Sr. Design Release Engineer - Low Voltage Wire Harness

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

We are seeking a versatile and driven Electrical Distribution System (EDS) Design Release Engineer to join our team. This role is designed to be flexible, accommodating candidates ranging from high-potential entry-level engineers to seasoned senior professionals. You will be responsible for the end-to-end development of wiring harness systems, ensuring seamless electrical integration across the vehicle platform. Level and responsibilities will be calibrated based on your years of experience and technical proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and release of vehicle wiring harnesses and related components.
• Manage the "cradle-to-grave" lifecycle of EDS components, including initial packaging, 2D/3D design, and manufacturing hand-off.
• Work very closely with cross-functional teams (Body, Chassis, Powertrain, etc.) to define electrical requirements and routing paths.
• Communicate performance test requirements to the supplier, track testing status, and review results.
• Ensure that both component and vehicle-level tests are completed before part warrant is issued.
• Collaborate with manufacturing and service engineering to resolve recurring production or maintenance challenges.
• Interface with suppliers to ensure design for manufacturability (DFM) and on-time delivery of prototypes and production parts.
• Execute Engineering Change Requests (ECRs) and maintain accurate Bills of Materials (BOM).
• Support Rivian Vehicle Assembly and Tier1 builds, including on-site support for rapid design and rework for prototype / pre-production mule, electrical/mechanical static buck(s), and verification phases.
• (Senior Level) Mentor junior engineers and lead complex system architecture decisions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 3+ years of experience in automotive EDS, harness design, or electrical systems integration.
• Proficiency in CAD tools (CATIA, NX, or SolidWorks) and EDS-specific software (Capital, Arcadia, or similar).
• For Senior-Level: Proven track record of releasing production-level harnesses, supplier management experience, and deep knowledge of automotive validation standards (USCAR, etc.).
• For Associate-Level: We welcome high-potential early career candidates who demonstrate a strong electromechanical integration background, a proactive learning mindset, and hands-on harness experience-such as through Formula SAE or similar technical projects.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, iterative environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Hands-on experience building/crimping harnesses is a major plus.
• Experience in Application Engineering is a plus.

Pay Disclosure

Pay Range: The salary range for this role is $121,000 - $151,000 annually 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.

Benefits: 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 4/22/2026.

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 click.appcast.io.

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.