Validation Engineer - Powertrain Rivian - 2.7 Plymouth, MI Job Details Full-time 8 hours ago Qualifications Quality control corrective actions Jira Laboratory testing protocol documentation Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering Experimental data reports Technical engineering Engineering equipment malfunctions diagnostics Content creation for technical audiences Defect resolution root cause analysis Data analysis reporting Requirements design Performance testing in mechanical engineering Test Case Documentation (Quality assurance practices) Technical documentation Bachelor of Science Defect analysis Engineering Mechanical Engineering Performance Reporting Equipment troubleshooting Mid-level Electronics test specifications Data summary reports Automotive component testing Schedule management High-voltage electrical systems Laboratory reports Bachelor's degree in engineering Production validation processes Continuous improvement Full Job Description In this role, you will join the Powertrain Engineering team to design, track, and execute robust validation strategies for our next-generation electric vehicle drive units. You will serve as the technical bridge between initial concepts, rig/dyno/vehicle testing, and full production launch. Operating in a fast-paced environment, you will be responsible for ensuring our electric propulsion systems meet the highest industry standards for durability, performance, and reliability. Test Planning & Strategy Own the

DVP&R:

Develop, maintain, and track end-to-end validation testing plans (DVP&R) for the electric powertrain system.

Define Engineering Requirements:

Formulate clear validation methods and technical requirements; leverage engineering calculations and simulations to establish baseline test parameters.

Standardize Testing Procedures:

Define highly detailed, specific test instructions for internal Test Operations, review complex test profiles, and serve as the final approval authority for all tests.

Test Execution & Lab Operations Drive Testing Milestones:

Collaborate daily with the Test Operations group to schedule, prioritize, and perform testing to meet aggressive vehicle program milestones.

Manage External & Supplier Labs:

Support external validation efforts, including hands-on management at supplier facilities and safely operating Rivian driveline systems.

Teardown & Diagnostics:

Guide the physical teardown of post-test parts and ensure rigorous visual and technical documentation.

Define Infrastructure:

Deliver comprehensive validation procedures that specify necessary test equipment, specialized apparatus, and physical testing locations.

Analysis, Lifecycle & Continuous Improvement Root Cause Analysis:

Lead thorough troubleshooting and failure investigations using structured Rivian methodologies; perform life and stress calculations on components to implement corrective design actions.

Data Analytics & Reporting:

Author professional, data-driven test reports to communicate analytics, capture results, and outline clear next steps for the engineering organization.

Lifecycle Management:

Utilize standard Rivian product lifecycle tools to manage and trace vehicle features seamlessly from initial design through to launch, steady-state production, and post-sales over-the-air (OTA) software updates.

Education:

B.S. in Engineering (Mechanical, Automotive, or a related technical discipline) or similar.

Experience:

2+ years of relevant engineering experience within the automotive or electric vehicle sector, preferred. 1-5 years of hands-on experience developing and implementing EV requirements and validation strategies, preferred.

Technical Domain Expertise:

Deep, fundamental understanding of electric powertrains, driveline systems, and high-voltage vehicle components. Full lifecycle mastery of system-level powertrain Design Validation (DV) and Production Validation (PV) environments. Proven experience working with full-service testing vendors, advanced dynamometers, and dyno-related data acquisition equipment. Familiarity with modern product lifecycle and tracking tools (e.g., Jira, Confluence, Jama, or equivalent) to monitor features and software updates.

Core Competencies:

Excellent problem-solving habits with a data-first approach to component diagnostics and failure analysis. High degree of flexibility and adaptability; comfortable operating under ambiguity in a highly dynamic, fast-paced work culture.