Sr. Technical Program Manager, Battery Structures/Body

Rivian • Irvine, CA

11h

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.

As Vehicle Hardware Engineering (VHE) Sr. Technical Program Manager – Body / Battery Structures, you will have the responsibility of managing the development and delivery of structural sub-systems (Body Structures and/or Battery Structures) from concept to market execution within the program timeline and established cost, mass, investment, quality, and performance targets. A successful candidate exhibits a proactive, positive attitude towards difficult engineering challenges. In this role, you will collaborate with cross-functional teams to align on overall program deliverables and report on status and risks to ensure visibility across teams.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s in engineering or equivalent technical degree.
• 5+ years’ experience of automotive product development with focus on Body Structures & Closures and/or Battery Structures, ideally experiencing at least 1 full vehicle or major sub-system launch.
• Detailed knowledge of the automotive design and development process, system requirements, and general engineering best practices, including tooling and manufacturing readiness for structural systems.
• Proven ability and eagerness to lead a multi-disciplinary, cross-functional team through a fast-paced, dynamic environment with a high degree of ambiguity.
• Outstanding communication skills for both detailed technical discussions and high-level executive audiences, including clear framing of tradeoffs and recommendations.
• Demonstrated ability to solve problems using a first-principles approach.
• Excellent commercial and financial awareness, with experience framing decisions in terms of cost, timing, risk, and performance.
• Strong command of program planning and tracking tools (e.g. MS Project, Smartsheet, Jira or equivalent); capable of building and managing integrated sub-system schedules and critical paths.
• Knowledge of materials, processes, and technologies used to deliver structural hardware engineering content.
• Knowledge in operating CAD systems, with preference towards CATIA experience.
• Travel Requirements: As needed (~10%) based on production support, supplier engagement, and launch priorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead a matrix organization to ensure delivery of body and/or battery structural sub-systems through the complete Rivian Development Process.
• Own the integrated sub-system development timing plan including supplier sourcing, surface and engineering release, virtual validation loops, tooling timing, part maturation, and validation.
• Manage key performance metrics including issues and change management, cost, mass, quality, validation, and sub-system performance.
• Champion and drive cross-functional issue resolution (RCs), change management (CRs/CAs), Deviations (DVI), and large program changes (PCCR) for structural content.
• Drive key external departments (Purchasing, Manufacturing, NPI/Launch, Finance, Quality, Attributes, Studio, Vehicle Programs, and other PD functions) towards alignment on program execution direction.
• Support sub-system imperative balance, framing structural tradeoffs across cost, mass, timing, investment, risk, manufacturability, safety, and attribute performance.
• Verify all body and/or battery structural components and systems meet vehicle-level requirements (crash, durability, stiffness, NVH, etc.) and assist engineers with solving and managing cross-functional issues.
• Ensure early and continuous manufacturability and industrialization alignment for structural systems, including tooling strategy, plant readiness, line trials, and launch ramp plans.
• Lead preparation and execution for structural content at all build events (mules, VP, PP, launch), ensuring content readiness, part availability, and recovery plans where needed.
• Serve as the single point of accountability for body / battery structures program status, risks, decisions, and escalations.
• Establish and maintain an effective operating cadence and tools (dashboards, risk registers, critical path views) to clearly communicate status, risks, and recovery plans to stakeholders and leadership.
• Exhibit “Rivian Compass” in everything you do.

Benefits

• The successful candidate may be eligible for annual performance bonus and equity awards.
• We offer a comprehensive package of benefits for full-time and part-time employees, their spouse or domestic partner, and children up to age 26, including but not limited to paid vacation, paid sick leave, and a competitive portfolio of insurance benefits including life, medical, dental, vision, short-term disability insurance, and long-term disability insurance to eligible employees.
• You may also have the opportunity to participate in Rivian’s 401(k) Plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program if you meet certain eligibility requirements.
• Full-time employee coverage is effective on their first day of employment.
• Part-time employee coverage is effective the first of the month following 90 days of employment.
• More information about benefits is available at rivianbenefits.com.

What This Job Offers

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