Vehicle Validation Engineer 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. 

In this role, you will join the Powertrain Engineering team to design, track, and execute robust validation strategies for our next-generation electric vehicle drive units. You will serve as the technical bridge between initial concepts, rig/dyno/vehicle testing, and full production launch. Operating in a fast-paced environment, you will be responsible for ensuring our electric propulsion systems meet the highest industry standards for durability, performance, and reliability.

Test Planning & Strategy

• Own the DVP&R: Develop, maintain, and track end-to-end validation testing plans (DVP&R) for the electric powertrain system.
• Define Engineering Requirements: Formulate clear validation methods and technical requirements; leverage engineering calculations and simulations to establish baseline test parameters.
• Standardize Testing Procedures: Define highly detailed, specific test instructions for internal Test Operations, review complex test profiles, and serve as the final approval authority for all tests.

Test Execution & Lab Operations

• Drive Testing Milestones: Collaborate daily with the Test Operations group to schedule, prioritize, and perform testing to meet aggressive vehicle program milestones.
• Manage External & Supplier Labs: Support external validation efforts, including hands-on management at supplier facilities and safely operating Rivian driveline systems.
• Teardown & Diagnostics: Guide the physical teardown of post-test parts and ensure rigorous visual and technical documentation.
• Define Infrastructure: Deliver comprehensive validation procedures that specify necessary test equipment, specialized apparatus, and physical testing locations.

Analysis, Lifecycle & Continuous Improvement

• Root Cause Analysis: Lead thorough troubleshooting and failure investigations using structured Rivian methodologies; perform life and stress calculations on components to implement corrective design actions.
• Data Analytics & Reporting: Author professional, data-driven test reports to communicate analytics, capture results, and outline clear next steps for the engineering organization.
• Lifecycle Management: Utilize standard Rivian product lifecycle tools to manage and trace vehicle features seamlessly from initial design through to launch, steady-state production, and post-sales over-the-air (OTA) software updates.

• Education: B.S. in Engineering (Mechanical, Automotive, or a related technical discipline) or similar. 
• Experience:
• 2+ years of relevant engineering experience within the automotive or electric vehicle sector, preferred.
• 1–5 years of hands-on experience developing and implementing EV requirements and validation strategies, preferred. 
• Technical Domain Expertise:
• Deep, fundamental understanding of electric powertrains, driveline systems, and high-voltage vehicle components.
• Full lifecycle mastery of system-level powertrain Design Validation (DV) and Production Validation (PV) environments.
• Proven experience working with full-service testing vendors, advanced dynamometers, and dyno-related data acquisition equipment.
• Familiarity with modern product lifecycle and tracking tools (e.g., Jira, Confluence, Jama, or equivalent) to monitor features and software updates.
• Core Competencies:
• Excellent problem-solving habits with a data-first approach to component diagnostics and failure analysis.
• High degree of flexibility and adaptability; comfortable operating under ambiguity in a highly dynamic, fast-paced work culture.

The salary range for this role is $85,600 - $107,000 for 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. 

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.

• Education: B.S. in Engineering (Mechanical, Automotive, or a related technical discipline) or similar. 
• Experience:
• 2+ years of relevant engineering experience within the automotive or electric vehicle sector, preferred.
• 1–5 years of hands-on experience developing and implementing EV requirements and validation strategies, preferred. 
• Technical Domain Expertise:
• Deep, fundamental understanding of electric powertrains, driveline systems, and high-voltage vehicle components.
• Full lifecycle mastery of system-level powertrain Design Validation (DV) and Production Validation (PV) environments.
• Proven experience working with full-service testing vendors, advanced dynamometers, and dyno-related data acquisition equipment.
• Familiarity with modern product lifecycle and tracking tools (e.g., Jira, Confluence, Jama, or equivalent) to monitor features and software updates.
• Core Competencies:
• Excellent problem-solving habits with a data-first approach to component diagnostics and failure analysis.
• High degree of flexibility and adaptability; comfortable operating under ambiguity in a highly dynamic, fast-paced work culture.