Validation Engineer - Powertrain

Rivian•Plymouth, MI

About The Position

In this role, you will join the Powertrain Engineering team to design, track, and execute robust validation strategies for our next-generation electric vehicle drive units. You will serve as the technical bridge between initial concepts, rig/dyno/vehicle testing, and full production launch. Operating in a fast-paced environment, you will be responsible for ensuring our electric propulsion systems meet the highest industry standards for durability, performance, and reliability.

Requirements

B.S. in Engineering (Mechanical, Automotive, or a related technical discipline) or similar.
2+ years of relevant engineering experience within the automotive or electric vehicle sector, preferred.
1–5 years of hands-on experience developing and implementing EV requirements and validation strategies, preferred.
Deep, fundamental understanding of electric powertrains, driveline systems, and high-voltage vehicle components.
Full lifecycle mastery of system-level powertrain Design Validation (DV) and Production Validation (PV) environments.
Proven experience working with full-service testing vendors, advanced dynamometers, and dyno-related data acquisition equipment.
Familiarity with modern product lifecycle and tracking tools (e.g., Jira, Confluence, Jama, or equivalent) to monitor features and software updates.
Excellent problem-solving habits with a data-first approach to component diagnostics and failure analysis.
High degree of flexibility and adaptability; comfortable operating under ambiguity in a highly dynamic, fast-paced work culture.

Responsibilities

Own the DVP&R: Develop, maintain, and track end-to-end validation testing plans (DVP&R) for the electric powertrain system.
Define Engineering Requirements: Formulate clear validation methods and technical requirements; leverage engineering calculations and simulations to establish baseline test parameters.
Standardize Testing Procedures: Define highly detailed, specific test instructions for internal Test Operations, review complex test profiles, and serve as the final approval authority for all tests.
Drive Testing Milestones: Collaborate daily with the Test Operations group to schedule, prioritize, and perform testing to meet aggressive vehicle program milestones.
Manage External & Supplier Labs: Support external validation efforts, including hands-on management at supplier facilities and safely operating Rivian driveline systems.
Teardown & Diagnostics: Guide the physical teardown of post-test parts and ensure rigorous visual and technical documentation.
Define Infrastructure: Deliver comprehensive validation procedures that specify necessary test equipment, specialized apparatus, and physical testing locations.
Root Cause Analysis: Lead thorough troubleshooting and failure investigations using structured Rivian methodologies; perform life and stress calculations on components to implement corrective design actions.
Data Analytics & Reporting: Author professional, data-driven test reports to communicate analytics, capture results, and outline clear next steps for the engineering organization.
Lifecycle Management: Utilize standard Rivian product lifecycle tools to manage and trace vehicle features seamlessly from initial design through to launch, steady-state production, and post-sales over-the-air (OTA) software updates.