What you'd actually do

Demonstrate expert control over a specialized fleet, including Telehandlers, 360° Rotators, and High-Capacity Forklifts within a fast-paced industrial landscape.

Utilize Hydraulic Excavators (20-ton+) paired with Grapples for heavy sorting, Industrial Magnets for efficient ferrous metal reclamation, and Shears for metal processing.

Perform MIG/Stick welding and utilize oxy-fuel or plasma cutting torches to repair scrap bins, modify yard infrastructure, and maintain equipment attachments.

Maintain consistent productivity and material flow while working outdoors year-round, regardless of environmental conditions.

Act as the primary safeguard for material purity, separating aluminum and steel alloys with high precision to eliminate contamination and optimize recycling yields.

Skills

Required

Heavy equipment operation (Excavators, Telehandlers, Forklifts)
Welding (MIG/Stick)
Metal cutting (Oxy-fuel, Plasma)
Material sorting and reclamation
Equipment maintenance
Ability to work outdoors year-round

Nice to have

Experience with 360° Rotators
Experience with Industrial Magnets
Experience with Shears

What the JD emphasized

3+ years of professional experience operating 20-ton+ Hydraulic Excavators and Telehandlers

Proven proficiency in welding (MIG/GMAW or Stick/SMAW) and the safe use of thermal cutting tools for metal processing and equipment repair.

Documented proficiency in the high-precision use of 360° Grapples and Industrial Magnet systems.

Ability to successfully complete competency testing and obtain all required internal or third-party certifications within 30 days of hire.

Proven ability to sustain high-output performance in a 100% outdoor industrial environment through all seasons.

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 Our commitment to sustainability extends far beyond the assembly line. As a Heavy Equipment Operator in Scrap & Material Flow, you serve as the backbone of our circular manufacturing ecosystem. You will command high-performance, specialized machinery and utilize technical fabrication skills to ensure all production materials are meticulously captured, organized, and processed. This role is built for the resilient—those who take pride in maintaining an "Adventure Ready" facility in every season and any weather. Responsibilities Precision Fleet Operation: Demonstrate expert control over a specialized fleet, including Telehandlers, 360° Rotators, and High-Capacity Forklifts within a fast-paced industrial landscape. Advanced Material Management: Utilize Hydraulic Excavators (20-ton+) paired with Grapples for heavy sorting, Industrial Magnets for efficient ferrous metal reclamation, and Shears for metal processing. Fabrication & Maintenance: Perform MIG/Stick welding and utilize oxy-fuel or plasma cutting torches to repair scrap bins, modify yard infrastructure, and maintain equipment attachments. All-Weather Performance: Maintain consistent productivity and material flow while working outdoors year-round, regardless of environmental conditions. Quality Control & Sorting: Act as the primary safeguard for material purity, separating aluminum and steel alloys with high precision to eliminate contamination and optimize recycling yields. Logistical Coordination: Ensure seamless material movement between the plant and the yard, managing bin swaps to maintain the production "takt" time without disruption. Equipment Maintenance: Execute and log Tier 1 Daily Inspections (focusing on hydraulics, cooling systems, and attachments) to keep our fleet in peak operational condition. Qualifications Core Technical Experience: 3+ years of professional experience operating 20-ton+ Hydraulic Excavators and Telehandlers. Welding & Fabrication: Proven proficiency in welding (MIG/GMAW or Stick/SMAW) and the safe use of thermal cutting tools for metal processing and equipment repair. Attachment Expertise: Documented proficiency in the high-precision use of 360° Grapples and Industrial Magnet systems. Rapid Certification: Ability to successfully complete competency testing and obtain all required internal or third-party certifications within 30 days of hire. Environmental Resilience: Proven ability to sustain high-output performance in a 100% outdoor industrial environment through all seasons. Mechanical Insight: Capacity to diagnose and report hydraulic or mechanical issues during pre-shift checks to minimize downtime. Physical Demands Mobility: Ability to safely perform "Three-Point Contact" entry and exit from high-cab equipment throughout the shift. Endurance: Capability to work 8–12 hour outdoor shifts while managing the vibrations and physical feedback of heavy-tracked and wheeled machinery Strength: Ability to lift, push, or pull up to 50 lbs when clearing debris, inspecting bins, or utilizing welding leads and hand tools. Pay Disclosure The salary/hourly range for this role is $29.00 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. 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). There is no fixed deadline for this application; applications are accepted on an ongoing basis until the role is filled or the opening is no longer needed. 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. Candidate Data Privacy 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. Please note that we are currently not accepting applications from third party application services.