Manufacturing Engineer – Drive Unit, Rotor

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.

As the Staff Manufacturing Engineer – Drive Unit, Rotor, you will design and implement all rotor manufacturing processes and equipment at Rivian's Drive Unit shop. In this role you will lead the development of new manufacturing line infrastructure, guide best manufacturing practices for product design, own new process development and equipment design/implementation at our Normal, IL facility, and own the planning and launch of a new greenfield facility in East Atlanta, GA.

The role is located at our Normal, IL facility and will report directly to the Sr Manager, Manufacturing Engineering.

• Join the team developing and commissioning the next‑generation drive unit manufacturing lines for Rivian!
• Lead and manage rotor assembly line equipment engineering from initial concepting through full‑scale production and handover
• Collaborate within ME and Plant cross‑functional teams to ensure seamless coordination and execution of projects
• Work with Product Development and Supplier development teams to validate supplier capabilities and help develop supplied material specifications for manufacturability
• Support project production line project through Design, FAT and SAT
• Responsible for successful project execution measured in terms of cost, safety, performance and delivery schedule
• Ensure equipment and process compliance with applicable standards, policies, acts, regulations and codes
• Directly lead and mentor engineers; foster an environment where individuals flourish
• Develop equipment and process specifications, assess vendor capabilities and lead supplier sourcing efforts based on data
• Provide in‑depth design for manufacturing (DFM) feedback to the Product Engineering team to ensure that assembly processes are cost‑efficient, robust and high‑quality – GD&T alignment for fabrication, metrology and assembly
• Lead research and development activities for new manufacturing technologies that address existing assembly and automation challenges
• Lead feasibility studies to aid validation of manufacturing strategies
• Partner with and manage expectations between cross‑functional teams to ensure stakeholder engagement and satisfaction with the engineering solutions delivered
• Provide technical expertise and support to enable the Operations team to succeed including training, documentation and trouble‑shooting
• Identify and drive corrective actions for process quality and performance issues
• This position requires up to 25% travel

• Bachelors/Masters/PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering, or similar technical field – preferred, or equivalent work experience
• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering
• Experience with magnet feeding and insertion, rotor balancing systems preferred; drive unit, e‑axle, and transmission manufacturing engineering experience a plus

• Deep experience in manufacturing engineering and production challenges – demonstrated ability to scope, design, commission and hand over manufacturing lines to sustaining groups
• Knowledgeable in high and low volume manufacturing (APQP, prototyping, GD&T, OEE, equipment and supplier selection, DFM, 8D, process capability, CAD and PLM systems)
• Proficient in complex electro‑mechanical system design, drive unit in particular
• Proficient in process characterization and validation using statistical tools
• Experience creating technical specifications for automated manufacturing equipment
• Experience creating process documentation
• Experience transitioning automated systems from prototype to production
• Experience with 2D & 3D software (AutoCAD, Solidworks, and Catia)
• Ability to travel both domestically and internationally…