Sr. Materials Engineer

Rivian•Irvine, CA

16h•Remote

About The Position

In this role, you will provide technical guidance for mold-in-color, painted plastics, and finished materials. Partnering closely with Product Development and Color Materials & Finishes (CMF), you will bridge design intent with engineering feasibility guiding materials from early prototyping through validation and production.

Requirements

B.S. in Materials Science, Engineering, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
5–7+ years of materials engineering experience, with a focus on mold-in-color and painted plastics (automotive experience preferred).
Knowledge of decorative materials (plated components, real wood, aluminum), polymeric films, textiles, composites, or natural fibers is a plus.
Proven ability to manage multiple complex material projects, solve technical issues using first principles, and work directly with global vendors.
Strong written and verbal communication skills across cross-functional, multi-site teams; meticulous in testing documentation and data management.
Sound commercial/financial awareness, proficiency with Google Workspace, and ability to travel up to 10% (domestic and international).

Responsibilities

Partner with Product Development and CMF to drive material selection, prototyping, and production application for mold-in-color and painted plastics.
Author Rivian Materials Standards and Test Specifications, and lead material sign-offs through the Engineering Validation process.
Lead materials R&D focused on sustainability, durability, stain resistance, and cleanability.
Drive root cause analysis for material-related production issues, working directly with Tier suppliers and material vendors.
Provide material modeling data to support digital simulation and CAE workflows.
Work alongside Supplier Quality and Purchasing to evaluate, qualify, and develop material suppliers.
Apply a first-principles approach to technical challenges, demonstrate continuous learning, and embody "Rivian Compass" values.