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Sr. Mechanical Engineer
Rivian
United States · California, USA · Carlsbad, CA, USA · Carson, CA, USA
USD 137k-172k / year + Equity
Posted on Mar 6, 2026
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
The core responsibilities for the Senior Mechanical Engineer, Prototype Build role. The primary function of this role is to drive the development of robust prototype build processes for our specialized equipment and products.
Core responsibilities for the successful candidate include ensuring the effective operation and necessary maintenance of specialized assembly equipment. This specifically covers technologies such as laser welding, paste dispensing, press-fit PCBA and magnetic assembly, heat staking, and leak testing. Therefore, the ideal candidate must possess strong, demonstrated experience in setting up and managing these critical manufacturing technologies.
Responsibilities
Pay Range
The salary range for this role is $137,000 - $172,000 for Carson, CA 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.
Additional Compensation Awards
The successful candidate may be eligible for annual performance bonus and equity awards.
Benefits
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.
Application Information
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 March 31, 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 candidateaccommodations@rivian.com.
Candidate Data Privacy
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.
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
The core responsibilities for the Senior Mechanical Engineer, Prototype Build role. The primary function of this role is to drive the development of robust prototype build processes for our specialized equipment and products.
Core responsibilities for the successful candidate include ensuring the effective operation and necessary maintenance of specialized assembly equipment. This specifically covers technologies such as laser welding, paste dispensing, press-fit PCBA and magnetic assembly, heat staking, and leak testing. Therefore, the ideal candidate must possess strong, demonstrated experience in setting up and managing these critical manufacturing technologies.
Responsibilities
- The primary focus of this role is leading a team of technicians to execute "slow builds" of prototype power electronics products, both on-vehicle and off-vehicle.
- This involves collaborating closely with Design Release Engineers (DREs) to create assembly instructions, develop build processes, and coordinate with external suppliers.
- The core responsibilities include managing process equipment procurement, defining build specifications, and training technicians on assembly procedures.
- The candidate will also collaborate with the engineering quality team on assurance checkpoints, participate in mechanical design reviews, and utilize CATIA to design assembly and test fixtures.
- The role involves defining rework standards, conducting torque-to-fail studies, and supporting DREs on product design.
- From a project coordination perspective, you will be expected to organize projects using analytical tools, lead daily build status meetings, and manage the prototype group during managerial absences.
- All build-related issues will be captured and resolved via the JIRA system.
- This role requires supporting production manufacturing assembly process development, which involves travel to various suppliers and Rivian plants.
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related engineering field.
- Experience: Minimum 5+ years of professional work experience in automotive or engineering product design, prototyping, and high-volume production builds.
- Design Tools: Proficiency in CATIA V6 (Part Design, Assembly, and using GD&T per ASME Y14.5 to create 2D Drafting).
- Note: Candidates transitioning from SolidWorks or NX are welcome to apply if they possess exceptionally strong 3D modeling fundamentals.
- Technical & Shop Skills: Knowledge of sheet metal forming, machining equipment (mill, lathe, bandsaw), and basic hand tools.
- Electrical/PCBA Knowledge: Understanding of the full PCBA lifecycle from bare board fabrication to final population, including basic knowledge of board-level rework (conformal coating removal, trace cutting, jumper wire additions per Design Change Notice (DCNs)).
- Process Documentation: Proven experience creating work instructions, rework processes, and developing production-intent assembly steps while collaborating directly with technicians and assemblers.
- Project Management: Ability to work independently and manage several challenging projects simultaneously. Proficient with Google Docs, Jira, and Microsoft Office tools.
- Attitude: Consistently maintains a positive, proactive, and solutions-oriented attitude in a fast-paced environment.
Pay Range
The salary range for this role is $137,000 - $172,000 for Carson, CA 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.
Additional Compensation Awards
The successful candidate may be eligible for annual performance bonus and equity awards.
Benefits
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.
Application Information
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 March 31, 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 candidateaccommodations@rivian.com.
Candidate Data Privacy
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.