Battery Test and Validation Engineer II, Safety and Abuse

About Us

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.

As a Battery Test and Validation Engineer II (Safety and Abuse) within Rivian’s Battery Test and Validation team, you will focus on ensuring our high-voltage battery systems meet strict safety, reliability, and regulatory standards. In this role, you will help establish and validate the boundaries of our technology, collaborating across engineering teams to execute, analyze, and continuously optimize advanced abuse test methodologies.

You will own the execution of critical test streams that evaluate battery packs, modules, and sub-systems under abuse conditions. From short circuits and thermal runaway events to regulatory and material testing, you will play a hands‑on role in root‑cause investigations and safety countermeasure development, helping turn complex test data into clear learnings that keep our vehicles safe

• Plan, execute, and analyze safety and abuse tests on battery modules, packs, and components, ensuring test plan alignment with the domain owner’s objectives
• Develop and refine test plans, procedures, and acceptance criteria in alignment with regulatory standards (e.g., UN38.3, FMVSS, IEC, UL) and Rivian’s internal safety requirements
• Analyze test data, generate detailed technical reports, and conduct post-test reviews with cross-functional teams
• Implement opportunities for continuous improvement in test methodologies, documentation, and data quality
• Stay current with industry trends, regulatory changes, and emerging best practices in battery safety and abuse testing.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering preferred; related field acceptable with relevant experience
• 2+ years of related experience
• Strong first principles understanding of underlying physics and governing equations in heat transfer and electrical domains
• Hands‑on experience with battery test equipment (test cyclers, isolation meters, high‑speed DAQ, CAN tools, thermal chambers, etc.) and data analysis software
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and learning agility
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment.
• Willingness to work flexible hours and travel as needed (up to 30% domestic and international travel may be required)

• Experience with battery pack design, BMS, and integration in electric vehicles.
• Experience with thermal runaway propagation testing and mitigation strategies
• Familiarity with advanced data analysis, scripting, or automation tools (e.g., Python, MATLAB, Lab View, JMP).
• Certification or advanced training in electrical safety (e.g., NFPA 70E, OSHA, or equivalent).
• Experience using statistical tools such as hypothesis testing, calculating sample sizes, and developing predictive numerical models

The salary range for this role is USD 77,800 - 97,300 for California 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,…