Sr. Durability Validation Engineer

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.

In this position, you will lead full-vehicle Over-the-Road (OTR) durability verification and validation, as well as road load data collection. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional partners-including durability, chassis, dynamics, and program teams-to evaluate vehicle integrity, optimize test setups, and drive continuous improvement. This position offers an opportunity to contribute directly to Rivian's mission by ensuring structurally durable vehicles for our customers. With your experience and proactive mindset, you'll play a vital role in ensuring an outstanding future for sustainable mobility.

• Execute multiple accelerated full vehicle structural durability tests concurrently at the proving grounds

• Manage vehicle durability test planning, coordination, execution, and results reporting, with a primary focus on structural durability and fatigue performance.

• Perform failure analysis & inspections of the vehicles with a primary focus on body, chassis, and suspension system durability

• Support road load data collection, component/subsystem DVPs, CAE correlation and target setting

• Manage test vehicle logistics, incoming inspections, component condition monitoring, and track scheduling to maximize durability fleet uptime

• Troubleshooting & Root Cause issues to resolve complex vehicle hardware and software issues to minimize track downtime

• Document vehicle condition, test reports, and log issues to program teams and functional groups

• • Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, automotive engineering, materials engineering, or a related field

  • 2+ years of full-vehicle structural durability testing, accelerated fatigue testing, and objective/subjective vehicle evaluation experience

  • Hands-on experience troubleshooting vehicle hardware/software issues using CAN bus tools and data acquisition systems (e.g., Somat eDAQ, VehicleSpy, CANape, CANalyzer, iPetronic, or Raptor eMBD)

  • Experience organizing DVPs, managing fleet logistics, and utilizing tools like Jira and Confluence for task tracking and issue escalation.

  • Strong capability to lead independent root cause analysis, conduct hardware/software debugging, and execute teardowns

  • Experience with vehicle instrumentation, data collection and processing is a plus

  • Experience with MATLAB/Simulink, Python, nCode or other programming languages or analysis software is a plus.

  • Proven track record of problem-solving and independent root cause analysis

  • Exceptional communication, organizational, and relationship-building skills.

  • Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-growth environment and manage competing priorities.

  • Passion for Rivian's mission and a commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.

The salary range for this role is $111,000-138,700 for Michigan 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.

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 March 27, 2026.

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 candidateaccommodations@rivian.com.

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.