Staff Thermal Attributes 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 Staff Thermal Attributes Engineer, you will be the subject matter expert driving the complete lifecycle of vehicle thermal attributes, from initial target setting through final vehicle sign-off. Your deep technical expertise in thermal management systems, particularly heat pump operations and efficiency optimization, will be crucial in achieving performance goals. You will leverage strong analytical skills, including advanced simulation and data analysis, and a collaborative mindset to lead the development and execution of robust thermal attribute arbitration strategies. Your work will ensure performance targets are met and validated through vehicle program milestones and final Design Verification Plans (DVPs). This role is pivotal in fostering cross-functional alignment and resolving complex engineering challenges related to vehicle level thermal performance and efficiency.


Responsibilities

Vehicle and sub system target setting for Thermal use cases
Lead benchmark activities for comprehensive EV market evaluation
Develop vehicle thermal arbitration strategies with deep understanding of thermal
system fundamentals such as refrigerant system operation, i.e., control, system health
and limitations
Optimize vehicle level thermal performance with balancing key design dimensions: front-
end airflow, coolant loops, cabin and heat pump systems including
Optimize heat pump efficiency through analysis and mid-ambient operation efficiency
Data analysis for vehicle level testing especially on refrigerant systems performance and
health
Perform vehicle level thermal simulations for DOE studies, sensitivity studies, and what-
if questions
Support thermal attribute use case development for all vehicle programs
Interface with cross-functional teams to align on thermal HW and Control requirements
and targets
Support thermal system architectures development to meet attribute requirements with
cross-functional teams such as Studio, Propulsion, Thermal and Controls
Support Vehicle level testing in wind tunnel, proving grounds and on-road
Correlation model/simulation with wind tunnel and on-road test results
Physics based refrigerant loop system evaluation and deep dives


Qualifications

Engineering Bachelor's or Master's Degree from an accredited University with a strong
background in Thermal Science
10+ years' experience with automotive thermal systems and components in OEMs or
suppliers
Strong and Solid understanding of automotive thermal systems especially on refrigerant
systems and heat pumps and systems interactions
Knowledge on HVAC and Cabin systems
Strong fundamentals of heat-transfer and thermodynamic devices like heat exchangers,
compressors, valves, pumps, fans, and heaters along with their subsystem and system-
level interactions
Proven track record of problem solving and independent root cause analysis
Thermal chamber/Climatic wind tunnel testing experience is a great plus
Expert knowledge of HV battery, Electrified Drive unit and Power Electronics is a great
plus
Experience in vehicle engineering and attributes is desired
Deep knowledge of thermal drive cycles and hand on test experience is a great plus
Hands-on experience with 1D simulation tools such like GT Suite, Matlab/Simulink
Working knowledge of programming languages, including MATLAB, C, or Python is a plus
Excellent communication, interpersonal, and teamwork skill
Travel: 25%
Must have a valid driver's license in the state of residence that you will be
driving/operating a vehicle


Pay Disclosure

Salary Range/Hourly Rate for California Based Applicants: $154,000.00 - $192,500.00 (actual compensation will be determined based on experience, location, and other factors permitted by law).

Benefits Summary: Rivian provides robust medical/Rx, dental and vision insurance packages for full-time employees, their spouse or domestic partner, and children up to age 26. Coverage is effective on the first day of employment, and Rivian covers most of the premiums.

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.