Staff Design Release Engineer, Halfshafts and Spline Shafts

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.

We are seeking a detail-oriented and driven Design Release Engineer (DRE) specializing in Halfshafts and Spline Shaft Design to join our Driveline Engineering team. In this role, you will own the end-to-end lifecycle of halfshaft assemblies, constant velocity (CV) joints, and splined shaft components—from statement of requirements (SOR) establishment, concept development, packaging, and detailed design through validation, manufacturing launch, and post-production support.

You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including NVH, Vehicle Integration, Vehicle Manufacturing, Quality, and Tier-1 suppliers, to deliver high-performance, durable, and cost-effective driveline solutions.

Department: Driveline Systems Engineer/Powertrain

Location:  Plymouth, MI

Design & CAD Release
● Lead the design, packaging, and engineering release of halfshaft assemblies, CV joints, boots, tripods, and splined connections (inboard and outboard).
● Conduct 3D CAD modeling and 2D drafting (Preferred), GD&T application, and tolerance stack-up analyses to ensure proper fitment and articulation across all suspension travel and steering angles.
● Optimize spline geometries (e.g., involute splines, retention mechanisms, circlips) for torque capacity, fatigue life, fretting wear prevention, and ease of assembly.

Technical & System Integration
● Collaborate with Vehicle Integration and Chassis teams to define plunge requirements, joint articulation limits, dynamic angles, and clearance envelopes. DRE will own Plunge Angle Diagrams (PADs) for each halfshaft application.

● Work with NVH and Powertrain teams to minimize driveline-induced vibrations (e.g., shuffle, boom, dynamic imbalance) and optimize stiffness and mass.
● Create and maintain engineering documentation including DFMEAs, DVP&Rs, boundary diagrams, and design rules.

Supplier & Manufacturing Collaboration
● Serve as the primary technical point of contact for Tier-1 driveline suppliers, managing technical specs, design reviews, and engineering change requests (ECRs). Interface with manufacturing and assembly plants to align on installation process and adherence to ergonomic requirements, resolve build issues, define torque specs, and optimize line-fit processes.

Validation & Quality Support
● Define physical test plans (torsional fatigue, ultimate strength, CV joint durability, high/low-temperature boot endurance, corrosion) and analyze test results.
● Lead root-cause analysis (e.g., 8D, Fishbone) for prototype or field failures related to wear, noise, boot rupture, or spline damage.

Required Qualifications
● Education: Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
● Experience: 5+ years of professional engineering experience in automotive driveline, chassis, or powertrain systems (specifically focused on halfshafts, prop shafts, or power transmission shafts).
● CAD Proficiency: Experience in major automotive CAD software (e.g., CATIA V5/V6 , NX , or Creo ).
● Technical Knowledge: * Deep understanding of CV joint kinematics, spline standards (ANSI/ISO/DIN), structural mechanics, and fatigue analysis.
○ Practical application of GD&T (ASME Y14.5) and tolerance stack-ups.
○ Familiarity with automotive development processes (APQP, DFMEA, DVP&R, PPAP).
● Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills to interface effectively with cross-functional teams and external suppliers.

Preferred Qualifications
● Master’s degree in Mechanical or Automotive Engineering.
● 5+ years of direct DRE experience releasing halfshafts or driveline components for major OEMs or Tier-1 suppliers.

● Experience with High-Voltage Powertrains / Electric Vehicles (EVs) and high-torque driveline requirements.

Salary Range Michigan-Based Applicants: $125,800-$157,200 (actual compensation will be determined based on experience, and other factors permitted by law).

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 us.fitly.work .

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.