Sr. Controls and Automation Engineer, Remanufacturing

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. 

The Rivian Remanufacturing Team aims to be at the forefront of innovation and technology in automation controls. Our mission is to build a world-class controls automation platform that minimizes development time, reduces commissioning time, and eliminates unplanned downtime.

We are looking for talented, forward thinking “hands on” Sr. Controls and Automation Engineer to join our team. You will play a lead role in implementation and deployment of Rivian controls and automation standards and best practices. Collaborating both internally with fellow Engineers and externally with vendors and suppliers is a crucial aspect of this role. We will work with robot and device suppliers to develop standard application packages for use with common end of arm tool applications such as dispensing, material handling, vision, etc. as well as assisting with RFQ preparation and reviewing vendor proposals for robotic automation equipment ranging in size from single robot work cells.

• PLC Controls and Automation subject matter expert 
• Enforce/Apply Rivian standards and best practices
• Hands On role where you will be expected to conceive, design, build (or outsource), Implement and maintain solutions.
• Manage internal and external resources to ensure Rivian best practices are adhered to. 
• Coordinate buyoffs and commissioning with integrators and on-site subcontractors
• Perform safety buyoffs of robot and operator safety (DCS, CubicS, MoveSafe, KukaSafe)
• Manage project execution and schedule by closely working with integrators, suppliers and programmers
• Continuous improvement of standards
• Develop solutions for processes which are not covered in Rivian standards
• Cycle time improvements 
• Vendor and contractor management 
• Remove roadblocks for integrators to ensure timely execution
• Own and drive equipment integration 
• Establish relationships across various departments to drive learning and cross-functional problem solving
• Create tools to improve buyoff and commissioning activities to help Rivian reduce commissioning time 
• Assist in the design and building of tools and equipment or recommend improvements to existing processes
• Verify and configure I/O and setup communication with robot peripherals
• Verify robot master, TCP validation, frame validation and payload setup
• Write, test, and modify programs and templates
• Provide technical support and direction to support personnel within the organization
• Provide technical expertise and leadership for the timely resolution of manufacturing process and product design problems. 
• Serve as a resource for cause / effect analyses, investigations, statistical studies, and corrective action planning
• Travel (up to 60%) to integrators sites and Rivian factories to perform equipment validation and commissioning support. 

Must Have: 

• BS/MS Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science or equivalent
• 3+ Years of relevant experience in the field of robotics for industrial automation
• Demonstrated team leadership, collaboration, and facilitation skills
• Intimate knowledge and experience with spot welding, stud welding, arc welding, material handling, adhesive, SPR, various vision systems, Hemming.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to effectively influence, negotiate, and communicate with internal and external business partners, contractors, and vendors
• Hands-on p roduction operations experience, in-depth understanding of how complex production lines operate with a focus on OEE (Overall equipment efficiently), error prevention, automated fault recovery.
• Proficient with industrial robot brands such as Fanuc, Kawasaki, ABB, Kuka, etc.
• Practical hands-on experience specifying robotic hardware setup and software options for a wide variety of automation solutions.
• Practical experience implementing, testing, and verifying robot safety functions such as DCS, CubicS and SafeMove as well as adhering to industry

Nice to Have:

• Ability to read, follow, and understand ladder logic
• Basic understanding of mechanical repair, computer programming, and electric circuit design
• Project planning and project management experience
• Experience with offline programming 
• Experience with project management tools (Smart Sheets, JIRA) 
• Experience developing template programs, I/O maps, and macros as part of company standards.
• Experience commissioning industrial robots out of the box in a large manufacturing installation.
• Experience physically installing robot and mounting end of arm tooling
• Experience with robot vision systems such as Halcon or Matrox.
• Experience with robot SDK packages for alternative control of the robot’s motions planners

The salary range for this role is $119,800 to $158,670 for Kentucky 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.

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 October 2, 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 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.