Rivian · 7 hours ago
Sr. Battery Safety and Abuse Engineer, Thermal
US-CA-Tustin
Full-time
Onsite
Mid, Senior Level
$98K/yr - $123K/yr
5+ years expRivian is an automotive company focused on innovative battery solutions. They are seeking a Sr. Battery Safety and Abuse Engineer, Thermal to develop and execute advanced thermal safety and abuse testing for high-voltage battery systems, ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory standards.
AutomotiveElectric VehicleManufacturingTransportation
Responsibilities
Lead the planning, execution, and analysis of thermal safety and abuse tests on battery modules, packs, and components
Develop and refine test plans, procedures, and acceptance criteria in alignment with regulatory standards (e.g., UN38.3, FMVSS, IEC, UL) and Rivian’s internal safety requirements
Collaborate with design, validation, and safety engineering teams to define safety-critical requirements and ensure robust test coverage for new and existing battery architectures
Support Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA), Design Verification Plan & Report (DVP&R), and root cause investigations for safety-related incidents or test failures
Analyze test data, generate detailed technical reports, and present findings and recommendations to cross-functional stakeholders
Drive continuous improvement in test methodologies, documentation, and data quality for electrical abuse and safety testing
Mentor and train junior engineers and technicians in safe work practices, test execution, and data analysis
Support the development and commissioning of new test facilities, equipment, and instrumentation for advanced abuse testing
Participate in cross-functional development groups to drive new design innovations through testing and lessons learned
Stay current with industry trends, regulatory changes, and emerging best practices in battery safety and abuse testing
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering preferred; Electrical Engineering, or a related field acceptable with relevant experience
5+ years of relevant experience in battery safety, abuse testing, or high-voltage systems, preferably in the automotive or energy storage industry
Strong first principles understanding of battery failure modes, underlying physics, and governing equations
Hands-on experience with battery test equipment (test cyclers, isolation meters, high-speed DAQ, CAN tools, thermal chambers, etc.) and data analysis software
Familiarity with FMEA, DVP&R, and root cause analysis methodologies
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly document and present technical findings to diverse audiences
Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and learning agility
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
Willingness to work flexible hours and travel as needed (up to 30% domestic and international travel may be required)
Preferred
Experience with battery pack design, BMS, and integration in electric vehicles
Experience with thermal runaway propagation testing and mitigation strategies
Familiarity with advanced data analysis, scripting, or automation tools (e.g., Python, MATLAB, LabView, JMP)
Certification or advanced training in electrical safety (e.g., NFPA 70E, OSHA, or equivalent)
Prior experience working on heat transfer problems, combustion, gas flow analysis, energetic materials, or battery thermal abuse
Experience using statistical tools such as hypothesis testing, calculating sample sizes, and developing predictive numerical models
Benefits
Rivian provides robust medical/Rx, dental and vision insurance packages for full-time and part-time employees, their spouse or domestic partner, and children up to age 26.
Full Time Employee coverage is effective on the first day of employment.
Company
Rivian
Rivian is an automotive technology company that develops products and services to advance the shift to sustainable mobility.
10001+ employees
H1B Sponsorship
Rivian has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (38)
2024 (70)
2023 (54)
2022 (79)
2021 (21)
Funding
Current Stage
Public CompanyTotal Funding
$21.93BKey Investors
Volkswagen GroupUS Department of EnergyIllinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity
2025-06-30Post Ipo Equity· $1B
2024-11-25Post Ipo Debt· $6.6B
2024-05-02Grant· $827M
Leadership Team
Robert Scaringe
Chief Executive Officer
Claire McDonough
Chief Financial Officer
Recent News
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