Mechanical Design Engineer

Position: Staff Mechanical Design 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

We're looking for a highly motivated, experienced, multi-disciplined, mechanical engineer to challenge what is possible in the development of our electronic hardware components. Help Rivian lead the way in the future of the EV industry and develop Rivian's autonomy and driver assistance goals.

Responsibilities

• Lead the mechanical development of sensor cleaning development and testing as a part of our electrical hardware team.
• Partner with domain teams and mechanical architecture team to define mechanical component requirements and complete trade studies to optimize integration for performance, manufacturing, and service.
• Work with cross functional teams to evaluate change impacts and development needs.
• Develop testing plans and work cross functionally to define performance standards.
• Use first principles to identify and solve issues through critical thinking and scientific engineering methodologies.
• Work with our prototyping team to develop test systems to evaluate performance on and off vehicle.
• Develop and document component mechanical functional requirements based on product requirements for custom, semi-custom, and off-the-shelf components.
• Complete component design verification plans to ensure we deliver low mass, low cost, yet durable parts and modules to the vehicle program.
• Perform other duties as required or assigned within the scope of the position.

Qualifications

• At least 10+ years industry experience within automotive or other industries, experience in autonomy preferred, priority given to experience in sensor cleaning development.
• B.S degree (or above), in mechanical engineering, or relevant equivalent experience.
• Experience designing components and /or systems that include mechanism design, thermal design, PCB integration, sensor integration, user interface/user experience (UI/UX) considerations, and class A surface integration.
• Experience leading cross functional teams to innovate and drive new ideas and solutions into products.
• Be a proficient CAD designer, ideally within Catia V5 / V6 / 3DX, though other equivalent. systems will be considered. Advanced surfacing and solid modelling expertise is preferred, along with strong CAD structure/organizational skills.
• Great problem solving and communication skills.
• Lead component drawing creation including GD&T to ASME Y14.5 standards in support of worst case tolerance analysis.
• Ability to identify optimization opportunities from CAE/testing results.
• Excellent knowledge of manufacturing methods such as sheet metal brake-press and stamping, injection molded plastic, cast metals, CNC machining, 3D printing etc.
• Experience in a wide range of EV vehicle systems, automotive design and manufacturing practices, and low-voltage electrical system integration. Direct experience is preferred.
• Workable knowledge with DFMEA principles and execution.

Pay Disclosure

Pay RangeThe salary range for this role is $137,000 - $172,000 and $149,000 - $187,000 for Palo Alto 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.

Additional Compensation Awards
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

Application Information
You can apply for this role through  (or through inte if you are a current employee). This job is not expected to be closed any sooner than March 31, 2026.

Equal Opportunity

Rivian is an equal opportunity employer and…