Battery Test and Validation Engineer II, Safety and Abuse
Rivian · Tustin, CA
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Quality
- Travel
- 30%
- Degree
- Preferred
- Experience asked
- 2+ years
- Industry
- Automotive
- Posted
- 29 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level quality role at Rivian (automotive) in Tustin, CA.
- They ask for
- 2+ years · degree preferred
- Tools it names
- Root cause, Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ), Automation, EHS / safety
- Day to day
- about 30% travel
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Quality Engineer roles in California: typical posted base $100k–$149k.
Median of the low and high ends of 89 live postings that list pay, out of 189 quality 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 188 other live quality postings in California.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (2+ vs 5+)
Typical $100k–$148k, from 87 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Root cause 77%
- FMEA 54%
- Supplier quality 49%
- ✓ Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 46%
- AS9100 43%
- ISO 9001 39%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for EHS / safety, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with 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 Quality team at Rivian
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- 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.
Write to Oren → (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?
- Which standards drive the work here: ISO 13485, IATF 16949, AS9100?
- How much of the job is customer complaints versus prevention?
- The posting says about 30% travel. Between which sites?
- 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 Tustin
2 other open roles at this site · 1 person we found in quality roles at Rivian.
- Sr. Battery Equipment Calibration and Maintenance Technician · Quality · Technician
- Battery Test and Validation Engineer II, Dynamics and Structural · Quality
Full description from RivianAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
Plan, execute, and analyze safety and abuse tests on battery modules, packs, and components, ensuring test plan alignment with the domain owner’s objectives 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
Analyze test data, generate detailed technical reports, and conduct post-test reviews with cross-functional teams Implement opportunities for continuous improvement in test methodologies, documentation, and data quality Stay current with industry trends, regulatory changes, and emerging best practices in battery safety and abuse testing.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering preferred; related field acceptable with relevant experience 2+ years of related experience Strong first principles understanding of underlying physics and governing equations in heat transfer and electrical domains Hands-on experience with battery test equipment (test cyclers, isolation meters, high-speed DAQ, CAN tools, thermal chambers, etc.) and data analysis software Excellent written and verbal communication skills 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)
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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 As a Battery Test and Validation Engineer II (Safety and Abuse) within Rivian’s Battery Test and Validation team, you will focus on ensuring our high-voltage battery systems meet strict safety, reliability, and regulatory standards. In this role, you will help establish and validate the boundaries of our technology, collaborating across engineering teams to execute, analyze, and continuously optimize advanced abuse test methodologies. You will own the execution of critical test streams that evaluate battery packs, modules, and sub-systems under abuse conditions. From short circuits and thermal runaway events to regulatory and material testing, you will play a hands-on role in root-cause investigations and safety countermeasure development, helping turn complex test data into clear learnings that keep our vehicles safe