Sr. Staff Test Engineer

Rivian • Plymouth, MI

15h

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.

Role Summary

The Sr. Staff Test Engineer is a senior technical leader and subject‑matter expert who owns major portions of Rivian’s test strategy, methods, and infrastructure for powertrain and drivetrain systems. They translate ambiguous customer and program needs into scalable test solutions, lead resolution of the most complex issues on our test assets, and act as a go‑to escalation point for engineers and technicians across multiple labs and programs.
This role operates at multi‑program, multi‑stand scope: defining test approaches, improving systems and processes, and mentoring the broader test engineering organization to raise the standard of how we design, execute, and interpret tests.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, or related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 10+ years of relevant experience in test engineering for powertrain, drivetrain, propulsion, or similar complex electro‑mechanical systems, including significant rig‑based or lab‑based testing.
• Demonstrated track record operating at a Sr / Staff level (or equivalent) in: ○ Designing and executing complex test campaigns. ○ Leading resolution of difficult cross‑system issues. ○ Influencing designs and requirements based on test insight.
• Deep understanding of test methods, measurement systems, and data analysis for at least one of: ○ Durability / life testing ○ Thermal & environmental testing ○ NVH / vibration / shaker testing ○ Powertrain system performance and efficiency
• Proven ability to lead without authority: align cross‑functional stakeholders, challenge assumptions constructively, and drive decisions in ambiguous situations.
• Strong communication skills, including clear technical writing (procedures, reports) and concise, executive‑appropriate summaries for leadership.

Nice To Haves

• Experience defining or owning parts of a DVP / validation plan for powertrain or drivetrain systems.
• Hands‑on experience with testbed control and data systems (e.g., dyno controllers, HIL/RTCS, PLCs, DAQ, automation frameworks, or similar).
• Familiarity with statistical methods and data analysis tools (e.g., Python, MATLAB, or similar) for test planning, DOE, and results interpretation.
• Experience mentoring and developing senior individual contributors and lead technicians.
• Prior experience working across multiple sites or labs, harmonizing methods and standards.

Responsibilities

• Own the end‑to‑end test strategy for a significant domain (e.g., powertrain durability, system thermal, NVH, or rig‑based validation), ensuring alignment with vehicle and subsystem requirements, program timelines, and safety constraints.
• Translate high‑level attribute and DVP targets into concrete test methods, profiles, and acceptance criteria that can be executed repeatably across multiple test areas and sites.
• Define and maintain standards, templates, and playbooks for test requests, procedures, instrumentation, data quality, and reporting, and drive their adoption across the test organization.
• Identify gaps in current capabilities (rig hardware, control systems, measurement chains, data workflows) and lead roadmaps to close them through new rigs, upgrades, or process changes.
• Architect and lead the implementation of complex test systems (e.g., multi‑axis drivetrain rigs, shaker + thermal + humidity combinations, custom HIL or RTCS setups), working with controls, software, facilities, and safety.
• Define technical requirements for testbed hardware and software (dynos, gearboxes, power electronics, DAQ, safety interlocks, automation scripts), and ensure they are validated, documented, and maintainable.
• Serve as the technical owner for selected high‑value rigs or test areas, accountable for uptime, fidelity, and suitability to current and future test needs.
• Develop and review automation and data‑processing approaches (test scripts, health checks, dashboards, KPIs) to improve repeatability, coverage, and engineer productivity.
• Lead test planning for complex or first‑of-a‑kind campaigns, including sequence design, boundary conditions, instrumentation plans, and risk assessments.
• Provide hands‑on technical support for critical tests: bring‑up, debug, fault triage, and correlation against models or vehicle‑level behavior.
• Review and synthesize test results at a system level, providing clear engineering conclusions, trade‑offs, and recommendations to design, attributes, and program teams.
• Champion data quality and traceability: ensure that test configurations, calibrations, and deviations are captured such that results can be trusted and reused for future analysis.
• Act as the primary technical counterpart for your domain with Design Engineering, Attributes, Systems, DREs, Controls, Reliability, and Manufacturing/Service partners.
• Drive cross‑functional problem solving on high‑impact issues (e.g., durability failures, correlation gaps, unexpected NVH or thermal behavior), ensuring robust root cause, containment, and validated corrective actions.
• Provide executive‑ready communication on test status, risks, and options: distill complex technical detail into concise, decision‑oriented narratives for managers and senior leadership.
• Influence future product and test strategies by connecting lab findings to design guidelines, validation approaches, and test system investments.
• Mentor and coach RIV‑5/6 test engineers and lead technicians, modeling high standards for technical depth, documentation quality, safety, and ownership.
• Set the bar for how test engineering operates: structured problem definition, evidence‑based decisions, disciplined change management, and continuous improvement.
• Lead by example on safety and quality in the lab, ensuring test methods, rig operations, and work practices meet or exceed Rivian standards.
• Contribute to capability building via training sessions, best‑practice guides, reviews, and informal mentorship that raise the collective skill level of the test organization.

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.

What This Job Offers

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