Staff Vehicle Aerodynamicist

About Rivian

Rivianis 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

We are seeking a highly experienced Staff Vehicle Aerodynamicist to lead the aerodynamic development of our next-generation electric adventure vehicles. In this pivotal role, you will serve as the technical authority on vehicle aerodynamics, driving the attribute from early concept scaling through to production validation. You will balance the technical demands of drag reduction, lift balance and cooling requirements with the aesthetic vision of our Design Studio, ensuring our vehicles are as efficient as they are capable.

As a Staff member, you will not only execute high-level technical work but also act as a primary communicator to executive leadership, translating complex fluid dynamics data into clear, actionable strategic direction. You will mentor the wider team, establish best practices for simulation and testing, and ensure Rivian remains a leader in automotive aerodynamic efficiency.

Responsibilities

• Attribute Leadership: Own the aerodynamic attribute for major vehicle programs, setting rigorous targets for drag coefficient, lift balance, etc.
• Design Partnership: Collaborate daily with the Design team to guide surface development. You will need to effectively negotiate and optimize exterior surfaces to achieve aerodynamic targets while respecting the vehicle's styling intent.
• Simulation & Analysis: Lead advanced CFD campaigns to visualize flow structures and identify efficiency opportunities. Develop new methodologies to improve simulation correlation and turnaround time.
• Testing & Validation: Plan and execute wind tunnel test programs according to a detailed and rigorous DVP. Validate aerodynamic concepts using model, buck & prototype testing methodologies.
• Executive Communication: Regularly present status, risks, and trade-off studies to VP-level leadership and program directors. You must be able to distill complex technical phenomena into clear business and engineering decisions.
• Cross-Functional Integration: Work closely with Thermal, NVH, Soiling, Vehicle Dynamics, and Range teams to manage trade-offs (e.g., cooling airflow vs drag) and ensure a holistic vehicle performance.
• Mentorship: Act as a technical mentor to Senior Engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence and continuous learning within the Aerodynamics team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering; Master’s or PhD preferred.
• 6+ years of experience in automotive aerodynamics, specifically within an OEM or motorsport environment.
• Deep expertise in commercial CFD codes and their application to full-vehicle aerodynamics.
• Extensive experience with wind tunnel testing and data correlation.
• Proficiency in CAD surface development (CATIA V6 preferred).
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex technical subjects to non-technical leadership and cross-functional partners effectively.
• Strong scripting/data analysis skills (Python, MATLAB) to automate workflows and post-processing is a plus.
• Proven track record of taking a vehicle program from initial clay model to start of production

Pay Disclosure

The salary range for this role is $154,000-$192,500 for Southern 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.