Battery Test and Validation Manager - Mechanical and Structural

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

Every electric-vehicle propulsion battery pack must pass a comprehensive validation plan, including accelerated life, shock, vibration, and structural load testing and demonstrate that it meets all requirements and performance attributes before entering production. We’re looking for a seasoned vibration and structural testing expert to lead validation efforts for our next-generation propulsion battery packs.

As the Battery Test & Validation Manager, you’ll own the mechanical and structural test strategy from first principles through execution and lead a team of test and validation engineers. You’ll apply deep technical domain expertise to shock, vibration, and structural dynamics challenges and translate that expertise into validation plans that withstand scrutiny from every group with a stake in the outcome.

This is a highly cross-functional role. You’ll partner with design, CAE, structures, vehicle loads, vehicle test, design-for-reliability, battery pack manufacturing, and business teams. You’ll align groups with differing priorities and drive test plans that are technically sound and compliant with test standards.

This role can be based in Normal, IL or Tustin, CA.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team focused on component and system-level mechanical, structural dynamics, and vibration testing, overseeing test implementation, reporting, and data analysis.
• Develop validation strategies and create design validation plans in coordination with diverse cross-functional partners.
• Track progress on the testing and analysis, and drive the mitigation of design concerns using first principles, data and analysis of results.
• Oversee the design, review, and procurement of fixtures required for test execution.
• Guide test-profile and instrumentation strategies, including the layout, installation, and calibration of strain gauges, accelerometers, and high-speed cameras.
• Ensure that standards are met when post-processing and interpreting time-series and frequency-domain data and extracting key structural metrics such as fatigue limits, damping ratios, stiffness, and plastic deformation.
• Partner with CAE teams to deliver high-quality empirical data that supports model correlation and simulation validation.
• Review and approve test reports and post-test findings, clearly communicating results and recommendations to design owners and cross-functional stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, engineering mechanics, aerospace engineering, or a related technical field; an advanced degree is a plus.
• 7+ years of relevant experience in mechanical or structural system validation and test engineering, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Hands-on experience operating mechanical test equipment, including electrodynamic or hydraulic shakers and multi-axis vibration tables.
• Demonstrated ability to guide and mentor engineering talent, fostering professional growth while aligning daily technical tasks with key team objectives.
• Ability to work effectively with limited supervision while maintaining a focus on high-level objectives.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with experience preparing clear technical reports and presenting data-driven recommendations.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as needed, up to approximately 30%.

Preferred Qualifications

• Deep domain knowledge and experience in shock and vibration testing, structural dynamics, root-cause analysis, and mechanical failure investigation.
• Hands-on experience validating high-voltage lithium-ion battery packs, EV automotive systems, or similarly complex electromechanical systems.
• Working knowledge of international testing standards and industry best practices for vibration and structural testing.
• A track record of being able to make a compelling case for change to others and securing stakeholder buy-in early

Pay Disclosure

The salary range for this role is USD 114,100 - 142,600 for Illinois based applicants.

The salary range for this role is USD 125,000 - 156,200 for California 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 November 20, 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.

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.