What you'd actually do

Own the complete "Cradle to Grave" supplier quality lifecycle to ensure seamless production ramps.

Manage critical CL0 and CL1 suppliers, resolving failures to mitigate risks or delays.

Lead the breaking down of complex problems and datasets to derive meaningful, actionable results.

Apply standard, robust problem-solving tools to address systemic issues across the supply base.

Lead high-complexity APQP/PPAP projects impacting major program milestones.

Skills

Required

Supplier quality lifecycle management
Problem-solving
Risk mitigation
APQP/PPAP
Automotive manufacturing processes (Injection Molding, Blow Molding, Sheet Metal Forming)
Quality KPIs
Cross-functional leadership
Communication
Technical analysis
Sourcing decisions

Nice to have

Experience in Automotive Lighting and Exterior components
Experience with A-Class Surface Parts (gloss and color requirements)

What the JD emphasized

advanced individual contributor

subject matter expert

minimal manager input

direct ownership

most critical and highest-risk suppliers

seamless production ramp

complex manufacturing issues

systemic change

high-impact risks

technical mentor

expert-level analysis

critical sourcing and design decisions

accountability with suppliers

executive level

advocate for the team’s needs

major program reviews

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical field and a minimum of 6 years of relevant supplier development experience

Full understanding of the procurement end-to-end lifecycle

experience managing high-risk supplier portfolios

Automotive Lighting and Exterior components

A-Class Surface Parts with gloss and color requirements

Injection & Blow Molding and Sheet Metal Forming

Primary owner of the business case and execution for significant process improvement initiatives

Interpreter of information who can facilitate productive conversations and gain buy-in for a clear vision

Expert analysis and recommendations directly influence critical sourcing decisions and capital investments

Operates as a leader with minimal manager input, holding accountability for the performance of suppliers/cross-functional teams

navigates high-pressure situations by reaching beyond defined scope to solve problems

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 The Rivian Supply Chain team is looking for strategic technical leaders to drive the quality and reliability of our vehicle programs. As a Lead Engineer Supplier Development, you are an advanced individual contributor and subject matter expert responsible for the complete supplier quality lifecycle, from initial sourcing to ongoing business management. You act as a leader with minimal manager input, taking direct ownership of the most critical and highest-risk suppliers to ensure a seamless production ramp. In this role, you lead the resolution of complex manufacturing issues and partner with cross-functional leadership to drive systemic change across the organization. You are responsible for identifying and mitigating high-impact risks, serving as a technical mentor, and providing the expert-level analysis necessary to influence critical sourcing and design decisions. We are looking for an expert who can drive accountability with suppliers at the executive level and advocate for the team’s needs in major program reviews. This position is based on site in Plymouth, MI, Normal, IL or Irvine, CA with a 30-40% domestic and international travel requirement and reports to Senior Manager of Supplier Development. Responsibilities Supplier Management: Own the complete "Cradle to Grave" supplier quality lifecycle to ensure seamless production ramps. Manage critical CL0 and CL1 suppliers, resolving failures to mitigate risks or delays. Problem-Solving and Risk Mitigation: Lead the breaking down of complex problems and datasets to derive meaningful, actionable results. Apply standard, robust problem-solving tools to address systemic issues across the supply base. Technical Skills: Lead high-complexity APQP/PPAP projects impacting major program milestones. Optimize supplier quality KPIs to predict and prevent future failures, aligning project efforts with long-term goals. Organizational Influence & Outreach: Act as a key advisor to program leadership, presenting and defending strategic recommendations in high-stakes forums. Drive systemic cross-functional change using first principles to persuade other functions to adopt new processes. Direction: Operate as a leader with minimal manager input, holding accountability for the performance of suppliers and cross-functional teams. Act instinctively to manage and prioritize complex workloads in high-pressure situations. Qualifications Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical field and a minimum of 6 years of relevant supplier development experience. Domain Expertise: Full understanding of the procurement end-to-end lifecycle and experience managing high-risk supplier portfolios. Commodity-Specific Experience: Experience in Automotive Lighting and Exterior components, A-Class Surface Parts with gloss and color requirements, and a strong understanding of manufacturing processes such as Injection & Blow Molding and Sheet Metal Forming are highly preferred. Technical Skills: Primary owner of the business case and execution for significant process improvement initiatives. Communication: Interpreter of information who can facilitate productive conversations and gain buy-in for a clear vision. Execution: Expert analysis and recommendations directly influence critical sourcing decisions and capital investments. Operational Style: Operates as a leader with minimal manager input, holding accountability for the performance of suppliers/cross-functional teams; navigates high-pressure situations by reaching beyond defined scope to solve problems. Travel Requirements: Regular domestic and international travel is a core part of this role, expected to average between 30-40% annually. Pay Disclosure The salary range for this role is $114,100 - $142,600 for Plymouth, Michigan and Normal, Illinois based applicants and $125,000 - $156,200 for Irvine, 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 close prior to June 12, 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. 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.