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Sr. Sustaining Reliability Engineer

Rivian · Palo Alto, CA

Apply on Rivian ↗
Level
Senior
Team
Reliability
Base pay
$147k–$184k
Degree
Preferred
Industry
Automotive
Posted
16 days ago

The role in 30 seconds

A senior reliability role at Rivian (automotive) in Palo Alto, CA.

They ask for
degree preferred
Tools it names
Root cause, FMEA, Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ)
Base pay
$147k–$184k

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026

Reliability Engineer roles in California: typical posted base $115k–$169k. This one lists $147k–$184k.

Median of the low and high ends of 69 live postings that list pay, out of 147 reliability engineer openings in California, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.

California plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →

How this role compares

Against 146 other live reliability postings in California.

Base pay
About 16% above similar roles

Typical $115k–$169k, from 67 postings that list pay.

Experience asked
Not stated

Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.

Skills these teams ask for most

  • ✓ Root cause 71%
  • New product launch 41%
  • ✓ FMEA 40%
  • Automation 30%
  • ✓ Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 28%
  • Tooling 20%

✓ = 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. 1

    Pick 2–3 people on the Reliability team at Rivian

    Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.

  2. 2

    Send a short, curious note

    One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.

  3. 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. 4

    Apply with someone vouching for you

    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. 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 Palo Alto

1 other open role at this site.

Full description from RivianAs posted on their careers site.Show

Responsibilities

As a Sustaining Reliability Engineer, you will play a key role in maintaining the reliability of Rivian's HV Battery, Drive Unit, Low Voltage Electrical, and High Voltage Electrical systems from start of production through the product life cycle. Define and oversee ongoing reliability testing

requirements

for components, subsystems, and assemblies by leveraging established quality and reliability targets. Analyze Design and Production FMEAs to derive comprehensive ongoing reliability testing plans for serial production, ensuring sustained product reliability throughout the lifecycle. Collaborate with the reliability team to engineer accelerated test

requirements

that guarantee product quality and reliability across the entire production lifecycle. Develop and specify reliability validation plans for critical components and subsystems utilizing a robust physics-of-failure methodology. Determine optimal sample sizes and test durations for reliability validation programs using statistical analysis and reliability modeling. Lead root cause failure analysis (RCFA) for testing-related failures, driving cross-functional resolution and implementing corrective actions. Manage partnerships with internal and external testing facilities to execute and oversee complex ongoing reliability testing programs. Conduct ongoing risk assessments throughout the reliability program lifecycle and communicate findings clearly to stakeholders. Collaborate with Field Reliability and Failure Analysis teams to integrate critical lessons learned into future product designs and development cycles.

Show full description ↓

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 Reliability is at the core of Electric Adventure Vehicles. We are looking for engineers who have experience in driving reliability improvements for products in the field throughout their lifecycle by working closely with design, validation and manufacturing teams on solving technical problems along the way to make the most robust products. If some of the first things that come to your mind when looking at a complex design is “what are the ways this thing can fail and how can I make it better?” then, we are looking for you!

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