About RivianRivian 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 SummaryThe Battery Cell Modeling Engineer is a key technical role within the Battery Cell Engineering team. You will be responsible for advancing Rivian's cell-level reduced-ordermodeling capabilities, linking cell testing data and physical modeling results to program decisions and cross-functional workflows across cell development, pack thermal, BMS algorithms, and vehicle performance.
Responsibilities- This role will lead the development and validation of performance models for battery cells, with a specific emphasis on their application in battery system and control design
- You will contribute to the development of accurate models that capture the transient behavior of cells under various operating conditions, enabling Rivian to achieve the following: Developing Robust Control Algorithms: Predicting cell behavior in real-time allows for the design of effective control strategies for temperature regulation, voltage balancing, and state-of-charge estimation
- Optimizing Thermal Management Systems: Simulating heat generation and dissipation within cells enables the design of efficient cooling systems that prevent thermal runaway and extend cell life
- Improving Voltage Control: Modeling voltage dynamics allows for the development of precise voltage control algorithms that enhance cell performance and prevent overcharge/overdischarge
- Enabling Advanced Battery Management Systems (BMS): Accurate models provide the foundation for advanced BMS functionalities, such as state estimation, fault detection, and predictive maintenance
- Develop cell performance models including equivalent circuit models and reduced order electrochemical-thermal models at different SOH, SOC, and temperatures
- Analyze the test data and develop simplified models to mimic various aging/performance data sets that can be used in controls algorithms
- Develop innovative numerical techniques to improve speed and accuracy of model and guide design of experiments for optimal utilization of resources
- Work with battery systems and software engineers to integrate models in SOC, SOH, SOP algorithms software
- Work with thermal modeling engineers to integrate battery thermal behavior especially the non-uniformity in the temperature distribution within the battery pack and support improvements in the battery thermal management system
- Work with vehicle and battery systems engineers and model to decompose vehicle level requirements to cell level requirements
Qualifications- M.S. in applied mathematics, physics, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, or a closely related field; PhD preferred.
- 5+ years of relevant experience in modeling and simulation of complex physical systems, with a significant background in lithium ion batteries.
- Deep understanding of reduced order battery modeling techniques, including equivalent circuit modeling and advanced fitting and optimization algorithms
- Strong expertise in lithium-ion battery operating principles, including charge transport, reaction kinetics, heat generation mechanisms, and the impact of cell design and usage conditions on performance, safety, and lifetime.
- Familiarity with battery test methods and practices, including instrumentation, data acquisition, and data analysis
- Excellent communication skills, with a track record of driving alignment across cross-functional teams through clear written and verbal communication of complex technical topics.
Pay DisclosureThe salary range for this role is USD 107,800 - 134,800 for California based applicants. This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee's position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, shift, and organizational needs.
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.
You can apply for this role through careers.rivian.com (or through internal-careers-rivian.icims.com if you are a current employee). This job is not expected to be closed any sooner than February 20, 2026.
Equal OpportunityRivian is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information or characteristics, physical or mental disability, marital/domestic partner status, age, military/veteran status, medical condition, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Rivian is committed to ensuring that our hiring process is accessible for persons with disabilities. If you have a disability or limitation, such as those covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, that requires accommodations to assist you in the search and application process, please email us at
Candidate Data PrivacyRivian may collect, use and disclose your personal information or personal data (within the meaning of the applicable data protection laws) when you apply for employment and/or participate in our recruitment processes ("Candidate Personal Data"). This data includes contact, demographic, communications, educational, professional, employment, social media/website, network/device, recruiting system usage/interaction, security and preference information. Rivian may use your Candidate Personal Data for the purposes of (i) tracking interactions with our recruiting system; (ii) carrying out, analyzing and improving our application and recruitment process, including assessing you and your application and conducting employment, background and reference checks; (iii) establishing an employment relationship or entering into an employment contract with you; (iv) complying with our legal, regulatory and corporate governance obligations; (v) recordkeeping; (vi) ensuring network and information security and preventing fraud; and (vii) as otherwise required or permitted by applicable law.
Rivian may share your Candidate Personal Data with (i) internal personnel who have a need to know such information in order to perform their duties, including individuals on our People Team, Finance, Legal, and the team(s) with the position(s) for which you are applying; (ii) Rivian affiliates; and (iii) Rivian's service providers, including providers of background checks, staffing services, and cloud services.
Rivian may transfer or store internationally your Candidate Personal Data, including to or in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the European Union and in the cloud, and this data may be subject to the laws and accessible to the courts, law enforcement and national security authorities of such jurisdictions.
Please note that we are currently not accepting applications from third party application services. 
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