Sr. Exterior Trim Mechanical Design & Release Engineer

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 Senior Mechanical Engineer - Exterior Trim you will own the design, development, and release of exterior trim systems and components (e.g., fascias, flares, claddings, rockers, underbody shields, MIC trims, appliques) across current and future Rivian programs. You will be accountable for delivering robust designs that meet cost, mass, quality, and timing targets while leading cross-functional alignment with Studio, Manufacturing, Quality,
Supplier Engineering, and Attributes teams.

You are expected to operate as a technical leader within the team: driving issue resolution to
root cause, leading supplier engagement, mentoring earlier-career engineers, and representing
Exterior Trim in key vehicle forums

Responsibilities

Product design & release

• Own the end-to-end design and release of exterior trim parts and assemblies (from
  concept through production), including CAD, drawing, and PLM ownership for assigned
  components.
• Apply first-principles mechanical engineering and DFM/DFA best practices for
  high-volume polymer and composite processes (e.g., injection molding, 2-shot,
  over-molding, compression molding).
• Balance A-surface design intent with engineering, manufacturing, and cost constraints;
  provide clear, data-driven feedback to Studio on feasibility and trade-offs.

Program execution & delivery

• Deliver exterior trim content to program cost, mass, and tooling targets; track gaps and
  drive closure with Purchasing, Cost, and suppliers
• Own engineering inputs to PFEP, PPAP readiness, and Design Validation Build, Manufacturing Validation builds and saleable build readiness, ensuring parts, tooling, and validation are on track to support build plans.
• Lead resolution of problems and quality issues related to exterior trim from early development through field, including root cause, containment, and permanent countermeasures in partnership with Manufacturing, Quality, and Service

Validation & quality

• Develop and maintain DVP&R for your components and sub-systems; ensure test
  coverage vs. requirements and manage test execution with Validation and suppliers.
• Interpret validation, plant, and field data to improve design robustness (e.g., fit/finish,
  DVAC, PIST, BSR, durability, corrosion, water management).
• Contribute to and use DFMEAs and lessons-learned to prevent recurrence of known
  failure modes across programs and parts.

Cross-functional leadership

• Lead cross-functional discussions with Body, Closures, Studio, Manufacturing,
  Supplier Engineering, Quality, and Attributes to converge on feasible, high-quality
  solutions for exterior trim issues and change requests (e.g., PCCR, SURFCR, RBCM).
• Represent Exterior Trim status and risk in program reviews, clearly articulating issues,
  options, and recommendations.
• Provide technical mentorship and day-to-day guidance to RIV 3-4 engineers and
  designers on good design practice, process, and Rivian ways of working.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field (Master's preferred).
• 5+ years or relevant experience in automotive exterior systems (trim, fascias, claddings,
  underbody, appliques, or similar).
• Strong proficiency with 3D CAD (e.g., CATIA / 3DEXPERIENCE or similar) for complex
  plastic parts and assemblies, including sectioning, GD&T, and tolerance stacks.
• Demonstrated experience taking components from concept through SOP in a
  high-volume manufacturing environment, including supplier collaboration and launch
  support at plant.
• Proven ability to drive root-cause problem solving and implement robust permanent
  countermeasures within program timing constraints.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to summarize complex
  issues and influence cross-functional decisions.

Preferred:

• Direct experience with MIC exterior trim, wheel arch and rocker systems, underbody
  shields, claddings, and liftgate closeouts, including cost/mass optimization and RC
  burn-down.
• Familiarity with polymer material selection for exterior applications (PP, TPO, PC/ABS,
  POM, LGF, ASA) and collaboration with material and resin suppliers.
• Experience authoring or maintaining DVP&R, DFMEA, and PFEP for exterior systems.
• Exposure to global regulatory and customer requirements that impact exterior trim
  (impact, pedestrian protection, corrosion, water management, NVH, IQS/VOC).

Pay Disclosure

The salary range for this role is $107,800 - $134,800 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.


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.

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.