Failure Analysis Technician

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. 

Reliability is at the core of Electric Adventure Vehicles. This position sits in Rivian's Tustin, CA Failure Analysis Lab and is dedicated to non-destructive evaluation across Rivian's full product line. As a Technician in the Failure Analysis and Materials Engineering team, you will aid our technical leads in root causing critical issues, help qualify new materials. In addition, you will work alongside with other subject matter experts in varieties of materials technologies and analytical techniques that share the same desire for adventure.

• Own the lab's computed tomography and optical metrology capability, producing the high-fidelity imaging and dimensional data that drives root cause determination.
• Support programs spanning new product development, production line escapes, warranty, and field failures.
• Work as an integral member of the FA team in Tustin, in close partnership with the FA engineers at our Normal, IL production facility.
• Serve cross-functional customers across Energy Storage, Chassis, Body, Thermal, Closures, and Electrical Engineering — from battery cells and power electronics to castings, closures, and structural assemblies.
• Operate in a hands-on, high-throughput environment where the quality and speed of your imaging and analysis directly determine how quickly Rivian identifies and corrects hardware failures.

We are looking for expert-level, hands-on depth in the following areas:

• Plan and operate a variety of laboratory equipment (specific instrument training will be provided) to generate data, perform materials characterization testing, or preparation of samples, with a specific focus on polymeric systems.
• Assist on the upkeep of laboratory equipment to ensure maximum uptime and operability of the equipment.
• Cut sample sections from a variety of components, including large structural frames to small electronic components using various machinery such as Bandsaw, Dremel, Clippers, etc.
• Collaborate with engineers on sample preparation, sample potting, polishing, and etching cross sections
• Produce clear and concise reports to summarize data collected and be able to clearly present this to the failure analysis engineers and scientists.

• Experience working in a laboratory environment, including the handling and safe working practices associated with hazardous chemicals. Must be very safety conscious and uphold lab safety guidelines.
• Experience working with basic machine shop tools such as band saw, drill press, belt sander, etc.
• Experience in polymeric and metallurgical sample preparation - cross sectioning, grinding, polishing.
• Hands-on experience with optical microscopy, mechanical testing of polymers on a universal testing frame (Instron, MTS, ZwickRoell, or similar), including fixturing and specimen preparation.
• Working experience with: DSC, TGA, FTIR
• A desire to create a respectful, fun, inclusive and inspiring team and company culture is a must!
  
  Highly Desirable
  • Knowledge of and hands on experience with the following:
    • DMA
    • Etching (including handling hazardous chemicals and mixing etchant recipes).
    • Dye Penetrant/UV Magnetic Particle Testing
    • Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM).
  • Experience in the automotive industry is a big plus.

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.