Sr. Robotics Automation Controls Engineer - Body R1
Rivian · Normal, IL
- Level
- Senior
- Team
- Controls
- Base pay
- $99k–$123k
- Experience asked
- 5+ years
- Industry
- Automotive
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A senior controls role at Rivian (automotive) in Normal, IL. Troubleshoot, improve, and add features to Robots to make them more user-friendly, intuitive and suitable for operating and troubleshooting equipment.
- They ask for
- 5+ years
- Tools it names
- Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ), Robotics, Automation, Painting / coating, EHS / safety
- Base pay
- $99k–$123k
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Controls Engineer roles in Illinois: typical posted base $89k–$133k. This one lists $99k–$123k.
Median of the low and high ends of 23 live postings that list pay, out of 33 controls engineer openings in Illinois, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Illinois plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 32 other live controls postings in Illinois.
- Base pay
- In line with similar roles
- Experience asked
- Typical (5+ years)
Typical $89k–$134k, from 22 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Automation 76%
- PLC 64%
- ✓ Robotics 45%
- ✓ Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 36%
- Root cause 36%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Controls team at Rivian
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- 2
Send a short, curious note
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Write to Peter → (free) - 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
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If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: Rivian in Normal
16 other open roles at this site · 1 person we found in controls roles at Rivian.
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- Maintenance Technician I (Battery & Stamping) · Reliability · Technician
Full description from RivianAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
responsibilities
will include troubleshooting production issues, training technicians, and deploying continuous improvement projects. You will collaborate with the Internal Rivian teams to refine standards and ensure all new equipment, including electrical design, software, robotics, and vision systems adheres to Rivian’s specifications. Additionally, you will lead detail-oriented equipment buy-offs during commissioning. Some of the Areas you could work in are Paint Shop, Body Shop, Drive Unit/Inverter, Battery, General Assembly. This role is located at our Normal, IL facility and reports directly to the Manager, Automation Controls Engineering.
Responsibilities
Participate in various controls equipment buy-offs at vendor sites and at Rivian’s factory in Normal, IL for FAT, SAT, and safety. Participate in development of controls standards and specifications by feeding back lessons-learned and gaps from each project to ensure that future projects will run smoother. Continuously improve the production lines by reducing cycle time, reducing downtime, and improving quality. Creating new programs for Process changes in the existing production lines adhered to the Rivian Standard. Maintain, modify, and properly version control equipment programs, configuration files, and documentation as changes are implemented. Add or remove network devices from the equipment as needed. Troubleshoot, improve, and add features to Robots to make them more user-friendly, intuitive and suitable for operating and troubleshooting equipment. Implement and make modifications to Robot logic for production and performance Ensure proper implementation and validation of Robot Safeties - DCS/ Ccbic-S Train Production and Maintenance teams in proper use of the equipment and troubleshooting.
Qualifications
To be considered for this position, all internal candidates must submit an updated resume highlighting their relevant skills, experiences, and accomplishments. Applications submitted without an updated resume will not be considered. Please ensure that your resume accurately reflects your
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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 Sr Automation Controls Engineer for Equipment Engineering are the production line experts for controls in the facility in Normal, IL. You will join a highly skilled team with diverse expertise across the entire controls automation spectrum. Your