Engineering Intern - Electrical Machine Design

Rivian • Irvine, CA

10h • $26 - $45

About The Position

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.

Role Summary

Internship Term:
Rivian internships are experiences optimized for student candidates. To be eligible, you must be an undergraduate or graduate student in an accredited program during the internship term with an expected graduation date between Decmeber 2026 through 2028. Rivian's Internship Program requires active student enrollment. Information regarding your expected degree completion date is collected solely to verify eligibility and determine your availability for future full-time opportunities. Rivian is an equal opportunity employer and does not use graduation dates to determine the age of applicants or as a basis for discriminatory hiring decisions.
If you are not pursuing a degree, please see our full time positions on our Rivian careers site.
Note that if your university has specific requirements for internship programs, it is your responsibility to fulfill those requirements.
This posting will be accepting applicants through February 10th 2026.

Rivian is looking for a motivated and talented Motor Electromagnetic Design Intern to support the development of next-generation electric traction motors for our adventure-focused vehicles. This role offers the opportunity to contribute directly to the efficiency and performance of the electric powertrain, improving acceleration, range, and overall reliability for the final product. The ideal candidate will use their skills in simulation and design to help optimize the core technology that drives Rivian forward.

Requirements

• Must be currently pursuing a PhD degree at an accredited university
• Actively pursuing a degree or one closely related in Electrical Engineering.
• Core Technical Knowledge: A solid understanding of electrical engineering is essential, including core subjects like circuit theory, electromagnetics, and control systems. Coursework related specifically to electric machines, finite element analysis, power systems design, and power electronics is preferred.
• Software Skills: Proficiency with industry-standard software and tools is a key requirement. This often includes experience with software like MATLAB/Simulink, ANSYS Maxwell, Jmag, CAD tools.
• Hands-on and Lab Skills: The ability to apply theoretical knowledge in a practical setting is crucial. This includes hands-on experience using basic lab equipment like oscilloscopes, digital multimeters, and signal generators, as well as strong troubleshooting skills to identify and resolve issues.
• Other Skills: Strong interpersonal and communication skills are essential for collaborating within cross-functional teams (e.g., with mechanical or software engineers).
• Ability to work 40 or more hours per week.

Responsibilities

• Motor parametric modeling using FEA simulation software: The intern is responsible for developing new motor designs or improving existing ones using advanced electromagnetic simulation and modeling software like ANSYS Maxwell, MotorCAD, or JMAG. This involves parametric modeling and running simulations to optimize motor efficiency, performance, torque, and reliability based on system requirements.
• Collaboration with Cross-functional Teams: work closely with a variety of other engineers, including mechanical, thermal, motor control, and manufacturing specialists. This ensures that the motor design integrates seamlessly with the overall system, considering factors like thermal management, mechanical constraints, and manufacturing feasibility.
• Technical Documentation and Manufacturing Support: Preparing detailed technical documentation, including schematics, drawings, design specifications, and design reports, is a critical duty. You may also provide direct technical support to manufacturing and production teams to aid assembly, quality control, and troubleshooting activities.
• Correlation and Data Analysis: The role involves supporting the testing of motor prototypes and develop procedures to validate the designs. The intern will analyzes the collected test data to verify performance against simulation data, troubleshoots any issues, and iterates on the design as necessary.
• Benchmarking: An intern working on the benchmarking of competitor traction motors will primarily support engineers in gathering and analyzing technical performance data from competitor products. Their core tasks involve collecting information from sources like market research reports and technical documentation, using data analysis tools to compare key metrics (e.g., efficiency, power density, cost) against internal products, and helping to identify performance gaps or areas for improvement.

Benefits

• We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including but not limited to paid vacation, paid sick leave, and medical insurance benefits. More information about benefits is available at rivianbenefits.com

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees