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 Structural Safety Engineer (CAE) plays a critical role in supporting structural analysis and optimization to enhance vehicle safety performance. This position involves conducting advanced CAE simulations, evaluating structural integrity, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive improvements in vehicle safety design. Operating with growing autonomy, the individual in this role applies domain expertise to solve complex engineering challenges, manages multiple deliverables, and actively contributes to improving CAE methodologies and processes. Responsibilities Perform structural analysis using CAE tools to assess vehicle and component performance against FMVSS, IIHS, NCAP, and other international safety regulations. Support the refinement and validation of structural designs by collaborating with design engineering, and functional groups. Develop, validate, and improve CAE models to enhance predictive accuracy and support data-driven decision-making. Contribute to the development and execution of virtual, component, and vehicle-level test plans in alignment with the Design Verification Plan (DVP). Analyze test and simulation results to identify structural design issues, provide recommendations, and communicate findings to relevant stakeholders. Independently manage assigned projects with multiple inputs and deliverables, ensuring timely completion and adherence to performance standards. Support the automation of CAE processes using scripting and programming to improve efficiency and analysis turnaround times. Provide technical insights to assist in instrumentation selection, pre-test predictions, post-test analysis, and CAE model correlation. Communicate progress, technical results, and areas for improvement effectively across teams while fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing. Qualifications Proficiency in structural analysis using CAE tools, particularly LS-Dyna. Strong understanding of automotive structural design principles, especially in structural safety applications. Ability to work independently on complex assignments while seeking guidance when necessary. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to identify patterns and develop strategies for improving safety performance. Effective communication skills to present technical findings to both technical and non-technical audiences. Proactive in identifying and advocating for necessary process improvements. Ability to collaborate cross-functionally and engage in open discussions to resolve challenges and drive innovation in vehicle safety engineering. Pay Disclosure The salary range for this role is $135,100-168,900 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). This job is not expected to be closed any sooner than March 27, 2026. 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.
Sr. Structural Safety Engineer (cae)
This role focuses on structural analysis and optimization for vehicle safety performance using CAE tools like LS-Dyna. It involves simulating structural integrity, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and improving CAE methodologies. The engineer will perform structural analysis against safety regulations, refine designs, validate CAE models, contribute to test plans, analyze results, manage projects, and support automation of CAE processes.
What you'd actually do
- Perform structural analysis using CAE tools to assess vehicle and component performance against FMVSS, IIHS, NCAP, and other international safety regulations.
- Support the refinement and validation of structural designs by collaborating with design engineering, and functional groups.
- Develop, validate, and improve CAE models to enhance predictive accuracy and support data-driven decision-making.
- Contribute to the development and execution of virtual, component, and vehicle-level test plans in alignment with the Design Verification Plan (DVP).
- Analyze test and simulation results to identify structural design issues, provide recommendations, and communicate findings to relevant stakeholders.
Skills
Required
- LS-Dyna
- structural analysis
- automotive structural design
- vehicle safety regulations (FMVSS, IIHS, NCAP)
- CAE model development and validation
- test plan development and execution
- data analysis and interpretation
- project management
- scripting and programming for automation
Nice to have
- Python
- MATLAB
What the JD emphasized
- Proficiency in structural analysis using CAE tools, particularly LS-Dyna.
- Strong understanding of automotive structural design principles, especially in structural safety applications.
- Ability to work independently on complex assignments while seeking guidance when necessary.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to identify patterns and develop strategies for improving safety performance.
- Effective communication skills to present technical findings to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Proactive in identifying and advocating for necessary process improvements.
- Ability to collaborate cross-functionally and engage in open discussions to resolve challenges and drive innovation in vehicle safety engineering.