Senior Manager, Quality Management Systems

Rivian and VW Group Technology • Palo Alto, CA

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

As the QMS Manager at the Rivian-VW Joint Venture, you will be the strategic lead and governance authority of our quality management system. This is a high-impact leadership role that requires a "player-coach" mentality that requires rolling up your sleeves. We aren’t just building cars; we are building the future of automotive software. Your goal is to design and implement a lean, agile, and fully compliant QMS that meets ISO 9001 standards while supporting rapid software deployment and hardware integration. You will bridge the gap between "Silicon Valley Speed" and "Automotive Rigor" to enabling excellence at scale. This role is located with a flex working schedule in our Palo Alto, CA office.

Requirements

• Experience: 8+ years in Quality Management, with at least 3 years in a high-growth tech environment or a modern automotive player (EV/Autonomous Driving).
• The "Hybrid" Mindset: You understand the strictness of ISO 9001 but are fluent in agile methodologies and CI/CD pipelines.
• Technical Literacy: You can talk to software developers about "Definition of Done" just as easily as you talk to auditors about "Corrective Actions."
• Education: B.S. in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Communication: Exceptional ability to simplify complex regulatory requirements for a creative, fast-moving audience.

Nice To Haves

• Professional certifications (Six Sigma, Lead Auditor) are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Agile QMS Design: Develop and maintain a digital-first QMS that satisfies ISO 9001 without stifling innovation and speed. You will move away from static manuals toward dynamic, automated process flows.
• Cross-Organizational Alignment: Harmonize the quality standards of two automotive giants. You will ensure that the JV’s processes are compatible with both Rivian’s and VW’s ecosystems.
• Software Quality Integration: Collaborate with DevOps and Engineering to integrate CSMS (ISO/SAE 21434) and Functional Safety (ISO 26262) requirements into the core QMS framework, ensuring end-to-end traceability, robust release quality, and data-driven quality metrics across the development lifecycle.
• Internal Audit & Feedback Loops: Lead internal audits that focus on value-add, not just compliance. Use data-driven insights to identify bottlenecks in the development lifecycle.
• External Certification: Lead the company through its initial and subsequent ISO 9001 certifications, acting as the primary point of contact for external registrars.
• Change Management: Champion a "Quality-by-Design” mindset across the organization, ensuring that every engineer understands their role in the quality ecosystem.

Benefits

• Total compensation packages for this position include base salary, eligibility for an annual performance bonus, and eligibility for equity.
• In addition, our benefits package has been designed to support the health and wellness of our employees. Benefit offerings include Flex Time Off, retirement savings plans as well as medical, vision and dental coverage.

What This Job Offers

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