Manager, Electrical Systems Validation Test

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. 

This role will lead the Electrical Systems Validation Test team responsible for system-level
testing on labcars, Hardware Validation Build vehicles, and other validation platforms. These
platforms support a broad range of system-level test objectives throughout the vehicle
development cycle.
As the people leader for the team, you will set direction, establish priorities, and ensure testing
is executed with rigor, efficiency, and clear accountability. This is a hands-on leadership role that
requires strong technical judgment and regular interaction with vehicle hardware and software.
You will guide the team through test planning, procedure development, execution, data review,
troubleshooting, and issue closure. You will also own the readiness, configuration, and
operational effectiveness of Hardware Validation Build vehicles used by the team. Success in
this role requires deep electrical systems expertise, data-driven execution, strong
cross-functional influence, and a commitment to developing a high-performing team.

● Lead, coach, and develop a team of electrical systems validation test engineers and
technicians; clarify expectations, provide ongoing feedback, and support individual
growth.
● Build and manage the team’s validation strategy, priorities, staffing plans, schedules, and
execution processes in alignment with broader vehicle and sub-functional goals.
● Lead system-level testing on lab cars and Hardware Validation Build vehicles, while
enabling partner engineering teams to perform their own testing effectively.
● Translate electrical system requirements and program objectives into comprehensive
validation plans, test methods, and measurable completion criteria.
● Guide the development and execution of test procedures to verify electrical system
requirements across power distribution, network communication, sensor behavior,
diagnostics, and related vehicle functions.
● Review test results to confirm requirements are met or identify off-nominal behavior.
● Drive issue tracking, troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, and corrective-action planning
in partnership with engineering and program stakeholders.
● Establish and maintain processes for managing hardware and software configuration,
readiness, changes, and issue status on labcars and Hardware Validation Build vehicles.
● Plan and implement hardware and software changes with development and vehicle
operations teams to protect test execution and schedule.
● Lead projects and validation programs involving diverse stakeholders; communicate
progress, risks, dependencies, and decisions clearly to keep work on track.
● Identify opportunities to improve test coverage, data quality, laboratory and vehicle
utilization, issue turnaround time, and overall team efficiency.
● Build strong partnerships across the function, resolve conflicts by understanding differing
perspectives, and secure early stakeholder alignment for changes in direction or
process.
● Recognize recruiting needs, participate in hiring, and build the team capabilities required
to support current and future vehicle programs.

● Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Software, Systems, Aerospace Engineering,
or a related field.
● 6+ years of experience with electrical system design, integration, validation, or testing in
automotive, aerospace, marine, or related industries, including experience leading
technical work or teams.
● Experience managing, mentoring, or developing engineers and/or technicians, with a
demonstrated ability to drive performance through feedback and coaching.
● Deep understanding of electrical engineering fundamentals and vehicle-level electrical
systems.
● Demonstrated ability to lead validation programs or projects involving diverse
cross-functional stakeholders.
● Experience developing validation strategies, test plans, procedures, schedules, and
metrics for complex hardware and software systems.
● Strong data analysis and technical problem-solving skills, with a disciplined methodology
for identifying root cause and driving issues to closure.
● Hands-on experience with electrical test equipment and data-acquisition tools, including
multimeters, power supplies, oscilloscopes, CANalyzer, Wireshark, and other analog and
digital dataloggers.
● Ability to read and interpret wiring schematics and interact with CAD and
configuration-management tools.
● Familiarity with software version-control systems such as Git.
● Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly communicate
expectations, progress, risks, and technical decisions.
● Ability to make sound decisions in a fast-paced environment and maintain accountability
for quality, schedule, and team results.

The salary range for this role is $167,400 - $209,300 for Palo Alto, 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 an 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 ev.careers .

Candidate Data Privacy and Technology

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.

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.