Staff Mechanical Design Engineer, Motor

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

As the Staff Mechanical Design Engineer, Motor, you will have a critical technical role guiding and shaping the design, release, and integration of an electric motor. Specifically, technical responsibility for motor electromagnetic analysis, NVH analysis, thermal analysis, and performance analysis. You will work with purchasing to source components and work collaboratively with suppliers to ensure manufacturability at scale. You will develop DFMEAs and DVPRs to ensure robust analytical and physical validation.

Responsibilities

• Design mechanical components of stators, rotors, and their integration
• Iterate motor mechanical designs to optimize electromagnetic performance while ensuring manufacturability and cost-effectiveness
• Lead engineering on winding technologies, magnet materials, lamination methods, insulation, and electrical interconnections
• Design, model, and simulate electromagnetic components and systems using industry-standard software
• Develop detailed CAD drawings and manufacturing instructions
• Perform linear static stress and structural analyses on components under operational and dynamic loads.
• Execute and document Design Verification Plans & Reports (DVP&R)
• Develop and maintain Design Failure Mode and Effects Analyses (DFMEAs)
• Coordinate validation and quality assurance activities with Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers
• Collaborate across disciplines to advance designs from initial concept through prototyping to mass production.
• Support hands-on prototype assembly, testing, and component fabrication

Qualifications

• BS in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field; MS preferred
• 5+ years of experience leading validation efforts in automotive or high-power product field
• Proficient in CAD tools (CATIA/3DExperience preferred) and PLM systems for component design, including BOM structuring and engineering change control.
• Proficient in industry-standard electromagnetic simulation
• Strong mechanical engineering foundation, with expertise in materials, heat treatments, statics, dynamics, and mechanics of materials
• Experienced in high-volume manufacturing techniques for electric motor components (e.g., stamping, winding, welding)
• Deep understanding of electric motor design parameters and their influence on torque, power, efficiency, thermal performance, and NVH
• Skilled in FEA using tools like Ansys, Abaqus, and HyperWorks; experienced with MATLAB and/or Python for performance modeling and data analysis
• Proficient in GD&T and tolerance stack-up analysis to ensure reliability
• Hands-on experience with integration, assembly, testing, and troubleshooting of electric motors

Pay Disclosure

Salary Range for California Based Candidates: $137,800.00 - $172,200.00 (actual compensation will be determined based on experience, location, and other factors permitted by law).

Benefits Summary: 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.

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.

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