Senior Materials Engineer - Metals

Rivian · Auto · Tustin, CA +2 · Quality

Senior Materials Engineer focused on ferrous metal systems (steels) with secondary support for light metals in automotive product development. Responsibilities include material selection, validation, problem-solving, defining requirements, driving failure analysis, and collaborating with cross-functional teams. Requires deep metallurgical expertise and experience navigating full product lifecycles.

What you'd actually do

Lead material selection and technology development for steel and ferrous alloys on all Rivian products.
Provide light-metal materials support when necessary within a broader team of metallurgical experts.
Define material requirements, specifications, validation plans, and acceptance criteria for components, assemblies, and manufacturing processes involving metals
Partner with design, CAE, manufacturing, quality, corrosion, durability, purchasing, and supplier development teams to ensure material performance targets are achieved
Drive failure analysis and root cause investigations related to mechanical properties, microstructure, corrosion, coating performance, heat treatment, joining, and forming of metallic components.

Skills

Required

Master’s degree in Materials Science, Metallurgical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field
5+ years of experience in automotive related product development environments
Experience with automotive steel sheet grades such as advanced high strength steels, HSLAs and their processing such as hot rolling, cold rolling and finishing
Strong metallurgical background in steels, including phase transformations, heat treatment, hardenability, microstructure-property relationships, weldability, coatings, corrosion mechanisms, and failure modes
Working knowledge of aluminum and other light-metal systems including casting, extrusion, sheet, forming, joining, and corrosion considerations
Experience supporting end-to-end product development
Hands-on experience with microscopy, formability testing, mechanical testing, corrosion evaluation, and interpretation of materials lab and failure analysis report data
Familiarity with manufacturing processes such as stamping, hemming, casting, forging, machining, welding, brazing, heat treatment, and surface finishing
Proven ability to independently work cross-functionally in fast-moving engineering environments
Strong written and verbal communication skills

Nice to have

Master’s or PhD in Materials Science, Metallurgical Engineering, or related discipline
Knowledge of AHSS, UHSS, martensitic steels, stainless steels, aluminum sheet and extrusion alloys, and associated joining strategies
Experience with supplier development, APQP/PPAP, DFMEA/PFMEA, control plans, and validation documentation
Familiarity with corrosion, environmental durability, and coating systems for vehicle applications
Experience developing internal material standards or design requirements

What the JD emphasized

operate with meaningful autonomy
manage multiple technical inputs
drive decisions
deep metallurgical expertise
practical knowledge of light metals
unlock improvements in product performance, reliability, manufacturability, and cost
navigate full product lifecycle problems from concept to customer experience is critical to success
Define material requirements, specifications, validation plans, and acceptance criteria
Drive failure analysis and root cause investigations
Evaluate tradeoffs across performance, cost, manufacturability, mass, and supply base capability
Support development and release of material standards, test methods, design guidelines, and best practices
Review and approve supplier technical packages
Translate laboratory and production findings into clear technical recommendations
Influence cross-functional decisions through concise communication, strong ownership, and data-driven problem solving
5+ years of experience in automotive related product development environments
Experience with automotive steel sheet grades such as advanced high strength steels, HSLAs and their processing such as hot rolling, cold rolling and finishing
Strong metallurgical background in steels, including phase transformations, heat treatment, hardenability, microstructure-property relationships, weldability, coatings, corrosion mechanisms, and failure modes
Working knowledge of aluminum and other light-metal systems including casting, extrusion, sheet, forming, joining, and corrosion considerations
Experience supporting end-to-end product development
Hands-on experience with microscopy, formability testing, mechanical testing, corrosion evaluation, and interpretation of materials lab and failure analysis report data
Familiarity with manufacturing processes such as stamping, hemming, casting, forging, machining, welding, brazing, heat treatment, and surface finishing
Proven ability to independently work cross-functionally in fast-moving engineering environments
Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain complex technical issues clearly to varied audiences

Read full job description

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 Senior Materials Engineer, Metals will lead material selection, validation, and problem solving across ferrous metal systems with secondary support for light-metal applications. This engineer must operate with meaningful autonomy, manage multiple technical inputs, and drive decisions across design, manufacturing, quality, and supply chain teams internal and external to Rivian. The ideal candidate has deep metallurgical expertise in steels, practical knowledge of light metals, and can apply that knowledge to unlock improvements in product performance, reliability, manufacturability, and cost. An ability to navigate full product lifecycle problems from concept to customer experience is critical to success. Responsibilities Lead material selection and technology development for steel and ferrous alloys on all Rivian products. Provide light-metal materials support when necessary within a broader team of metallurgical experts. Define material requirements, specifications, validation plans, and acceptance criteria for components, assemblies, and manufacturing processes involving metals Partner with design, CAE, manufacturing, quality, corrosion, durability, purchasing, and supplier development teams to ensure material performance targets are achieved Drive failure analysis and root cause investigations related to mechanical properties, microstructure, corrosion, coating performance, heat treatment, joining, and forming of metallic components. Evaluate tradeoffs across performance, cost, manufacturability, mass, and supply base capability to arrive at best for Rivian metal technology and processing solutions. Support development and release of material standards, test methods, design guidelines, and best practices for engineers, fabricators, production, and service technicians. Review and approve supplier technical packages including material data, PPAP-related deliverables, control plans, and process capability data for key metals products. Translate laboratory and production findings into clear technical recommendations for engineers, program teams, and leadership Influence cross-functional decisions through concise communication, strong ownership, and data-driven problem solving. Qualifications Master’s degree in Materials Science, Metallurgical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field 5+ years of experience in automotive related product development environments. Experience with automotive steel sheet grades such as advanced high strength steels, HSLAs and their processing such as hot rolling, cold rolling and finishing. Strong metallurgical background in steels, including phase transformations, heat treatment, hardenability, microstructure-property relationships, weldability, coatings, corrosion mechanisms, and failure modes Working knowledge of aluminum and other light-metal systems including casting, extrusion, sheet, forming, joining, and corrosion considerations Experience supporting end-to-end product development. Hands-on experience with microscopy, formability testing, mechanical testing, corrosion evaluation, and interpretation of materials lab and failure analysis report data. Familiarity with manufacturing processes such as stamping, hemming, casting, forging, machining, welding, brazing, heat treatment, and surface finishing Proven ability to independently work cross-functionally in fast-moving engineering environments Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain complex technical issues clearly to varied audiences Preferred Qualifications Master’s or PhD in Materials Science, Metallurgical Engineering, or related discipline Experience with automotive body, chassis, powertrain, battery enclosure, or structural component materials Knowledge of AHSS, UHSS, martensitic steels, stainless steels, aluminum sheet and extrusion alloys, and associated joining strategies Experience with supplier development, APQP/PPAP, DFMEA/PFMEA, control plans, and validation documentation Familiarity with corrosion, environmental durability, and coating systems for vehicle applications Experience developing internal material standards or design requirements Pay Disclosure The salary range for this role is $98,500 - $123,100 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 salary range for this role is $89,900 - $112,400 for Normal, 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 salary range for this role is $89,900 - $112,400 for Plymouth, Michigan 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). 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.