Sr. Manager, Test & Development Vehicle Engineering Labs

About Rivian

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

In the Sr. Manager, Test & Development Vehicle Engineering Labs role, you will oversee the operation of testing labs that are dedicated to validating various attributes that are inherent to Rivian's vehicles. You will manage a team to both operate and maintain the test systems, all while delivering actionable test data to internal customers. Focus in this position will be placed on ensuring testing efficiency, data quality, and the continuous advancement of testing capabilities. This role requires a high level of motivation, as well as an understanding of dynamometers, thermal test chamber control systems, testing methodology, and product development cycles in a fast-paced development environment.

Responsibilities

• Manage a strong, cross-functional team across multiple locations and time zones; with expertise in vehicle-level testing to run labs focused on range & efficiency, full vehicle electrodynamic vibratory and thermal testing.
• Collaborate and coordinate with teams on their upcoming test requests to gain alignment on capabilities, procedures, and expected results.
• Schedule upcoming testing in accordance with company priorities and product development timelines.
• Develop and document procedures for these new labs as it pertains to test execution, safety, maintenance, and calibration of equipment.
• Review upcoming product roadmap and proactively assemble resources required for future testing.
• Ensure test results are accurate and actionable, enabling domain owners to drive improvements to vehicle performance and controls.
• Maintain operational readiness and maximize uptime of testing equipment.
• Define requirements needed to perform testing of benchmark vehicles.

Qualifications

Must Have:

• Education: Bachelor of Science (or higher) in Mechanical Engineering or another related field, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of prior experience working with dynamometers (chassis and/or engine).
• Ability and interest to travel - 25% to remote locations (out of California), 25-50% split coverage across multiple southern California test locations.
• Hands-on experience testing electric vehicles.
• Working knowledge of various types of test instrumentation and data acquisition systems.
• A proven history of project leadership, team management, and delivering consistent results.
• Familiarity with standardized test protocols such as EPA guidelines.
• Problem solving skills and willingness to actively engage in the troubleshooting of issues.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Minimum age of 21.
• No driving-related suspensions or revocation of Driver License (within a 3-5 year period).
• No drug or alcohol related driving incidents in the last 3 years.
• No more than 1 serious moving violation in the last 3 years.
• Must have a valid driver's license in the state of residence that you will be driving/operating a vehicle.
• Will be subject to continuous Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) monitoring.

Preferred:

• Experience with AVL systems (PUMA & Concerto).
• Proficient with JAMA, JIRA, and Confluence tools.
• Experience operating and testing prototype vehicles.

Pay Disclosure

The salary range for this role is $159,200-199,000 for Southern 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 28, 2026.

Equal Opportunity

Rivian 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 Privacy

Rivian 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.