Staff Manufacturing Engineer - Drive Unit, Rotor

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. 

As the Staff Manufacturing Engineer – Drive Unit, Rotor, you will design and implement all rotor manufacturing processes and equipment at Rivian's Drive Unit shop. In this role, you will lead the development of new manufacturing line infrastructure, guide best manufacturing practices for product design, own new process development and equipment design/implementation at our Normal, IL facility, and own the planning and launch of a new greenfield facility in East Atlanta, GA. The role is located at our Normal, IL facility and will report directly to the Sr Manager, Manufacturing Engineering.

• Join the team developing and commissioning the next-generation drive unit manufacturing lines for Rivian!
• Lead and manage rotor assembly line equipment engineering from initial concepting through full-scale production and handover
• Collaborate within ME and Plant cross-functional teams to ensure seamless coordination and execution of projects.
• Work with Product Development and Supplier development teams to validate supplier capabilities and help develop supplied material specifications for manufacturability
• Support project production line project through Design, FAT and SAT
• Responsible for successful project execution measured in terms of cost, safety, performance and delivery schedule
• Ensure equipment and process compliance with applicable standards, policies, acts, regulations and codes
• Directly lead and mentor engineers; foster an environment where individuals flourish
• Develop equipment and process specifications, assess vendor capabilities and lead supplier sourcing efforts based on data
• Provide in-depth design for manufacturing (DFM) feedback to the Product Engineering team to ensure that assembly processes are cost-efficient, robust and high-quality – GD&T alignment for fabrication, metrology and assembly
• Lead research and development activities for new manufacturing technologies that address existing assembly and automation challenges
• Lead feasibility studies to aid validation of manufacturing strategies
• Partner with and manage expectations between cross functional teams to ensure stakeholder engagement and satisfaction with the engineering solutions delivered
• Provide technical expertise and support to enable the Operations team to succeed including training, documentation and trouble-shooting
• Identify and drive corrective actions for process quality and performance issues
• This position requires up to 25% travel

• Bachelors/Masters/PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering, or similar technical field – preferred, or equivalent work experience
• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering
• Experience with magnet feeding and insertion, rotor balancing systems preferred; drive unit, e-axle, and transmission manufacturing engineering experience a plus

Preferred Qualifications

• Deep experience in manufacturing engineering and production challenges – demonstrated ability to scope, design, commission and hand over manufacturing lines to sustaining groups
• Knowledgeable in high and low volume manufacturing (APQP, prototyping, GD&T, OEE, equipment and supplier selection, DFM, 8D, process capability, CAD and PLM systems)
• Proficient in complex electro-mechanical system design, drive unit in particular
• Proficient in process characterization and validation using statistical tools
• Experience creating technical specifications for automated manufacturing equipment
• Experience creating process documentation
• Experience transitioning automated systems from prototype to production
• Experience with 2D & 3D software (AutoCAD, Solidworks, and Catia)

• Ability to travel both domestically and internationally as required
• Knowledgeable in high and low volume manufacturing (APQP, prototyping, GD&T, OEE, equipment and supplier selection, DFM, 8D, process capability, CAD and PLM systems)
• Critical problem-solving skills: ability to ask the right people, the right questions at the right time in the right way
• Detail-oriented: ability to be subject matter expert in order to make informed decisions for a variety of cross-functional teams, particularly product engineering
• Curiosity: demonstrate level of interest that enables inventiveness
• Structured: able to organize through methodical framework and documentation to achieve goals harmoniously
• Capable of leading a team across several cross functional disciplines, including product design, quality, construction, production, supply chain, controls, external vendors etc.

The salary range for this role is $125,000-$157,000  for Illinois 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 . 

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 7/1/2026.

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  View email address on ev.careers .

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.