Sr. Thermal Development Engineer

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.

• Create development test plans to characterize, test and calibrate thermal components and full Thermal Management systems within Rivian's EV vehicle platforms.
• Conduct tests, post-processing data, and communicate results to stakeholders via reports or other documentation.
• Support technical root cause analysis and resolution of issues found during testing and help drive product improvement
• Procure prototype parts and coordinate bench setup
• Develop methods to diagnose and characterize thermal heat pump system and component behaviors under dynamic and environmental conditions
• Specify and/or develop equipment and instruments for various thermal and fluid flow measurement tests
• Automate tests where applicable
• Provide direction to the lab personnel to design and fabricate test equipment for mechanical, thermal and electrical systems.
• Execute detailed test plans, analyze results, generate reports and test incidents in a timely manner.
• Collaborate with design engineers to determine appropriate methods to test and pass/fail criteria
• Collaborate with simulation engineers to validate and refine simulation models.
• Contribute to the development and optimization of the vehicle's thermal architecture
• Develop, maintain, and enhance technical memory documents, test procedures, best practices and templates, and tracking of BoM, CTS, CTR, DFMEA, ADV Toolbox, Drawing Templates and lessons learned
• Support design reviews for Product Development & Change Management, Key Stakeholder Reviews, Component Technical Reviews and Supplier Technical Reviews
• Generate and support Thermal managements system DFMEA (design and process)
• Support failure analysis activities during development, throughout production life and after-market.
• Speak up for safety issues and read across activities for actions and closures
• Be technical lead and provide direction to lab personnel (both in house and outside) in setting up and executing tests
• Work with cross functional test teams to align test conditions and test methods for software evaluation, etc. where applicable.
• Work with controls engineers to ensure that thermal control schemes will meet thermal requirements.
• Provide feedback related to Thermal Management system failure modes discovered in testing to Development/Validation Engineers, Design Engineers

• Master's degree in mechanical engineering with upto 3 years of automotive work experience OR Bachelors degree with upto 5 years of automotive work experience
• Deep knowledge of heat transfer, thermodynamics as well as heat and mass transfer
• Thermal management performance experience directly with EV's
• Demonstrated knowledge of automated test equipment, test methods and test facilities (Bench, Labs and Proving Grounds).
• Experience with configuring and testing thermal management circuits /components / systems.
• A wide range of experience with automotive data acquisition test tools such as Vector CANoe/CANape, ETAS INCA or similar
• Experience working with vehicle high voltage systems preferred
• Knowledge of Vehicle Lab Instrumentation including but not limited to Thermocouples, pressure transducers, flowmeters, etc.
• Prior experience on Validation Process (DVPR), DV and PV testing of thermal components is highly desired
• High energy and self-motivated
• Strong interpersonal skills. Ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment.
• Strong technical communication skills (written and verbal
• ~40% Domestic and/or International Travel
• Experience with C, C++, Python, Version Control and GUI development is a plus
• Familiarity with vehicle networks (Ethernet, CAN, LIN) protocols is a plus

Salary Range for California Based Candidates: $107,800.00 - $134,800.00 (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

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 candidateaccommodations@rivian.com.

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.