Senior Supplier Development, Industrialization & Quality Engineer - Battery Pack

Senior Supplier Development, Industrialization & Quality EngineerRivian 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.The Rivian Supply Chain team is looking for highly motivated technical professionals to ensure the stability and performance of our global supply chain. As a Senior Supplier Development, Industrialization & Quality Engineer, you will serve as a key individual contributor responsible for the quality performance and continuous improvement of an assigned commodity or group of suppliers. You will work with moderate autonomy to ensure that supplier manufacturing capabilities meet design requirements and that quality expectations are strictly followed. In this role, you will drive results by proactively identifying challenges at the supplier level and proposing actionable solutions to remove risks before they impact production. You are expected to lead the APQP/PPAP process for your assigned area and maintain strong relationships with direct counterparts to resolve recurring issues. This role offers the opportunity to influence sourcing decisions through expert analysis and data-driven insights. This position is based onsite in Irvine, California with a 50–75% domestic and international travel requirement and reports to the Manager Supplier Development, Industrialization & Quality.Responsibilities:Supplier Management: Own the quality performance for Battery Pack & Battery Components focusing on maintaining "Low-to-No Risk" (CL3) status. Directly oversee action plans for CL2 suppliers to prevent regression into higher-risk categories.Problem-Solving and Risk Mitigation: Proactively identify challenges and propose specific solutions to remove risks before they impact production. Demonstrate proficiency in robust problem-solving tools (e.g., 5-Why, Fishbone, Is/Isn't) to resolve recurring issues.Technical Skills: Own and lead the APQP/PPAP process for assigned parts, ensuring suppliers meet all technical and documentation standards. Define clear expectations and monitor timelines with suppliers to ensure on-time delivery of quality milestones.Organizational Influence & Outreach: Act as the technical owner for the industrialization of assigned suppliers and manage the final quality sign-off process. Use data-driven insights to directly influence the work of peers.Qualifications:Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical field and a minimum of 3 years of relevant supplier development experience.Domain Expertise: Experience managing commodities and understanding the various factors of impact including economic and technology landscapes.Commodity-Specific Experience: Lead supplier industrialization and readiness for Battery Components and Systems (battery packs, modules, battery structure and enclosures, cooling plates, busbars and interconnects, fasteners and joining, BMS and electronics, and related sub-components). Monitor battery warranty and field performance, partnering with Service, Quality, and Engineering to analyze field returns and failure trends, drive root cause and containment at suppliers, and verify corrective action effectiveness. Experience with battery structure (enclosures, cooling plates, structural joints, sealing) is key to this role.Specific technology knowledge in: module, and pack assembly; injection molding and tooling; stamping, casting, or extrusion for battery structure; welding and joining; adhesive, sealant, and thermal interface dispensing; torque and fastening systems; end-of-line and S&V testingTechnical Skills: Advanced knowledge of manufacturing techniques and supplier performance ownership.Communication: Strong distributor of information, capable of aligning larger working groups and defusing conflicts.Execution: Measured by the effective management of KPIs and the number of quality risks successfully mitigated.Operational Style: Responsible for identifying and managing personal priorities to ensure all area-specific milestones are met on time.Travel Requirements: Regular domestic and international travel is a core part of this role, expected to average between 50–75%.Pay Disclosure: The salary range for this role is $98,500 - $123,100 for Irvine, 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. 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.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 View email address on click.appcast.io.