Senior Hardware Test Engineer - Cleaning Systems

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 a member of Rivian’s Electrical Hardware mechanical team, you will be an intrinsic part of shaping new and exciting products – you will develop from concept into volume production while driving the creation of innovative, impactful, and world-class performing parts.

Responsibilities

• Lead test and performance evaluation for the sensor cleaning system on our L4 autonomous program, from bench characterization through vehicle-level validation.
• Own and operate the sensor cleaning lab, including equipment specification, procurement, capability roadmap, and test scheduling.
• Develop test plans and component-level performance requirements with acceptance criteria tied to sensor cleanliness and perception availability.
• Design, build, and instrument test benches, fixtures, and rapid prototype hardware to support design iteration and test execution.
• Own data acquisition and test automation, including instrumentation, DAQ setup, data logging, and post-processing.
• Lead root cause investigation of test failures and drive findings into design changes and DFMEA.
• Drive cross-functional scheduling and follow-through on post-test decisions, coordinating with design, ADAS, EE, and supplier teams to turn test findings into agreed actions and closure dates.
• Support low-voltage electrical integration of sensor cleaning actuators, including actuator characterization, harness definition, and diagnostic verification.
• Support system and vehicle-level sensor cleaning functional testing and feature validation test
• Strong technical communication skills, with the ability to present test data clearly to engineering and leadership audiences and drive decisions from results.
• Perform other duties as required or assigned within the scope of the position.

Qualifications

• At least 3+ years industry experience within automotive or other industries, experience in autonomy preferred, priority given to experience in sensor cleaning system.
• B.S degree (or above), in mechanical engineering, or relevant equivalent experience.
• Solid fluid mechanics and aerodynamics fundamentals
• Strong data acquisition skills: instrumentation and sensor selection, DAQ hardware, LabVIEW or equivalent, CAN logging, high-speed video.
• Ability to define a test from a requirement rather than execute a written procedure.
• Proficiency in Python for test automation and data analysis; working knowledge of DOE and statistical methods.
• CAD proficiency for fixtures and prototype parts (Catia preferred); comfortable with 3D printing and basic machining.
• Working knowledge of DVP&R and DFMEA.

Pay Disclosure

The salary range for this role is $117,000 - $175,000 for Palo Alto 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.

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 [email protected].

Candidate Data Privacy and Technology

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.  

How We Use AI in Our Hiring Process: To ensure transparency, we want candidates to know that Rivian uses iCIMS Talent Cloud Artificial Intelligence (TCAI) and AI-enabled tools to assist with screening, reviewing, organizing and highlighting profiles and applications that match the key requirements for each role.

AI does not make hiring decisions: Qualified candidate applications are reviewed by a member of our team, and all decisions throughout the process are made by humans. We use AI to support efficiency and consistency, not to replace human judgment. We are committed to a fair, thoughtful, and equitable experience for every candidate.

Participation in AI profile matching is entirely voluntary. If you prefer that your profile not be used in this process, you can opt out at any time. Opting out means your profile will be excluded from automated matching and will not be surfaced for additional roles through this system. Your current application remains active and will not be affected in any way.

Interview Integrity & AI Policy 

Our interview process is designed to evaluate your personal technical foundation, real-time problem-solving logic, and structured capabilities. Therefore, the use of assistive generative AI tools to formulate or deliver your solutions during live interview sessions is not permitted. We care most about how you think — how you make sense of unclear requirements, weigh trade-offs, and explain why you chose one approach over another. We value your unique human perspective, your authenticity, and the journey it takes to reach a solution.

Please note that we are currently not accepting applications from third party application services.