Senior Engineer Supplier Development - ESS/Thermal

Rivian•Plymouth, MI

41d•Onsite

About The Position

About Rivian 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 You will work alongside cross-functional teams to drive Rivian quality requirements and manage our contract manufacturers quality performance ensuring seamless scaling of production. Your contributions will directly impact the performance and quality of Rivian's products, ensuring successful launches for new programs as proper management on current ones. This role requires 50% or more travel and is based onsite in Normal, IL or Plymouth, MI.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, or other related field
3-5+ years supplier quality engineering experience
Strong Knowledge of Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), Production Part Approval Process (PPAP), Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA)
Technical expertise of automotive components designs and manufacturing, including knowledge of safety and test requirements and appearance approval process
Knowledge of Geometric Design and Tolerancing (GD&T) and datum structures
Experience in Extrusion and fabrication commodities.
In depth knowledge of IATF16949:2016 and understanding of ISO14001

Nice To Haves

Masters Degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, or other related fields
Ability to work in a diverse and dynamic environment
Good communication and interpersonal skills (Team Working) as well as negotiation skills.
Ability to analyze and present data effectively

Responsibilities

Lead supplier industrialization and readiness for ESS/thermal commodities
Support supplier selection and capability assessment for both greenfield (new plant) and brownfield (existing plant expansion) projects, ensuring alignment with program timelines and quality expectations.
Drive APQP discipline and enforce PPAP requirements, ensuring suppliers meet dimensional, material, and performance validation before production approval.
Develop and track industrialization project KPIs, including PPAP on-time approval, process capability (Cpk/Ppk), first-pass yield, and PPM targets to measure supplier readiness.
Evaluate and validate supplier manufacturing processes by leading process audits, PFMEA reviews, control plan validation, and equipment capability/Run@rate assessments.
Optimize supplier manufacturing scalability, ensuring production lines are capable of meeting increasing volume and quality expectations during ramp-up phases.
Monitor supplier industrialization performance through KPIs such as on-time PPAP submission, process capability indices (Cpk/Ppk), defect rates (PPM), issue closure rate, and supplier corrective action effectiveness.
Facilitate problem resolution using structured methodologies (focused problem solving) to address defects, process deviations, and launch roadblocks proactively.
Collaborate cross-functionally with engineering, quality, and supply chain teams to drive VA/VE cost optimization, ensuring seamless design implementation into supplier manufacturing processes and technology while maintaining quality and performance standards
Ability to understand and follow written and verbal instructions in English to ensure workplace safety, effective communication, and operational efficiency.
Up to 50% travel requirement

Benefits

Rivian provides robust medical/Rx, dental and vision insurance packages for full-time employees, their spouse or domestic partner, and children up to age 26.
Coverage is effective on the first day of employment, and Rivian covers most of the premiums.

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