Prototype Vehicle Test Driver 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. 

In the Sr. Manager, Test & Development Vehicle Testing role, you will oversee the operation of test operations focused on validating various attributes that are inherent to Rivian’s vehicles. You will manage a team that operates and maintains the test vehicles, working both at proving grounds and various remote locations around the country, all while delivering actionable test data to internal customers. Focus in this position will be placed on ensuring testing efficiency, data quality, and the continuous advancement of testing capabilities. This role requires a high level of motivation, as well as an understanding of the vehicle development cycle, test planning, vehicle level instrumentation, and testing methodology in a fast-paced development environment. 

• Manage a team that performs full vehicle and sub-system development and validation testing; interacting with multiple engineering teams, such as Dynamics, Benchmarking, Powertrain, NVH, Body Controls, Chassis Durability, and others from the beginning of a program through production launch
• Conduct vehicle test planning, manage high level timing plans and budgets, software and calibration updates, data analysis, and control system data collection
• Supervise team execution and documentation of specific portions of the vehicle and component DVP&R using Jira, Jama, and Rivian proprietary tool set
• Create and modify test documentation including test work instructions, Rivian test specifications, and summary reports from vehicle testing projects
• Manage vehicle tests on-site in-lab, on public roads, at a proving ground or other off-site public/private test location that may include specific conditions such as extreme weather condition areas, off-road, remote, urban, overseas, etc.
• Perform subjective and objective evaluations in one or more areas of personal expertise for remote design and engineering teams
• Continually develop the overall DVP plan for each new program within FLOW; report on specific and overall progress to leadership teams
• Lead initial root cause analysis to solve issues found on vehicles under test; liaison across multiple engineering departments and multiple cross-functional teams
• Collaborate with Program and domain / department teams to optimize vehicle usage across limited assets. Advocate for priority where required to meet test timing
• Develop and refine reporting and tracking tools to continually improve overall department and team efficiency; focusing on integration of emerging AI applications and in-vehicle utilities 

• 10+ years in a vehicle testing environment
• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related science from an accredited university or equivalent experience
• Proven experience running and maintaining a variety of vehicle level and component level tests from early prototypes to the launch of the vehicle program
• Detailed experience working hands-on with in-vehicle test equipment including installation, use, and data analysis
• Understand instrumentation of test articles, including installation of thermocouples, video cameras, strain gauges, accelerometers, load transducers, etc.
• Be knowledgeable of sensors and systems for all aspects of vehicle measurement (Thermal, NVH, and others) and CAN, LIN, and Ethernet vehicle data networks
• Proving ground and on-road / on-track experience required
• Willing to travel up to of 25% of the time
• Excellent problem solving skills with an eye for detail and a focus on quality where the customer is internal to Rivian, Rivian leadership, and homologation teams. Present big picture direction with backup technical detail and understanding.
• Proven experience with at least 2 major vehicle systems (ie. Electric Powertrain, Chassis / Suspension, HVAC, Braking, etc.)
• Team first mentality - working within the site, the Test & Development org, Validation, Engineering, and Special Projects org and Rivian overall (BIG PICTURE/COME TOGETHER)
• Innate curiosity about all things automotive
• Ability to work independently

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.  

Please note that we are currently not accepting applications from third party application services.

• 10+ years in a vehicle testing environment
• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related science from an accredited university or equivalent experience
• Proven experience running and maintaining a variety of vehicle level and component level tests from early prototypes to the launch of the vehicle program
• Detailed experience working hands-on with in-vehicle test equipment including installation, use, and data analysis
• Understand instrumentation of test articles, including installation of thermocouples, video cameras, strain gauges, accelerometers, load transducers, etc.
• Be knowledgeable of sensors and systems for all aspects of vehicle measurement (Thermal, NVH, and others) and CAN, LIN, and Ethernet vehicle data networks
• Proving ground and on-road / on-track experience required
• Willing to travel up to of 25% of the time
• Excellent problem solving skills with an eye for detail and a focus on quality where the customer is internal to Rivian, Rivian leadership, and homologation teams. Present big picture direction with backup technical detail and understanding.
• Proven experience with at least 2 major vehicle systems (ie. Electric Powertrain, Chassis / Suspension, HVAC, Braking, etc.)
• Team first mentality - working within the site, the Test & Development org, Validation, Engineering, and Special Projects org and Rivian overall (BIG PICTURE/COME TOGETHER)
• Innate curiosity about all things automotive
• Ability to work independently