Sr. Durability Instrumentation Technician

Rivian•Plymouth, MI

16h

About The Position

This role serves as the technician lead and overseer of the Durability Instrumentation & Analysis Lab (DIAL), owning the instrumentation strategy for vehicle durability. As a subject matter expert (SME) technician within the organization, you own the instrumentation strategy for vehicle durability. You move beyond standard instrumentation to defining the sensor suite that ensures high-fidelity data is used to validate vehicle life and performance. You provide critical technical leadership by overseeing all durability instrumentation assets, managing lab operations, and mentoring the technician team to maintain the highest standards of data integrity.

Requirements

10+ years of experience in instrumentation, data acquisition, and physical testing within an R&D or automotive environment.
Expert-level proficiency in installing and troubleshooting complex sensors, including multi-axis strain gauges and Wheel Force Transducers (WFT).
Mastery of precision fabrication, including MIG/TIG welding and machining, to support the creation of custom test articles.
Proficiency in DAQ hardware/software and CAD software for designing test-critical components and custom fixtures.
Proven track record of managing lab environments and mentoring junior technical staff.
Deep knowledge of not only what the sensors measure but how they work and the fundamental limitations.

Responsibilities

Act as the primary authority for the Durability Instrumentation & Analysis Lab (DIAL), managing equipment inventory, maintenance, and the strategic deployment of assets for critical vehicle programs.
Serve as the primary lead for large-scale Road Load Data Acquisition (RLDA) and 329 rig road simulation data collection, ensuring that the physical data captured aligns with the required durability attribute targets.
Utilize SolidWorks and precision machining (Bridgeport, Lathe, Welding) to design and manufacture custom transducers and specialized test fixtures required for unique attribute validation.
Move beyond executing pre-defined procedures to develop and refine internal standards for sensor application, wiring, and DAQ programming.
Serve as the lead mentor for the technician team, elevating the department’s technical rigor through training on advanced strain gauge application and complex system troubleshooting.
Oversee the integration of onboard vehicle data (CAN) with high-speed external sensors (WFTs, accelerometers, strain gauges) to provide a holistic view of vehicle performance under load.