Manager, Manufacturing Engineer - Material Flow

⏎ 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 Material Flow Engineering Manager at Rivian is a critical leadership role responsible for designing, optimizing, and executing the end‑to‑end material supply chain, from external suppliers directly to the assembly line. The primary goal is to ensure material availability to meet high‑volume production targets while maintaining efficiency and safety. This role requires a technical leader capable of navigating ambiguity, driving cross‑functional strategy, and implementing “first‑principles” engineering solutions across the global footprint.

This role is located at our Normal, IL facility and reports directly to a Sr. Manager, Manufacturing Engineering.

• Advanced Automation and AI Strategy:
  • Lead automation of supply chain logistics and high‑impact projects that bridge the gap between physical logistics and digital intelligence.
  • Leverage Artificial Intelligence and advanced automation to predict bottlenecks before they happen and optimize throughput in real‑time.
  • Direct the deployment and integration of material handling automation, including Autonomous Guided Vehicles (AGVs), Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS), and conveyor systems.
• Strategy and Optimization:
  • Lead the development, modeling, and analysis of material flow strategies (e.g., sequencing, batching, storage) to achieve optimal cost, space utilization, and throughput.
  • Develop models to analyze the cost, throughput, and space factors for part sequencing, material batching, intermediate storage locations, and other material flow strategies.
• Data & Systems Architecture:
  • Oversee the optimization and maintenance of cross‑functional databases to ensure data integrity for material tracking and inventory control.
  • Collaborate with IT to architect and implement digital systems tailored to support evolving operational requirements.
  • Configure control cycles and logic for FLP and PACE systems to automate material replenishment triggers. (Rivian software)
  • Strategize IT hardware requirements and oversee the deployment of technology interfaces across the production floor.
• Engineering & Layout Design:
  • Oversee the creation of efficient, lean, and safe factory layouts and material flow plans, covering all processes from receiving through delivery to the production line.
  • Design high‑efficiency warehouse layouts, including kitting cells, AGV pathways, and optimized material supply routes.
  • Specify and integrate material handling assets, including tuggers, AGVs, forklift, and custom‑engineered racking systems.
  • Partner with Manufacturing Engineering (MEs) to engineer material delivery solutions (dollies, lift tables, GFRs) that align with specific packaging ergonomics.
  • Engage with the Continuous Improvement (CI) team to prototype innovative equipment and optimize process cycle times.
• Resource & Project Management:
  • Manage cross‑functional project teams, vendor relationships (LLP), and project timelines to successfully deliver on safety, quality, and production metrics.
  • Conduct data‑driven workload analysis to determine precise headcount (HC) requirements and labor allocation.
  • Lead formal “buy‑off” procedures with Operations to ensure new processes meet safety, ergonomic, and throughput standards.
  • Drive project momentum through weekly status reporting, cross‑functional alignment meetings, and proactive bottleneck escalation.
• Documentation & Standard Work:
  • Author comprehensive work instructions (SOPs) and job cards to standardize tasks and minimize process variation.
  • Provide subject‑matter expertise during the conceptual phases of new projects to ensure “Design for Logistics” principles are applied.

• 7+ years of…