Process Engineer, Paint

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

The Paint Process Engineer role focuses on maintaining and improving paint shop performance through process optimization, defect reduction, and rigorous adherence to safety and quality standards. This role is located on site in Normal, IL and will report to the Manager of Process Engineering within the Paint Department


Responsibilities

• Process Optimization (Manual Decks): Analyze and optimize manual deck operations across the entire paint shop (prep, masking, sanding, tacking, spraying, and finesse/polishing) to eliminate technique variations and reduce bottlenecks.
• Automated Sealer Quality: Monitor the quality output of automated sealer cells, collaborating directly with maintenance, technicians, and external contractors to troubleshoot equipment issues and ensure consistent, high-quality sealer application.
• Defect Resolution: Perform root cause analysis (e.g., 8D, 5 Whys) on paint and sealer defects (dirt, runs, sags, orange peel, skips) to implement permanent corrective actions, reduce manual rework, and minimize material waste.
• Tooling Implementation: Evaluate, source, and integrate improved tooling and equipment (e.g., ergonomic sanders, optimized masking dispensers, upgraded spray guns) to reduce operator fatigue and improve finish quality across all manual zones.
• Process Confirmation: Develop, maintain, and audit Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Conduct Layered Process Audits (LPAs) to verify adherence to validated techniques, fluid flow rates, and flash times.
• 5S & Contamination Control: Drive rigorous 5S practices across all manual decks and mixing rooms to eliminate dust/dirt contamination, organize chemicals/abrasives, and optimize point-of-use material flow.
• Safety & Ergonomics: Partner with Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) to mitigate VOC exposure hazards, ensure proper management of combustible materials, and resolve physical ergonomic risks at manual workstations.
• Continuous Improvement: Lead cross-functional Kaizen events and execute cost-reduction projects specific to the paint shop environment.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Chemical, Manufacturing or Industrial Engineering
• Experience: 3+ years of engineering experience directly supporting a manufacturing paint shop, with exposure to both manual processes and automated application cells.
• Technical Skills:
  
  • Deep understanding of fluid and sealer applications, paint defect identification, and contamination control protocols.
  • Proficiency in Lean Manufacturing, 5S methodologies, and Kaizen facilitation.
  • Strong background in structured problem solving (8D, Ishikawa) and Statistical Process Control (SPC).
  • Experience conducting time studies, line balancing, and ergonomic risk assessments.
• Communication: Ability to write clear technical documentation and effectively train, audit, and collaborate with shop-floor paint technicians, maintenance teams, and external contractors.

Pay Disclosure

The salary range for this role is $78,200-$97,700 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 September 12th, 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

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.