manufacturing processes to support cost model development of lighting components, electrical motors, connectors, displays, wiring harnesses, PCBA-based electrical components, or semiconductor fabrication.
• Proficiency navigating CAD models in CATIA or similar software.
• Ability to interpret and understand design and manufacturing drawings.
• Practical knowledge of Value Analysis/Value Engineering techniques and strong understanding of financial principles.
• Detail-oriented, flexible, and resilient entrepreneurial spirit with the ability to thrive in a start-up environment.
• Strategic thinker with excellent communication and collaboration skills and a proven ability to add value to meetings and briefings.

The salary range for this role is  $125,800 - $157,200 for Plymouth, Michigan based applicants and $137,800 - $172,200 for Irvine, California 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 January 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.

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial, Systems, Electrical), Supply Chain, or a related field required 
• 2+ years of team leadership experience preferred
• 5+ years of relevant experience at an OEM, Tier 1 Manufacturer, Contract Manufacturer, Consumer Electronics, or similar company.
• Proven experience in manufacturing processes to support cost model development of lighting components, electrical motors, connectors, displays, wiring harnesses, PCBA-based electrical components, or semiconductor fabrication.
• Proficiency navigating CAD models in CATIA or similar software.
• Ability to interpret and understand design and manufacturing drawings.
• Practical knowledge of Value Analysis/Value Engineering techniques and strong understanding of financial principles.
• Detail-oriented, flexible, and resilient entrepreneurial spirit with the ability to thrive in a start-up environment.
• Strategic thinker with excellent communication and collaboration skills and a proven ability to add value to meetings and briefings.