Sr. Battery Test Technician, Mechanical

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.

Are you passionate about the future of electric mobility and the rigorous validation of high-performance energy storage systems? We are seeking a highly skilled and safety-focused Mechanical Test Technician to join our team in Normal, IL. In this role, you will be instrumental in executing complex shock and vibration testing for our Li-ion battery modules and packs, ensuring they meet the highest standards of durability and performance.

You will play a critical role in our development process, working hands-on with cutting‑edge testing equipment and collaborating closely with engineering teams to push the boundaries of what is possible in battery technology.

• Execute complex mechanical shock and vibration test profiles for Li-ion battery modules and packs, ensuring strict adherence to test plans and safety protocols.
• Experience with EDM Shakers, vibration controllers such as Crystal Instruments, Vibration View, DPS.
• Support facility startup operations for commissioning and integration of battery test systems
• Support characterization of control system behaviors
• Ability to follow detailed drawings and test procedures and execute tasks at a high level of detail and quality
• Support development of detailed test outlines and methods
• Clean and organized worker to maintain overall shop cleanliness and organization
• Work toward achievement of program test schedule
• Automate tests for application to Rivian battery packs where applicable
• Support test engineering team with drawing and specification reviews
• Support failure analysis activities during development and throughout production programs
• Speak up for safety issues and read across activities for actions and closures
• Provide feedback related to battery failure modes discovered in testing to Development/Validation Engineers, Design Engineers
• Support technical root cause analysis and resolution of issues found during testing
• Document all test observations and collect required data
• Collaborate with test engineers to troubleshoot hardware integration, sensor signal, and connection issues in real‑time.
• Support design and modify fixtures and instrumentation for battery testing
• Design and fabricate custom mechanical test fixtures and instrumentation setups to accommodate unique testing requirements.
• Support design reviews for Product Development & Change Management, Key Stakeholder Reviews, Component Technical Reviews and Supplier Technical Reviews

• 2-year technical degree in mechanical technology field
• Minimum 5 years automotive or battery experience in related field
• Demonstrated knowledge of automated battery test equipment and test methods preferred
• A wide range of experience with automotive test tools such as Vector CANoe/CANape, Tracetronic ECU-Test, Vehicle SPI required
• Expertise in data acquisition and instrumentation (e.g., accelerometers, strain gauges, thermocouples).
• Proficiency with mechanical CAD software for fixture design - Optional
• Strong understanding of high voltage safety standards and procedures.
• Familiarity with DFSS or DRM tools (such as VOC, FMEA, 5-Why, 8-D) preferred
• High energy and self‑motivated
• Strong interpersonal skills. Ability to work effectively in a team‑oriented environment.
• Strong technical…