Battery Test and Validation Engineer II, Safety and Abuse

Rivian•Tustin, CA

7d•Onsite

About The Position

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.

Requirements

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)

Nice To Haves

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, LabView, 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

Responsibilities

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.