Manager Paint Operations

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. 

Our manager of Paint Operations is responsible for managing the shift, ensuring production goals are met and developing a team in our state of the art Paint Department. This role will report the the Sr. Manager of Paint Operations and is located on site in Normal, IL 

• Contribute to the creation and implementation of best practice processes. Vision, strategy, policies, processes and procedures to aid and improve operational performance.
• Contribute to new business initiatives and projects and review and communicate the impact on operational activities
• Implement all relevant procedures described in the Quality Management System (QMS) and ensure compliance
• Develop in-house systems and procedures to meet the needs of external customers
• Respond to quality issues by putting in containment actions, full analysis, poka-yokes (error proofing), and implementing short-term and long-term countermeasures
• Update quality documentation and communicate to carry forward lessons learned from quality concerns in new customer contracts
• Ensure that plant schedule for vehicle builds is fulfilled by operation deliverables
• Introduce new systems and procedures where appropriate
• Undertake internal and process audits of the Quality Management System (QMS)
• Direct reports are: Group Leaders Team Leaders and production workers
• Establish and refine quality sign-off instructions, standards and documentation
• Report against agreed quality metrics
• In conjunction with the Supplier Quality Assurance function, reduce the effect of non-conforming supplier materials on the production area quality
• Produce written reports and make presentations
• Undertake continuous training and development
• Perform root cause analysis and resolve problems
• Identify business improvement opportunities within the organization
• Identify and deploy the technical skill sets, resource levels and systems to deliver projects, including the engagement of external resources as required
• Develop, implement and manage key performance indicators (KPIs) for each area of responsibility
• Help set department objectives/KPIs and review and assess ongoing performance of direct reports and ensure KPIs are met

• 5-7 yearsexperience in a high-volume manufacturing environment, preferably automotive
• 5+ years of experience in a leadership role 
• Cross-functional operations in a manufacturing setting
• Experience collaborating with customers and suppliers to solve quality issues and improve processes
• 3-4 years’ experience working in a painting environment (Pretreatment/E-coat, Sealer, Primer, Basecoat and Clearcoat)
• Bachelor's Degree in a technical field or experience equivalent

The salary range for this role is $102,000-$127,900 for Illinois 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 October 16th, 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 [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.

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.

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