Sr. Field Service Engineer

Rivian Rivian · Auto · Sterling, VA · Service

Sr. Field Service Engineer role at Rivian focused on bridging real-world vehicle usage with engineering and product development. Responsibilities include driving field issue detection, root cause analysis, and corrective action implementation for Rivian's electric vehicles. The role requires acting as a field product expert, leading investigations, developing diagnostic and repair plans, and collaborating with various engineering teams. Experience with complex vehicle systems, diagnostic tools, and problem-solving methodologies is essential. Coding/scripting experience is desirable.

What you'd actually do

  1. Act as a field product expert across Rivian’s vehicle platforms (HV Battery, Drive Units, Infotainment, ADAS, Chassis Systems, etc.).
  2. Lead structured field investigations for early-life failures, durability issues, and emergent customer trends.
  3. Partner with Field Service Technicians and Service Engineering to deliver advanced diagnostics, while capturing field learnings for upstream product corrections.
  4. Drive root cause analysis efforts using formal methodologies (5-Whys, Fishbone, Fault Tree) and close quality loops with Engineering and Reliability teams.
  5. Develop rapid diagnostic and repair plans that prioritize customer uptime and serviceability, including software and hardware solutions.

Skills

Required

  • ASE Certified Master Level Technician
  • Automotive product engineering
  • Service engineering
  • Field quality engineering
  • Reliability engineering
  • Diagnosing system-level failures
  • Formal problem-solving tools
  • Root cause methodologies (8D, 5-Whys, Fault Tree Analysis)
  • Vehicle diagnostic tools
  • CAN tools
  • Data analysis platforms
  • Cross-functional collaboration
  • Technical communication

Nice to have

  • Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or related technical discipline
  • Coding or scripting experience (Python, C/C++)
  • Linux
  • Android-based systems
  • OTA update processes

What the JD emphasized

  • 7-10+ years as ASE Certified Master Level Technician highly desired
  • Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or related technical discipline (preferred) and 2-5 years of direct experience in automotive product engineering, service engineering, field quality engineering, or reliability engineering.
  • Deep technical understanding of complex vehicle systems including electric drive systems, HV batteries, infotainment, and embedded controls.
  • Strong experience in diagnosing system-level failures and collaborating on design or process improvements.
  • Skilled in formal problem-solving tools and root cause methodologies (8D, 5-Whys, Fault Tree Analysis).
  • High proficiency with vehicle diagnostic tools, CAN tools, and data analysis platforms (Databricks, Tableau, etc.).
  • Coding or scripting experience (Python, C/C++) is highly desirable for tool development and automation.
  • Knowledge of Linux, Android-based systems, and OTA update processes is a plus.
  • Hands-on field experience supporting vehicle diagnostics and repairs.
  • Strong cross-functional collaboration skills with Product Development, Manufacturing, Reliability, and Quality organizations.
  • Effective communicator, able to clearly present complex technical issues to engineering and non-technical audiences.
  • Frequent travel (up to 75%) is required.
  • Must be able to travel in your region on a weekly basis.
  • Commitment to travel up to 75% throughout Northern California and Northwest Nevada.