Sr. Durability Instrumentation Technici… at Rivian

What you'd actually do

Act as the primary authority for the Durability Instrumentation & Analysis Lab (DIAL), managing equipment inventory, maintenance, and the strategic deployment of assets for critical vehicle programs.

Serve as the primary lead for large-scale Road Load Data Acquisition (RLDA) and 329 rig road simulation data collection, ensuring that the physical data captured aligns with the required durability attribute targets.

Utilize SolidWorks and precision machining (Bridgeport, Lathe, Welding) to design and manufacture custom transducers and specialized test fixtures required for unique attribute validation.

Move beyond executing pre-defined procedures to develop and refine internal standards for sensor application, wiring, and DAQ programming.

Serve as the lead mentor for the technician team, elevating the department’s technical rigor through training on advanced strain gauge application and complex system troubleshooting.

Oversee the integration of onboard vehicle data (CAN) with high-speed external sensors (WFTs, accelerometers, strain gauges) to provide a holistic view of vehicle performance under load.

Skills

Required

Instrumentation
Data Acquisition
Physical Testing
Sensor Application
Wiring
DAQ Programming
Strain Gauge Application
SolidWorks
Precision Machining
Welding
CAD Software

Nice to have

Mentoring
Troubleshooting complex sensors
Multi-axis strain gauges
Wheel Force Transducers (WFT)
MIG/TIG welding
Bridgeport
Lathe

What the JD emphasized

10+ years of experience in instrumentation, data acquisition, and physical testing within an R&D or automotive environment.

Expert-level proficiency in installing and troubleshooting complex sensors, including multi-axis strain gauges and Wheel Force Transducers (WFT).

Mastery of precision fabrication, including MIG/TIG welding and machining, to support the creation of custom test articles.

Proficiency in DAQ hardware/software and CAD software for designing test-critical components and custom fixtures.

Proven track record of managing lab environments and mentoring junior technical staff.

Deep knowledge of not only what the sensors measure but how they work and the fundamental limitations.

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 This role serves as the technician lead and overseer of the Durability Instrumentation & Analysis Lab (DIAL), owning the instrumentation strategy for vehicle durability. As a subject matter expert (SME) technician within the organization, you own the instrumentation strategy for vehicle durability. You move beyond standard instrumentation to defining the sensor suite that ensures high-fidelity data is used to validate vehicle life and performance. You provide critical technical leadership by overseeing all durability instrumentation assets, managing lab operations, and mentoring the technician team to maintain the highest standards of data integrity. Responsibilities ● Act as the primary authority for the Durability Instrumentation & Analysis Lab (DIAL), managing equipment inventory, maintenance, and the strategic deployment of assets for critical vehicle programs. ● Serve as the primary lead for large-scale Road Load Data Acquisition (RLDA) and 329 rig road simulation data collection, ensuring that the physical data captured aligns with the required durability attribute targets. ● Utilize SolidWorks and precision machining (Bridgeport, Lathe, Welding) to design and manufacture custom transducers and specialized test fixtures required for unique attribute validation. ● Move beyond executing pre-defined procedures to develop and refine internal standards for sensor application, wiring, and DAQ programming. ● Serve as the lead mentor for the technician team, elevating the department’s technical rigor through training on advanced strain gauge application and complex system troubleshooting. ● Oversee the integration of onboard vehicle data (CAN) with high-speed external sensors (WFTs, accelerometers, strain gauges) to provide a holistic view of vehicle performance under load. Qualifications ● 10+ years of experience in instrumentation, data acquisition, and physical testing within an R&D or automotive environment. ● Expert-level proficiency in installing and troubleshooting complex sensors, including multi-axis strain gauges and Wheel Force Transducers (WFT). ● Mastery of precision fabrication, including MIG/TIG welding and machining, to support the creation of custom test articles. ● Proficiency in DAQ hardware/software and CAD software for designing test-critical components and custom fixtures. ● Proven track record of managing lab environments and mentoring junior technical staff. ● Deep knowledge of not only what the sensors measure but how they work and the fundamental limitations. Pay Disclosure The hourly rate for this role is $43.00/Hr to $54.00/Hr for 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. 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). 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.