Staff Thermal Attributes Engineer

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 Staff Thermal Attributes Engineer, you will serve as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) in underhood thermal performance and integration. You will own front-end airflow requirements, vehicle-level Active Grille Shutter (AGS) strategy, overall underhood thermal performance, and final vehicle-level validation for all vehicle programs.

With your expertise and experience, you will link vehicle-level thermal and charging performance requirements to underhood airflow volume and temperature targets. You will work with cross-functional teams to drive the design of front-end openings, AGS, duct optimization, sealing, and ORFM. Your work will ensure performance targets are met and validated through program milestones and final Design Verification Plans (DVPs). This role is pivotal in fostering cross-functional alignment and resolving complex engineering challenges related to thermal optimization and vehicle efficiency.

Responsibilities

• Lead vehicle level thermal benchmark activities with a focus on front end design, AGS strategy, airflow, and thermal architecture
• Drive the overall integration of front-end and underhood thermal performance with stakeholders in Design Studio, Aerodynamics, Thermal Engineering, and Controls.
• Establish front-end airflow targets using a deep understanding of thermal system architecture to ensure all charging and performance goals are met.
• Interface with cross-functional teams to develop and align on coherent vehicle level AGS strategies to meet targets from all related vehicle attributes, e.g., performance, efficiency, stone protection
• Responsible for underhood thermal DVPs for both stationary and dynamic cases on both airflow volume and temperature requirements
• Data analysis for vehicle level testing especially on ORFM airflow, temperature pickup, front end air-recirculation, etc.
• Work with cross-functional simulation teams to review 3D CFD and 1D vehicle simulation results
• Collaborate with 1D thermal simulation teams to further improve the accuracy of front- end heat exchanger performance
• Support Vehicle level testing in wind tunnel

Qualifications

• Engineering Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree from an accredited University with a strong background in Thermal Science
• 10+ years of experience with automotive thermal attributes, systems, and components at an OEM or Tier 1 supplier
• Expert-level understanding of vehicle AGS, airflow duct and ORFM at both system and vehicle levels.
• Strong fundamentals of heat-transfer and thermodynamic devices like heat exchangers, compressors, valves, pumps, fans, and heaters along with their subsystem and system- level interactions.
• Hands-on experience on automotive airflow measurement with Torrington or similar devices.
• Experience with CFD software and simulation (Element, Powerflow, StarCCM+, Fluent)
• Experience with 1D simulation tools such like GT Suite, Matlab / Simulink
• Knowledge on HVAC and Cabin systems is a plus
• Knowledge and experience on brake cooling is a plus
• Thermal chamber/Climatic wind tunnel testing experience is a great plus
• Expert knowledge of HV battery, Electrified Drive unit and Power Electronics is a great plus
• Deep knowledge of thermal drive cycles and hand on test experience is a great plus
• Experience in vehicle engineering and attributes is desired
• Proven track record of problem solving and independent root cause analysis
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and teamwork skill
• Travel: 25%
• Must have a valid driver’s license in the state of residence that you will be
driving/operating a vehicle

Pay Disclosure

The salary range for this role is $154,000 - $192,500 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. 

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.