Engineering Intern - Materials Engineer, Casting and Fabrication

$52,000 - $106,080/Yr

Rivian - Tustin, CA

Full-time - Intern

Tustin, CA

Transportation Equipment Manufacturing

About the position

The Engineering Intern - Materials Engineer position at Rivian is designed for undergraduate or graduate students who are eager to gain hands-on experience in materials engineering, specifically in the context of automotive applications. The intern will join the Failure Analysis Team in Quality and Reliability, focusing on material specification, testing, and qualification for critical structural components in Rivian's next-generation vehicles. This role is essential for ensuring that materials used in production are durable and crash-worthy, particularly for large-scale structural castings in the upcoming R2 platform.

Responsibilities

• Conduct in-depth analysis of large form factor aluminum castings, focusing on skin effect impact, strength, and toughness.
• Utilize statistical methods to analyze mechanical testing data, applying data science techniques to quantify and interpret results.
• Perform and analyze destructive testing procedures, such as the VDA bending test, to assess mechanical properties critical for structural integrity and safety.
• Fabricate test coupons and machine samples for characterization testing, contributing hands-on to preparation and testing.
• Work closely with the Quality, Reliability, and Supply Chain teams to align test findings with production readiness and supply chain considerations.

Requirements

• Enrolled in or recently completed a Master's degree in Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Applied Physics, or a related field.
• Strong foundation in material science, including experience or coursework in solid-state chemistry, material thermal properties, and structural durability.
• Proficiency in data analysis, with experience in statistical software (e.g., Minitab or JMP) and data science techniques.
• Practical experience in machining, fabrication, and testing of materials; familiarity with destructive testing methods.
• An understanding of automotive structural materials and mechanical testing is a plus.
• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to perform complex data analysis and present insights effectively.

Nice-to-haves

• Background in structural materials is preferred.
• Automotive knowledge related to structural materials and mechanical testing.

Benefits

• Robust wellness benefits for interns, including medical insurance coverage for interns, their spouse or domestic partner, and children up to age 26. Coverage is effective on the first day of employment, with Rivian covering most of the premiums.