Staff Engineer - Restraints; Airbags

Rivianis 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.

As a member of Rivian’s Restraints team within Interior Engineering, you will play a key role in shaping innovative safety products from concept through volume production. Your contributions will directly drive the design, integration, and development of high-performing, sustainable airbag systems across Rivian vehicles—specifically focusing on frontal airbags (driver/passenger), and side curtain airbags. The Restraints Engineering team is a place to be creative and technical while contributing to a culture of trust, safety, and continuous improvement.

• Airbag System Ownership: Lead the end-to-end design, packaging, and execution of vehicle airbag modules—including driver/passenger frontal airbags, and side curtain airbags—from initial architecture through high-volume production.
• CAD & Packaging: Lead product design in CATIA V6 utilizing Generative Shape Design (GSD), Part Design, and Sketcher workbenches to optimize tight interior packaging, deployment paths, and roof rail / pillar integration.
• Studio & Interior Integration: Collaborate closely with Studio Designers and Interior Trim/A-B-C Pillar teams to ensure airbag packaging harmonizes with design themes, trim fitments, and dynamic deployment envelopes.
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Coordinate across teams (Body Structure, Crash & Safety/CAE, Electrical, Testing, Tier 1 Suppliers) to achieve crash performance, mass, timing, and commercial targets.
• BOM & Change Management: Author and manage engineering Bills of Materials
• Risk & Quality Management: Lead Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (DFMEA) for airbag modules and deployment systems, cascading design dependencies to cross-functional partners.
• Validation & Sign-Off: Develop and execute Product Validation (DVP&R) plans, coordinate physical component and sled/crash test validation, and sign off on technical validation results.
• Values: Exhibit “Rivian Compass” values in everything you do.

• Domain Expertise: Deep knowledge in the design, packaging, release, and testing of automotive airbag systems, with explicit expertise in frontal airbags, and/or side curtain airbag deployment kinematics.
• Experience:
  10+ years of restraints engineering experience (frontal, and/or side curtain airbags), spanning both OEM and/or Tier 1 supplier roles.
• Lifecycle Mastery: Demonstrated track record taking airbag components through all product development phases—from early concept trade studies through tooling, DV/PV testing, launch, and service.
• Software Proficiency: Advanced working knowledge of automotive CAD platforms (CATIA, NX, etc) and Enovia PLM.
• Regulatory & Safety: Strong understanding of global vehicle safety regulations (FMVSS 208, 214, 226, Euro NCAP) relevant to frontal impacts, side impacts, and rollover curtain deployments.
• Testing & CAE: Experience with CAE occupant simulation feedback, deployment sled testing, and physical vehicle crash testing.
• Education: Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related mechanical discipline (Master’s degree is a plus).

The salary range for this role is $137,800 - $182,520 for California based applicants. This is the lowest to highest…