Program Launch Manager Jobs in Riverside, CA (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.

Lead vehicle program management for the next‑generation EDV, overseeing technical and business execution including electrical architecture, autonomy, and propulsion. As the operational engine, you hold end‑to‑end accountability from concept to launch, driving timing, governance, and KPIs while meeting investment, COGS, and quality targets. Reporting to the Sr. Vehicle Line Director, you translate product vision into actionable technical and financial KPIs.

The essential functions of the position include, but are not limited to:

• Operational Execution & Governance: Operationalize the program strategy by translating high‑level product vision into actionable technical and business roadmaps. Lead daily execution & identify bottlenecks early. Drive cross‑functional status reviews and ensure the program rhythm meets all critical milestones.
• Financial & COGS Stewardship: Maintain rigorous ownership of the program's financial targets, including Total Investment (CAPEX/ED&D) and Unit Economics. Implement and monitor cost‑down initiatives to ensure the product remains within margin targets.
• Strategic Sourcing Leadership: Partner with Global Supply Chain to define sourcing strategies that align with technical requirements; oversee tooling maturity and supplier capacity to de‑risk the master schedule.
• Validation & Asset Strategy: Oversee the planning, budgeting, and procurement of validation assets relevant to your zone; ensure the full scope of testing is rigorous and synchronized with build phases.
• Strategic Escalation & Decision Authority: Exercise full authority to pause or expedite decisions not aligned with cost, timing, or quality benchmarks. Act as the final programmatic "Agreer" in RAPID, ensuring accountability across engineering and supply chain teams.
• Executive Visibility & Statusing: Provide clear, data‑driven transparency to executive leadership regarding program trajectory. Synthesize complex status updates into actionable insights that enable the VLD and executive leadership to make quick and accurate decisions.
• Cross‑Functional Orchestration: Bridge the "gray areas" between functional domains. Coordinate between manufacturing, supply chain, marketing, and service to ensure the vehicle design is manufacturable, serviceable, and commercially viable.
• ACE Partnership: Partner with the assistant chief engineers to balance technical requirements with program constraints. Provide necessary tension on build readiness, cost, and schedule to ensure the product delivers on brand promises without compromising business viability.

• Expertise: 12+ years in automotive program management or engineering leadership, with a proven track record of delivering large‑scale vehicle programs from concept through launch.
• Strategic Autonomy: Demonstrated ability to operate in highly ambiguous environments, making high‑stakes decisions with incomplete data.
• Financial Acumen: Comprehensive knowledge of automotive cost structures, with direct experience managing total landed cost, BOM/Non‑BOM COGS, and large‑scale CAPEX budgets.
• Technical Breadth: Strong "first principles" engineering approach; prior Design & Release (D&R) experience in complex systems (e.g., Battery, Chassis, Body, or EE) is highly preferred.
• Influential Leadership: Proven ability to influence VP‑level stakeholders and build cross‑functional consensus on high‑level strategic decisions.
• Systems Thinking: Ability to understand the end‑to‑end technical landscape (e.g., how engineering choices impact manufacturing and serviceability) and use this knowledge to drive trade‑off decisions that optimize the full vehicle program.

The salary range for this role is $196,000-$245,000 for Southern California based applicants, and $179,000-$223,700 for Michigan 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.

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.