Senior Engineer, Supplier Development - Exteriors

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 Rivian Supply Chain team is looking for highly motivated technical professionals to ensure the stability and performance of our global supply chain. As a Senior Engineer Supplier Development, you will serve as a key individual contributor responsible for the quality performance and continuous improvement of an assigned commodity or group of suppliers. You will work with moderate autonomy to ensure that supplier manufacturing capabilities meet design requirements and that quality expectations are strictly followed.

In this role, you will drive results by proactively identifying challenges at the supplier level and proposing actionable solutions to remove risks before they impact production. You are expected to lead the APQP/PPAP process for your assigned area and maintain strong relationships with direct counterparts to resolve recurring issues. This position is based at a site in Plymouth, MI, Normal, IL or Irvine, CA with a 30–40% domestic and international travel requirement and reports to the Senior Manager of Supplier Development.

• Own the quality performance for exterior components, maintaining “Low‑to‑No Risk” (CL3) status and overseeing action plans for CL2 suppliers to prevent regression.
• Proactively identify challenges and propose specific solutions to remove risks before they impact production, using problem‑solving tools such as 5‑Why, Fishbone, and Is/Isn’t.
• Own and lead the APQP/PPAP process for assigned parts, ensuring suppliers meet all technical and documentation standards and delivering mandatory quality milestones on time.
• Act as the technical owner for the industrialization of assigned suppliers and manage the final quality sign‑off process, influencing peer work with data‑driven insights.
• Operate with moderate autonomy to drive improvements and results within an assigned scope or commodity, and use data‑driven logic to propose solutions that eliminate risk.

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical field and a minimum of 3 years of relevant supplier development experience.
• Experience managing commodities and understanding economic and technology impacts on supply chain performance.
• Preferred experience in Automotive Exterior components, A‑Class Surface Parts with gloss and color requirements, and manufacturing processes such as Injection & Blow Molding and Sheet Metal Forming.
• Advanced knowledge of manufacturing techniques and supplier performance ownership.
• Strong communication skills, capable of aligning larger working groups and defusing conflicts.
• Track record of managing KPIs and successfully mitigating quality risks.
• Self‑directed, able to prioritize personal tasks to meet area‑specific milestones on time.
• Expected to travel domestically and internationally 30–40% of the year.

The salary range for this role is $89,900 – $112,400 for Plymouth, Michigan and Normal, Illinois based applicants and $98,500 – $123,100 for Irvine, California based applicants. Salary will be based on competence, education, experience, and geographic location, among other factors. Eligible employees may receive annual performance bonus and equity awards.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package to full‑time and part‑time employees, their spouses or domestic partners, and children up to age 26. Benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, life, medical, dental, vision, short‑term disability, and long‑term disability insurance, among others. Eligible employees can participate in Rivian’s 401(k) Plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program. Full‑time coverage starts on the first day of employment;

part‑time coverage…