Principal Recruiter, Autonomy
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. As a Principal Recruiter for Autonomy, you will be the strategic engine behind Rivian’s most critical technical vertical. This is a high-impact IC role designed for a "heavy hitter" who understands that landing world-class AI and Machine Learning talent requires more than just standard sourcing—it requires deep technical fluency, a consultant’s mindset, and the ability to navigate the most competitive talent market in history. You will partner directly with the leaders of our Autonomy team to design and execute a hiring strategy that raises the bar for talent density. You aren't just filling seats; you are architecting the team that will define the future of self-driving technology.
Requirements
- 10+ years of full-cycle technical recruiting experience, with at least 5+ years dedicated to AI, Machine Learning, Autonomy, Robotics, or related deep-tech domains.
- Demonstrated domain fluency across the AI/ML ecosystem, including familiarity with:
- Frameworks and tooling (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow).
- Specialized hardware (e.g., GPUs, TPUs, accelerators).
- Distinctions between ML Infrastructure, Data/Platform, and Perception/Planning/Controls roles.
- Proven track record of successfully hiring Senior, Staff, Principal, and Distinguished-level engineers in highly competitive markets.
- Experience influencing VP- and Director-level stakeholders, including driving improvements in hiring standards, interview design, and talent strategy.
- Strong data literacy: ability to use recruiting data to diagnose funnel friction, inform trade-offs, and drive changes in process or bar.
- Demonstrated ability to thrive in ambiguity, manage competing priorities, and operate with urgency in a fast-moving environment.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the capacity to translate complex technical work into compelling candidate narratives.
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience.
Nice To Haves
- Experience recruiting for Autonomous Vehicles, Robotics, Advanced Perception, Planning, Mapping/Localization, or large-scale ML infrastructure teams.
- Prior experience in high-growth or frontier tech environments (EV, AV, deep tech, or large-scale AI platforms).
- Demonstrated ability to build from scratch: processes, interview loops, calibration tools, and market maps for new technical domains.
- Genuine curiosity for AI research, autonomy advances, and emerging tooling, including habitually following conferences, arXiv, and technical blogs.
Responsibilities
- Strategic Advisory: Act as a talent consultant to Autonomy leadership, providing real-time market intelligence, compensation trends, and competitive landscape analysis.
- Full-Cycle Execution: Manage the end-to-end recruitment process for Senior, Staff, Principal, and Distinguished-level engineers in AI, ML, Computer Vision, and Robotics.
- Process Innovation: Lead initiatives to remove "process debt" and implement AI-driven workflows to streamline technical assessments and candidate engagement.
- Sourcing Excellence: Build and maintain a long-term pipeline of passive "top 1%" talent from top-tier research labs, academia, and industry competitors.
- Mentorship: Elevate the broader TA team by sharing best practices in technical sourcing, storytelling, and high-stakes closing.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Number of Employees
5,001-10,000 employees
