Chassis Senior Mechanical Engineer - Suspension California

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.

The Chassis Design Engineer will be responsible for the product development of key suspension components (Dampers, Springs, Anti‑Roll Bars, and Bushings) for Rivian Electric Adventure vehicles. Working within the Rivian Chassis Vehicle Hardware Engineering Organization under the supervision of Lead Engineers and Senior Management, this role requires overseeing suspension projects from the initial concept stage through to production release, including crucial pre‑series build support and achieving engineering sign‑off.

The ideal candidate must possess a solid foundational engineering skill set, demonstrate strong self‑management capabilities alongside excellent teamwork, and bring genuine enthusiasm and curiosity about chassis design and technologies, fueled by a genuine interest in EVs and Adventure Vehicles.

• System and Component Design, Supplier Interface, Program Implementation and Engineering deliverables sign off for suspension components according to cascaded vehicle level requirements and attributes.
• Seek solutions to technical challenges & problem solve issues arising during the suspension development in serial production
• Key interface to Attributes teams, including Vehicle Dynamics, NVH, Safety, Mass etc.
• Understand, interpret and ensure suspension components and subsystems meet all local, regional and international homologation requirements for markets into which Rivian vehicles will be offered.
• Deliver suspension programs according to Rivian standards and guidelines.
• Create and develop engineering specification packages that effectively communicate to internal and external partners to ensure products meet given project parameters
• Maintain and manage component and vehicle level sub system design verification requirements & testing
• Complete and release suspension component documentation, including 3D Models + 2D drawings
• Manage designed parts in the virtual environment and support virtual build and release activities
• Develop collaborative relationships with suppliers and manage them to deliver projects on time and to specification
• Working confidently in CATIA 3DX environment performing; assembly, packaging, measurement, surfacing GSD, drawings
• Evaluating suspension designs with CAE software.
• Working with nominated supplier after sourcing to develop suspension designs, balancing supplier and plant requirements whilst protecting suspension attribute targets
• Confidently contribute towards design compromise discussions between plant and supplier.
• Effectively balance multiple projects, responsibilities, and tasks simultaneously
• Meet program timing & budget constraints whilst achieving mass, vehicle dynamics, crash, aero, NVH and chassis attribute targets
• Define validation procedures to ensure only optimized, integrated and robust designs are released
• Travel as necessary to support testing, supplier visits and production engineering support

• Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Mechanical Engineering
• 3 years’ experience in a chassis design and/or development role at an OEM
• Must be familiar with DFMEA/DVPR usage and review of these documents
• Strong experience using CAD (ideally CATIA V6) required
• Demonstrable Knowledge of GD&T, Material Selection, Design Decision Matrices, Root Cause Analysis, Manufacturing methods for suspension components
• Fundamental knowledge of chassis design, vehicle dynamics, suspension alignment and design contributors to vehicle level performance
• Understanding of suspension design standards used across the industry
• Candidates should be self‑motivated and able to work in a fast‑paced team environment
• Excellent communication skills, able to…