Mechanical Design Engineer - Interior D… at Rivian

What you'd actually do

Support the engineering interface with Rivian Design Studio by implementing assigned actions from Studio reviews into feasible engineering designs, while learning to communicate technical constraints and surface feasibility clearly.

Create and manage 3D geometric designs and 2D drawings using Catia V6 / 3DEXPERIENCE, supporting the development of center console and door trim components and assemblies that meet functional, packaging, appearance, and manufacturing requirements.

Deliver components to specification by applying first-principles engineering, supporting the definition of requirements and load cases, and contributing to DFMEA development for your area of ownership.

Understand system and component interfaces and work cross-functionally with adjacent teams to resolve design requirements, packaging conflicts, and attribute trade-offs.

Support virtual and physical validation of designs by working with CAE and test teams, using simulation results and test feedback to improve concept maturity and design robustness.

Skills

Required

Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline
Engineering experience (internships, co-ops, or initial full-time role)
Proficiency in CAD (Catia preferred)
Ability to create and manage 3D models, sections, annotations, and basic drawings
Introductory to basic understanding of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T)
Familiarity with DFMEA process and component-level validation
Foundational understanding of design for manufacturing, material selection, and common manufacturing processes
Ability to communicate ideas clearly
Work effectively across functions
Contribute constructively to technical discussions and decisions
Self-motivated, organized
Able to manage day-to-day work with appropriate guidance
Curious, hands-on, eager to learn quickly

Nice to have

Automotive product development experience
Interior trim, center console, or door trim component experience

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 Mechanical Engineer within the Door Trim and Center Console Engineering team, you will support the design, development, and launch of Center Console and Door Trim components and sub-assemblies for current and future vehicle programs. You will work across the product development cycle from concept through validation and release, partnering with Studio, Design Engineers, CAE, validation, manufacturing, suppliers, and cross-functional engineering teams to deliver high-quality, manufacturable solutions across highly visible interior systems. This role is scoped and calibrated for a Mechanical Design Engineer I, meaning a strong early-career engineer who can execute day-to-day work autonomously, develops parts with direction and coaching, and knows when to seek help or escalate. Responsibilities Studio Interface: Support the engineering interface with Rivian Design Studio by implementing assigned actions from Studio reviews into feasible engineering designs, while learning to communicate technical constraints and surface feasibility clearly. Design & Engineering: Create and manage 3D geometric designs and 2D drawings using Catia V6 / 3DEXPERIENCE, supporting the development of center console and door trim components and assemblies that meet functional, packaging, appearance, and manufacturing requirements. Design to Requirements: Deliver components to specification by applying first-principles engineering, supporting the definition of requirements and load cases, and contributing to DFMEA development for your area of ownership. Interfaces & Cross-Functional Integration: Understand system and component interfaces and work cross-functionally with adjacent teams to resolve design requirements, packaging conflicts, and attribute trade-offs. Simulation & Validation: Support virtual and physical validation of designs by working with CAE and test teams, using simulation results and test feedback to improve concept maturity and design robustness. Design Release: Lead design work for individual center console and door trim components to achieve timely releases that meet design-for-manufacturing inputs from suppliers, manufacturing, and internal stakeholders. Problem Solving: Apply disciplined root cause analysis to component and assembly issues, work with supporting teams and labs as needed, and help drive practical corrective actions to closure. Supplier Collaboration: Support technical reviews with suppliers, document actions and deliverables clearly, and help hold suppliers accountable to timing and engineering commitments. Standards & Quality: Learn and apply Rivian and industry standards, including DFM, GD&T, validation requirements, and relevant design rules, to deliver quality parts and drawings. Team Contribution: Communicate clearly, stay flexible as priorities evolve, and contribute positively within a fast-moving development environment while continuing to build technical depth and ownership. Qualifications Education: A Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related engineering discipline. Experience: engineering experience, including internships, co-ops, or an initial full-time engineering role. Automotive product development experience is preferred, especially in interior trim, center console, door trim, or related components. Engineering Fundamentals: Strong first-principles foundation and the ability to translate requirements into practical design solutions for components and assemblies. CAD Proficiency: Proficiency in CAD, with experience in Catia preferred or the demonstrated ability to become skilled in Catia quickly. Ability to create and manage 3D models, sections, annotations, and basic drawings. GD&T: Introductory to basic understanding of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing, with willingness and ability to continue developing drawing and gage-design knowledge. DFMEA & Validation: Familiarity with the DFMEA process and component-level validation, with the ability to contribute effectively under guidance. Manufacturing Awareness: Foundational understanding of design for manufacturing, material selection, and common manufacturing processes used for automotive interior components such as injection molding, wrapping, joining, and assembly. Communication & Collaboration: Ability to communicate ideas clearly, ask good questions, work effectively across functions, and contribute constructively to technical discussions and decisions. Work Style: Self-motivated, organized, and able to manage day-to-day work with appropriate guidance, while showing judgment about when to ask for help and when to escalate risks. Mindset: Curious, hands-on, and eager to learn quickly in a demanding environment, with a strong drive to develop into a high-performing design and release engineer. Pay Disclosure The salary range for this role is $85,400 - $94,900 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 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.