Sr. Durability Validation 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.

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, Vehicle Spy, 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 $,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.

• Paid vacation
• Paid sick leave
• Life insurance
• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Short-term disability insurance
• Long-term disability insurance
• 401(k) Plan
• Employee Stock Purchase Program
• Full-time employee coverage effective on first day of employment
• Part-time employee coverage effective the first of the month following 90 days of employment

More information about benefits is available at

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,…