Sr. Technical Program Manager - Body

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

Rivian's Body Manufacturing Engineering (ME) team designs, launches, and continuously optimizes world-class manufacturing systems to produce safe, high-quality vehicles at scale. As a Senior Technical Program Manager, you will lead cross-functional scope execution across joining, assembly, tooling, and simulation workstreams—translating program commitments into technical readiness and proactive risk mitigation.

Body Manufacturing Engineering oversees joining processes, assembly line equipment, tooling strategy, and advanced simulation across product updates, DFM studies, and program management lifecycles.

We are seeking a Senior Technical Program Manager to serve as the connective tissue across joining, assembly equipment, tooling, and simulation disciplines—aligning key deliverables (cost, timing, quality, mass, and CAPEX/ED&D investment) with structured execution and proactive risk management. This role is located at our Normal, IL facility and reports directly to a Sr. Manager, Manufacturing Engineering.

Responsibilities

• Drive the integrated program schedule for Body Manufacturing Engineering (joining, assembly, tool design, simulation, and DFM) from initial concept through SOSP and steady-state production.
• Align cross-functional teams—including Design Engineering, Supply Chain, CAPEX/Finance, Facilities, and Plant Operations—to ensure equipment, tooling, and process readiness adhere to Rivian Development Process gate milestones.
• Identify and mitigate program risks regarding cost, timing, quality, mass, and tooling budget through structured gate reviews, design evaluations, and issue resolution frameworks.
• Translate advanced DFM studies and simulation insights into actionable design and process decisions, maintaining continuous feedback loops between simulation models, tool design, and line-side execution.
• Manage technical engineering change requests, tooling modifications, and line trials for running product updates to minimize impact on production.
• Oversee tooling vendors and equipment suppliers through schedule management, buy-off, installation, and commissioning milestones.
• Establish and maintain standard program management practices (reporting cadences, dashboards, escalation paths) to translate complex engineering topics into executive-level communications.
• Support prototype, pilot, and pre-production build events to ensure Body ME deliverables and launch

readiness are actively managed.

• Leverage data and AI tools to create auto-generated reports and dashboards to reduce administrative

burden while focusing efforts on resolving real problems.

• Responsible for driving escalation topics and focusing escalation pathways on problem resolution and

productive outcomes.

• Embody the "Rivian Compass" values across all workstreams and team interactions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial, or related technical field); Advanced

degree preferred.

• 4+ years of experience in automotive manufacturing engineering, technical program management, or

body-in-white (BIW) development, with direct involvement in joining, assembly systems, or tooling programs.

• Strong technical understanding of body-in-white manufacturing processes is preferred. Knowledge of

joining methods (resistance spot welding, SPR, structural adhesive, laser welding), assembly tooling

design/build lifecycles, DFM principles, and simulation analysis (stamping feasibility, tolerance stack-up, line

accessibility) are preferred.

• Demonstrated ability to lead multi-workstream programs in a fast-paced, matrixed environment—converting

ambiguity into defined project scopes, key deliverables, and actionable timelines.

• Proficiency with program management tools (e.g., MS Project, Smartsheet, Jira) and experience building

program tracking structures from the ground up.

• Proven track record collaborating with CAPEX, Supply Chain, Facilities, and Manufacturing teams to deliver

tooling and equipment on time and within budget.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, applying a first-principles, systems-thinking approach to

problem-solving and executive-level presentations.

Pay Disclosure

The salary range for this role is $111,600-$138,700 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 10/1/2026.

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 candidateaccommodations@rivian.com.

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