Rivian · 11 hours ago
Staff Safety Engineer, Crash Structures
US-CA-Irvine
Full-time
Onsite
Lead/Staff
$171K/yr - $214K/yr
15+ years expRivian is an automotive company focused on electric vehicles, and they are seeking a Staff Safety Engineer specializing in crash structures. This role involves defining and executing vehicle strategies to achieve superior crash performance while collaborating with cross-functional teams and mentoring engineering teams.
AutomotiveElectric VehicleManufacturingTransportation
Responsibilities
Lead strategy, concept, and execution for crash performance, influencing vehicle architecture and program decisions
Design, evaluate, and implement multiple validation methods, leveraging first principles, physical testing, CAE guidance, and cross-domain integration to optimize predictive accuracy and program efficiency
Develop vehicle-level integration plans, coordinating structures, and related domains
Utilize first principles, test, and CAE guidance to predict system-level behavior and evaluate design alternatives
Oversee component-, subsystem- and vehicle-level testing, ensuring proper build-up, instrumentation, and correlation with CAE predictions
Creation, review and management of safety hard points across all design phases
Define, execute, and refine test plans aligned with DVP and regulatory requirements and consumer protocol targets
Identify potential performance gaps, provide solutions, and balance trade-offs across safety, cost, HW domains, and program timelines
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure system-level optimization
Serve as technical authority for crash on all programs
Mentor engineering teams on system-level integration, method development, and crash strategy
Monitor global crash standards (FMVSS, UNECE, NCAP, IIHS) and integrate best practices into programs
Track and report program-level metrics, including first-pass performance, correlation accuracy, and method effectiveness
Deep expertise in vehicle crash performance, including load path design, energy management, and system interactions
Proven experience in system-level engineering and integration, connecting multiple vehicle domains for optimized crash performance
Strong background in vehicle build-up, testing, validation, and method design, leveraging CAE, first principles, and physical tests
Ability to innovate and develop new methods for validation, integration, and predictive modeling of crash performance
Strong problem-solving and trade-off analysis skills, balancing safety, performance, cost, and HW domains
Exceptional communication and influencing skills, able to present complex technical trade-offs to leadership and cross-functional stakeholders
Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams, drive decisions without direct authority, and manage multiple priorities
Proactive, results-driven, with a strategic mindset to anticipate challenges and ensure successful program outcomes
Strategic Thinking: Ability to think long-term and align integration efforts with broader company objectives and strategies
Influence: Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build consensus and advocate for the needs of the team and the business
Decisiveness: Capable of making high-impact decisions under pressure, balancing the needs of multiple stakeholders
Resilience: Able to navigate challenges and setbacks with composure, ensuring continued progress toward goals
Leadership: Motivated by high-quality delivery and capable of driving change and continuous improvement in integration processes
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field
15+ years experience in automotive safety, vehicle testing, or system integration
Ability to travel to vehicle and component launch locations
Proven project management experience, with expertise in tracking milestones, managing risks, and coordinating teams
Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to anticipate and address potential roadblocks in safety system development
Excellent communication and organizational skills, ensuring clear expectations and structured execution of safety initiatives
Preferred
Strong working knowledge of FMVSS, ECE, NCAP and other automotive safety evaluation preferred
Benefits
Rivian provides robust medical/Rx, dental and vision insurance packages for full-time employees, their spouse or domestic partner, and children up to age 26.
Coverage is effective on the first day of employment, and Rivian covers most of the premiums.
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 (31)
2024 (71)
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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