Manager, Manufacturing Engineering (General Assembly, Advanced ME)

Rivian • Irvine, CA

1d • Onsite

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

The General Assembly Manager – Advanced Manufacturing is responsible for developing, launching, and continuously improving end-to-end manufacturing solutions for vehicle general assembly within the Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (AME) organization.
Key aspects of the role include:
Team Leadership Leading a team of manufacturing engineers.
Manufacturing Strategy Definition Defining the future-state assembly strategy, including initial concept studies, facility layout planning, and developing the bill of process (BOP).
Design & Tooling Conducting virtual analysis of product design and conveying initial equipment and tooling interfaces between vehicle design and plant tooling.
Prototype Builds Leading the design and manufacturing prototype builds held in the pilot shop.
Process Assurance Ensuring general assembly processes are safe, ergonomic, capable, and scalable.
Target Achievement Meeting program targets for quality, cost, throughput, and timing.
Oversight & management Managing team resources, planning and escalations
This role will be based in our Irvine, CA facility and report drectly to a Sr. Manager, Manufacturing Engineering (General Assembly).

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field.
• 7+ years of experience in automotive or high-volume manufacturing, with significant exposure to general assembly processes.
• 2+ years of direct people leadership experience (e.g., leading engineers or technical teams).
• Demonstrated experience developing or owning assembly processes including process flow, standardized work, line balance, and material flow.
• Hands-on experience with:
• PFMEA/MFMEA and lean manufacturing principles.
• Specification and deployment of assembly tooling and equipment (fixtures, torque tools, lift assists, gauges, automation).
• Process validation and capability (GR&R, CP/CPK, run-at-rate).
• Ability to read and interpret 2D drawings and 3D CAD, with working knowledge of GD&T and its impact on assembly.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a data-driven approach.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills with cross-functional teams and shop floor personnel.
• Proven ability to execute in a fast-paced launch environment and manage multiple priorities.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in an engineering discipline or related field.
• Experience in advanced manufacturing engineering and new program introduction for automotive GA.
• Prior ownership of GA lines or major subsystems (e.g., interiors, seats, closures, chassis marriage, powertrain install).
• Experience working with digital manufacturing tools (simulation, line design, process planning, MES/traceability, torque/data systems).
• Familiarity with EV vehicle programs or other complex, highly integrated products.
• Demonstrated success leading cross-functional projects from concept through launch.

Responsibilities

• Leadership & Management -
• Team Development: Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team of general assembly manufacturing engineers, including performance management, mentoring, and career development.
• Strategy & System Alignment: Define and develop tools to enable the team to align with the manufacturing strategy and defined ownership.
• Prioritization: Set clear priorities and roadmaps aligned with program milestones and plant manufacturing needs.
• Culture: Foster a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and data-driven decision-making.
• Technical Focus -
• Strategy Ownership: Own the general assembly manufacturing strategy for assigned vehicle programs and subsystems from concept through production intent validation.
• Process Definition: Oversee the definition and maintenance of the Bill of Process (BOP), including process flow, build sequence, and station-level work content.
• Design-for-Manufacture: Drive design-for-manufacturing assembly for GA subsystems by providing structured feedback to Product Design.
• Tooling Development: Oversee concept development and own the design and complete development of prototype assembly tooling and equipment (e.g., fixtures, torque tools, automation, gauges, and test equipment).
• Build Support: Lead AME support for prototype, pilot, and production builds, partnering with cross-functional teams like Operations and Industrial Engineering.
• Process Assurance: Ensure processes meet ergonomic, safety, and regulatory requirements, and ensure robust validation and capability using statistical tools (CP/CPK, GR&R, run-at-rate).
• Problem Solving: Drive, manage, and own structured problem solving and root cause analysis for issues identified during virtual assessments and prototype builds, focusing on safety, quality, and throughput.
• Documentation: Organize and lead the development of manufacturing documentation, including PFMEAs, Controls plans, and Process sheets.
• Integration: Partner closely with Product Design, Logistics, Quality, and other teams to ensure an integrated GA solution, and define requirements for efficient material flow, kitting, and lineside presentation.
• Reporting: Provide regular, metric-based program and launch updates to leadership.

Benefits

• The successful candidate may be eligible for annual performance bonus and equity awards.
• We offer a comprehensive package of benefits for full-time and part-time employees, their spouse or domestic partner, and children up to age 26, including but not limited to paid vacation, paid sick leave, and a competitive portfolio of insurance benefits including life, medical, dental, vision, short-term disability insurance, and long-term disability insurance to eligible employees.
• You may also have the opportunity to participate in Rivian’s 401(k) Plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program if you meet certain eligibility requirements.
• Full-time employee coverage is effective on their first day of employment.
• Part-time employee coverage is effective the first of the month following 90 days of employment.
• More information about benefits is available at rivianbenefits.com.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager