What you'd actually do

Operationalize the CE’s technical strategy by driving day-to-day execution across the zone.

Own the "Ground Truth" of the zone’s Bill of Materials (BOM).

Act as the primary liaison with Global Supply Chain.

Drive the zone through Virtual Releases, Design Maturity (DM1-5) and Manufacturing Readiness.

Oversee the planning, budgeting, procurement and tracking of validation assets across your zone.

Skills

Required

Automotive program management
Engineering leadership
Cross-functional team leadership
Bill of Materials (BOM) management
Cost management
Supplier integration
Manufacturing readiness
Validation planning and execution
Technical decision making
Automotive systems knowledge

Nice to have

Experience in Underbody & Tech or Upper Body & Functions vehicle zones

What the JD emphasized

8+ years in automotive program management or engineering leadership

track record of supporting large-scale vehicle programs through launch

Proven ability to support a "Single Point Owner" (like an Assistant Chief Engineer) while independently driving large cross-functional teams

Deep understanding of automotive cost structures

Ability to drive technical decision making across multiple domains

High proficiency in the systems within your domain

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 Sr. Staff VLM is the primary execution lead for a specific vehicle zone (Underbody & Tech or Upper Body & Functions). You will serve as the "right hand" to the vehicle Chief Engineer (CE), translating high-level program goals into actionable execution plans. You are responsible for the cross-functional orchestration of engineering, supply chain, and manufacturing to ensure the zone meets its technical, financial, and timing milestones. Responsibilities CE Partnership & Execution: Operationalize the CE’s technical strategy by driving day-to-day execution across the zone. Ensure all subsystems are tracking toward program milestones Commercial & COGS Management: Own the "Ground Truth" of the zone’s Bill of Materials (BOM). Identify cost risks early and lead cost down initiatives to deliver the program target margin. Sourcing & Supplier Integration: Act as the primary liaison with Global Supply Chain. Ensure sourcing strategies align with technical requirements and that supplier timing is de-risked and integrated into the master schedule. Operational Readiness: Drive the zone through Virtual Releases, Design Maturity (DM1-5) and Manufacturing Readiness. You are responsible for end-to-end success of the zone, from design to manufacturing. Validation & Asset Coordination: Oversee the planning, budgeting, procurement and tracking of validation assets across your zone. Ensure full scope of testing is covered, from component to vehicle level validation. Establishing Product Vision: Translate high level business objectives into tangible and actionable product goals. Leverage benchmarking insights to inform domain strategy and drive innovation. Continuous Improvement: Refine and develop processes that eliminate duplication and accelerate progress, enhancing team performance, engagement, and customer satisfaction. Qualifications Experience: 8+ years in automotive program management or engineering leadership, with a track record of supporting large-scale vehicle programs through launch. Collaborative Leadership: Proven ability to support a "Single Point Owner" (like an Assistant Chief Engineer) while independently driving large cross-functional teams. Financial Acumen: Deep understanding of automotive cost structures, including piece price, tooling, and inbound logistics. Technical Breadth: Ability to drive technical decision making across multiple domains, guiding cross functional teams to resolve complex trade-offs. Zone Expertise: High proficiency in the systems within your domain (Underbody/Tech or Upper Body/Func) to effectively challenge technical assumptions when they impact COGS or timing. Pay Disclosure The salary range for this role is $196,000-245,000 for Southern 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). 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.