Senior Validation Engineer Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

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
As a Staff Battery Test Engineer, you will be a foundational technical leader within the battery organization in Normal, IL. You will be responsible for defining the long-term architectural vision for the testing and validation of current and next-generation high-voltage battery systems. In this role, you will act as a bridge between Engineering, Manufacturing, and Quality, ensuring that our validation strategies are not only rigorous but also scalable and industry-leading. You will serve as a Subject Matter Expert (SME), mentoring senior engineers and driving the technical roadmap for our state-of-the-art battery lab.
Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Act as the primary technical authority for high-voltage battery validation, providing high-level direction to lab personnel and external partners on complex Li-Ion battery system behaviors (electrical, thermal, safety, and longevity).
• Methodology Innovation: Pioneer the development of novel test methodologies and "First Principles" validation assessments. Drive the standardization of test outlines for next-generation HV battery systems.
• Infrastructure Strategy: Lead the technical specification and sourcing strategy for large-scale test equipment, ensuring the lab remains at the cutting edge of battery technology.
• Advanced Data Analytics: Develop automated data pipelines and analytical frameworks to transform raw test data into actionable insights for the wider organization.
• Systemic Problem Solving: Lead cross-functional Root Cause Analysis (RC) for complex, multi- system failure modes, influencing design changes at the cell, module, and pack levels.
• Risk Mitigation & Governance: Lead and approve high-stakes technical assessments, including DFMEA, PFMEA, and DVP&R. Ensure "Read Across" activities are integrated into the global design cycle to prevent repeat issues.
• Technical Memory & Standards: Design and oversee the organization's "Technical Memory"- building the templates, lessons-learned databases, and ADV Toolboxes that define how the company validates batteries.
• Cross-Functional Influence: Represent the Battery Test organization in Key Stakeholder Reviews and Executive-level design reviews, influencing Product Development and Change Management strategies.

Qualifications

• Experience: 10+ years of experience in battery testing, power electronics, or EV powertrain validation (or equivalent demonstrated impact).
• Education: BS/MS/PhD in Electrical, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering.
• Systems Thinking: Proven track record of leading complex projects that span multiple engineering disciplines (Software, Thermal, Mechanical, and Cell Chemistry).
• Expertise with automotive test tools such as Vector CANalyzer, CANoe, CANape, Tracetronic ECU-Test, Vehicle SPI preferred.
• Experience working with battery cycling and automation test equipment (NHR, TLU, Lynx)
• Communication: Ability to distill complex technical failures into strategic recommendations for non-technical leadership.
• Expertise on consolidating large quantities of data to analyze and interpret test results.
• High energy and self-motivated
• ~20% Domestic and/or International Travel

Pay Disclosure
The salary range for this role is USD 114,100 - 142,600 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.
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 February 20, 2026.
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
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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.
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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.
AI does not make hiring decisions: Qualified candidate applications are reviewed by a member of our team, and all decisions throughout the process are made by humans. We use AI to support efficiency and consistency, not to replace human judgment. We are committed to a fair, thoughtful, and equitable experience for every candidate.
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.