Hiring: Early Career - Validation Engineer, Vehicle Hardware Company: Rivian Location: Irvine, CA Job Posted Time: 2026-09-12 10:28:31 Employment Type: Full-time Target Skills & Keywords : CAD, Jira, R, Systems Design About the job Experience: •1-2+ years of experience in automotive (or closely related) requirements, validation, and/or mechanical system design, with significant exposure to strength, fatigue, and durability testing for structural and/or Exterior components. Required Skills: •Own vehicle hardware validation plans •Develop and manage comprehensive subsystem validation plans (DVPs) for Exteriors across specific vehicle programs, aligned to DFMEA and requirements. •Define verification strategies at system, subsystem, and component level, including ED/DV/MV coverage and build‑phase alignment. •Continuously improve test methods and coverage •Research and benchmark new industry validation methods; identify gaps in Rivian’s current portfolio and introduce new tests needed to achieve target vehicle performance for Exteriors and vehicle hardware. •Develop and revise Rivian Testing Standards (RTS), capturing lessons learned from previous test programs. •Lead vendor collaboration and on‑site execution •Work closely with external test labs to quote, source, plan, and schedule validation testing to meet program budgets, maturity needs, and timing milestones (SVP/IVP/CVP/FVP). Qualifications: •Partner with CAE and DREs to link physical validation to analytical predictions and regulatory/certification requirements. •Bachelor’s or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field; advanced degree a plus. Compensation: •$85,400 - $94,900 / year •The successful candidate may be eligible for annual performance bonus and equity awards Interested candidates, please apply directly through the job posting on company's career page or try via AI auto apply on this platform. Don't miss this opportunity to join a forward-thinking team!